Microsoft Cuts Over 400 Union-Represented Roles Across Bethesda, ZeniMax and id Software

Microsoft initiated mass layoffs the prior week affecting over 400 union-represented jobs across studios it owns, including Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax, and id Software. The Communications Workers of America (CWA) says the cuts have decimated teams at those legendary game studios and will hurt game quality and release schedules. Unionised Microsoft workers organised coordinated rallies on July 15 at six locations including Microsoft's Redmond campus, ZeniMax studios in Austin and Rockville, id Software in Dallas, Obsidian in Irvine, and a rally in Montreal in response to the layoffs. Modders and supporters have been adding pro-union logos and protest signs to Bethesda games as a show of solidarity with affected employees and to raise awareness of the CWA actions.

Microsoft Corporation cut 400 jobs affecting its Union-represented employees at Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax, id Software (game development teams) team as of July 8, 2026.

That is roughly 0.2% of the 228,000 people Microsoft Corporation employs.

LayoffTalk has tracked 53 layoff events at Microsoft Corporation since January 2023, including 4,067 jobs documented in official WARN filings, with 39 additional events known from news reporting.