Following strong financial performance in its gaming division, Microsoft is taking a machete to its work force and its future as a serious competitor. Is this the brand’s Red Ring of Death? Also, Bungie runs from Marathon, Warner Bros. goes all-in on safe IP, and the labor report hurts even more than usual.

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TIME STAMPS

• [00:03:59] – Sony Games & Network Services Update
• [00:16:09] – Marathon Delayed Indefinitely
• [00:27:51] – Sony Brings Four Games Back to 177 Countries
• [00:30:18] – Cleer Arc 3 Gaming Review
• [00:37:52] – Investment Interlude
• [00:42:27] – Quick Hits
• [00:59:46] – Labor Report

SOURCES

• Game & Network Services Segment | Sony
• Marathon Development Update | Bungie
• Sony removes regional restrictions on four of its biggest games on Steam | PC Gamer
• Tencent owns 15% of Helldivers 2 studio Arrowhead, it has emerged | VGC

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Sensor Tower Acquires Playliner to Expand Live Ops Intelligence Across Mobile Gaming | Sensor Tower
• Warner Bros. Games Restructures Into Divisions Based on ‘Game of Thrones,’ Harry Potter, ‘Mortal Kombat’ and DC Universe  | Variety

LABOR REPORT

• Microsoft Begins Deep Job Cuts Across Xbox Division | Bloomberg (Paywall)
• Microsoft to lay off as many as 9,000 employees in latest round | Seattle Times
• Lost Records and Jusant developer Don’t Nod is laying off staff | Eurogamer
• Bloodlines 2 developer The Chinese Room has laid off employees, but Paradox says the game is still coming in October | PC Gamer
• Hypixel Studios has Canceled Hytale and Will Wind Down | Hypixel Studios on Twitter
• MindsEye Developer Build a Rocket Boy Begins Layoff Process Amid Disastrous Launch, Studio Sources Say | IGN
• MindsEye Dev’s UK Workforce of Around 300 Receive At-Risk Emails as Former GTA Lead Leslie Benzies Finally Addresses Staff | IGN
• Cyan Worlds Has Gone Through Another Round of Layoffs | Cyan Worlds on Bluesky
• Studio Camelia has Closed | Studio Camelia on LinkedIn
• Star Wars: Hunters Publisher Shutters Studio Founded by Torchlight, Diablo Creator Before It Could Announce Its New Game | IGN
• People Can Fly Undergoes Layoffs | People Can Fly on LinkedIn
• Major layoffs at Playtika with up to 160 jobs cut on Best Fiends and Redecor teams | MobileGamer.biz
• Subway Surfers Blast developer Outplay Entertainment has laid off 21 workers | Game Developer
• RuneScape studio Jagex lays off an undisclosed number of ‘non-player facing’ staff | Game Developer
• Cult of the North Shutting Down | Adam Schaub on LinkedIn
• Report: Return to Moria developer Free Range Games lays off 80 people | Game Developer
• Sony is making layoffs at Days Gone developer Bend Studio | Game Developer
• French court convicts ex-Ubisoft bosses for workplace harassment | AFP
• Video Game Workers Reach Historic Tentative Contract Agreement with Microsoft | CWA