Microsoft’s recent layoffs have drawn sharp criticism from game developers, who are calling it a “colossal waste of talent.” Many industry veterans have taken to social media to express their frustration over the layoffs, which reportedly targeted many workers within Microsoft’s gaming department despite the company posting substantial profits.

Eric Neustadter, VP of technology at The Pokémon Company, remarked, “It’s heartbreaking to watch what’s happening to this industry that I love. The incentives are misaligned so strongly that fun games and profitable teams aren’t what matter.”

John Epler, a narrative director, echoed the sentiment, stating that this is the worst moment he’s witnessed in the industry over 18 years. Rami Ismail added that there must be a better way than to continuously harm so many people.

Emma Kidwell highlighted the industry’s current trajectory by stating that it could turn her into “the joker.”

Additional concerns were raised by Chandana Ekanayake, who described the layoffs as a reflection of poor management decisions aiming for short-term gains at talent’s expense. Seamus Blackley, the mastermind behind the original Xbox, criticized Microsoft’s focus on immediate numbers over long-term success.

These perspectives shed light on the overarching issue many developers see: a gaming industry ensnared in a cycle of endless growth expectations.