DIGIVESTASI - Microsoft has announced plans to lay off 1,900 employees in its gaming division. The layoffs are a result of Microsoft's acquisition of gaming company Activision Blizzard.  CNBC International reported the layoff plan based on an internal memo. 

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer explained that the layoffs were part of a larger plan. By reducing headcount, Microsoft hopes to avoid duplication of employees at Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming. Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra said he has left the company, as has Blizzard co-founder Allen Adham. 

Spencer emphasized that Microsoft will provide comprehensive support to dismissed employees, including severance benefits. The amount varies depending on the place of work.  

Activision Blizzard is the creator and publisher of well-known games such as Call of Duty and Diablo. The company also has a mobile gaming unit called King, known for the Candy Crush Saga games. Microsoft has merged Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $69 billion (Rs 1.92 trillion). This is double the value compared to when Microsoft acquired LinkedIn.

In the first weeks of 2024, the world's tech giants announced massive layoffs. However, most of these layoffs are not related to mergers and acquisitions, such as Microsoft's layoffs. Google has announced layoffs in several departments as part of an efficiency plan announced last year.

Later, eBay announced it would lay off 1,000 employees. German software company SAP has announced a restructuring that includes layoffs of 8,000 employees. Riot Games, TikTok, and Tencent-owned Discord also announced layoffs.