After Microsoft closes Tango Gameworks and three other studios, former Blizzard CEO comes to Phil Spencer’s defense and says that no one is sadder than him
8 May
2024
– 1:06 p.m.
(updated at 3:30 p.m.)
The announcement that Microsoft closed four studios, including Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin, was a huge blow to the games industry. And although many people criticized the company’s decision to close game studios as Hi-Fi Rush It is Dishonoredthere were those who came to Phil Spencer’s defense.
Photo: Wikipedia Creative Commons/eVRydayVR / Canaltech
Former Blizzard CEO Mike Ybarra took to social media to try to appease the fury of Xbox fans who blamed Spencer for the closure of the producers and the resulting layoffs. In a post on
The closure of Tango Gameworks, responsible for Hi-Fi Rush, was very bad for Microsoft (Image: André Magalhães/Screenshot/Canaltech)
Photo: Canaltech
“I can’t speak for all the leadership there, but I know him and I know what he’s probably going through,” says the former CEO who left Blizzard in January of this year. Despite this, he claims to understand the community’s anger and confusion and that he also feels sorry for all the professionals impacted not only by this dismissal and who add to the more than 2 thousand employees laid off from Microsoft since the beginning of 2024.
“I’m not trying to defend decisions. I think we all get into difficult and unexpected situations (I’ve certainly been there). It’s part of the job, as is the responsibility for the results. But he’s a good human being and cares deeply with the creative process and the developers. This is my first-hand experience working closely with him for over eight years and knowing him for over 24.”
The message generated a lot of outrage, with many people questioning Ybarra’s position, claiming that he preferred to defend an executive friend of his than the hundreds of developers who lost their jobs overnight.
Phil Spencer would be one of the most dissatisfied and bothered by the layoffs (Image: Reproduction/Microsoft)
Photo: Canaltech
Phil Spencer’s defense didn’t go well
“I don’t doubt that he [Phil Spencer] I’m really upset about all this, but CEOs can handle some criticism while people have their lives destroyed,” responds Sony Santa Monica writer and designer Alanah Pearce. “Your supportive posts should be directed exclusively to those who have lost their jobs.
Other answers are a little more acidic. “Could someone please think about the executive who earns US$10 million a year?” quips one user.
Source: https://twitter.com/Qwik/status/1787914959541911727
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