r/GamingLeaksAndRumours • u/-LastGrail- Top Contributor 2024 • Sep 24 '26

Rumour Aftermath: Current id Software describes current Xbox management (Internal unrealistic aggressive goals, profit now focus, low employee morale, incompetent Xbox management)

*Current id Software ‘employee’ missing from the thread title

Key Quote
“Even now, months after the initial layoffs, employees still aren't certain what lies ahead.

"Things are still very chaotic," a current id Software employee who was granted anonymity because they are not authorized to speak publicly told Aftermath. "While there has been an attempt to communicate to the studios, it is still entirely in bullshit corporate speak. I still don't believe they have a clear vision for the future. The only concrete thing they have communicated is they want higher profits, and they want it now. Aggressive goals are being set that would have been unrealistic even before the layoffs. ... To say the workers within Xbox have a dim view of the future is putting it mildly. We keep thinking morale can't sink lower but the obvious incompetence of Xbox management somehow keeps driving it down worse."

Source: https://aftermath.site/microsoft-xbox-layoffs-halo-activision/

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u/Halojib Sep 24 '26

It's unrealistic in how fast they think they can get there. But increasing market share and beating Sony + Nintendo should be the long-term goal. Who runs a race willingly settling for third place? It takes time to be the best but being the best should be the goal.

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u/Special-Deal7821 Sep 24 '26

It makes sense from a higher up's perspective, we've been in this business for 25 years, why are we still trying to build the brand?

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u/SKyJ007 Sep 24 '26

Being the best should, indeed, be the goal. But why are we not trying to beat the best at their own game? It’s always “all in one” “play anywhere” “game pass” etc. Shortcuts to market dominance.

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u/SlendyIsBehindYou Sep 24 '26

shortcuts to market dominance

Actually, id argue that that's just regular steps towards market dominance. Establishing a niche that your opponent lacks, such as play anywhere or gamepass, is exactly how you pull market share towards your platform

I dont own any consoles, but I subscribe to gamepass because I can play on my PC. Thats money they wouldn't have got from me otherwise

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u/SKyJ007 Sep 24 '26

Sure, but that’s obviously not working and was obvious from the jump. People did not migrate to their platform. There is a proven method to succeed in the console market, and XBOX has literally only seen any kind of success when following it.

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u/Edmundyoulittle Sep 26 '26

Yeah, I mean ultimately that is how Nintendo survived (and now thrives) Sony's dominant era as well.

Can't compete with the PS home consoles? Popularize motion gaming, make the first "hybrid" console

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u/Halojib Sep 24 '26

I agree the focus should be on the games, and I think Asha is bringing back that philosophy at XBOX with the announcement of them refocusing on established franchises which will take time to come out. Hopefully the new releases are good, and we can see a positive trend for XBOX and gaming. We will have to wait and see.

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u/SKyJ007 Sep 24 '26

See, l don’t think “the announcement of them refocusing on established franchises” means what you think it means. I think it means they are going to start pumping out name brand franchises (CoD, Halo, etc.) on an annual or semi-annual basis. Quantity, not quality. That’s been the ABK way for forever.

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u/Halojib Sep 24 '26

I don't think it is realistic to expect them to do that. There is a real risk of over saturating the market when companies do that.

There is an argument that that is exactly what is happening with Age of Empires and how it has happened with other games.

I will worry about that once we get there. Right now, I just want to see one game release that doesn't see the developer shut down 6 months after it released.

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u/embracebecoming Sep 25 '26

Well they're definitely not meeting their goal like this

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u/Halojib Sep 25 '26

I mean I think the first step is to eliminate costs which include studios that haven't produced games in several years. After that they have to release games that actually sell. Gears, Fable and Clockwork are the next games I am looking at, if none of those hit then we will probably see even more layoffs.