Layoffs Slice Into Microsoft’s Gaming Operations

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Layoffs Slice Into Microsoft’s Gaming Operations

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The first wave of Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) layoffs has cut across the company’s various game-related divisions, and the first high-level casualty is Chris Early, GM of Games for Windows Live, according to VentureBeat. The online gaming service is the PC-based counterpart to Xbox Live; it lets players access their unique handle (or Gamertag), high scores and other stats, as well as find and communicate with other players.

The big difference is that Games for Windows Live lets players battle for free, while multi-player gaming on Xbox Live can cost at least $50 annually. And with Microsoft in cost-cutting mode, it’s not clear whether Games for Windows Live will be scaled down in the coming months.

Microsoft also shut down ACES, the studio behind its long-running Flight Simulator title, let go of the bloggers behind its Xbox-centered Gamerscore blog (per Kotaku), and fired about 30 percent of its game testers (also via VentureBeat). The company plans to lay off as many as 5,000 employees by June 2010; these moves came as part of an initial round of 1,400 cuts.

Photo Credit: Gamerscoreblog

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Tameka Kee

@GeekyChic Jan 25, 2009 10:15 PM ET

Posted In: Entertainment, Gaming, Jobs & Layoffs, Companies, Microsoft, layoffs, xbox live

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Tameka Kee

Couldn't include the links in the previous post. Here's the Buy.com card:

http://www.buy.com/prod/Xbox-360-Live-3-Month-Gold-Subscription-Card/q/loc/108/201975284.html

Tameka Kee

Thanks for the attention to detail, Jonathan—but I was referring to the average price for a year-long subscription card across multiple retailers, not just Amazon or Walmart.

Family Video, for example, shows a 12-month card for $48, and Buy.com has a 3-month card for about $20.

If someone bought four of 3-month cards to cover a full year (not economical, but not unheard of, either) they'd actually be spending $80. That's why I said "at least."

Jonathan

Do your fact finding Tameka. Xbox live costs $40 annually now, not "At least $50" - and what is up with the "At least" - it ONLY costed $50 annually before, no additional charges . . .

Also, last week Amazon.com sold xbox live 12 month subscriptions for $29, while Walmart had the same offering.

http://talkingaboutgames.com/news/xbox360/3118-xbox-live-subscription-cards-29-at-amazon-for-a-13-month-subscription