Staff reductions at Microsoft spread to Xbox Europe

The staff cuts being made by Microsoft have spread to its EMEA team, according a sources familiar with the company.

Speaking with MCV, the source stated that 75% of full time Xbox EMEA positions in Reading were being culled, with 25% of the remaining roles open. Employees will need to reapply for the positions which remain.

The UK Xbox was reduced by 10% with all contractor roles cut, and when contacted by MCV regarding the cuts, Microsoft would not confirm or deny the figures.

A spokesperson the site spoke with stated the redundancies would not affect the September launch of Xbox One in an 13 European countries.

“We eliminated a number of EMEA roles in the UK to gain efficiency,” said the spokesperson. “We remain very committed to the market and will continue to support our local development teams.

"We believe that the UK has exceptional games industry talent and we’ll continue to focus on game creation in the through Microsoft Studios like Rare, Lionhead Studios, Lift London and Soho Productions."

Microsoft announced earlier this week it would cut 18,000 jobs at the company, with the Nokia division taking the brunt.

It was announced yesterday Microsoft would close its Xbox Entertainment Studios division, which handled original TV programming for the consoles.

Remedy’s TV and game hybrid Quantum Break is in continued development, as is the company’s live-action Halo series which is being produced by Steven Spielberg’s Amblin TV and will air both on Xbox One and Showtime.