Wed, May 06, 2009 | 19:29 BST
Microsoft cuts 75% of staff at its Massive in-game ad division
Microsoft has made 75 percent of its staff at Massive redundant.
Around 100 people were let go from the in-game ad firm, which was purchased by Microsoft in 2006.
In order to reduce costs, 3000 other staffers were let go yesterday which adds to the 1400 back in January when staff from ACE, Rare and Windows Live were culled.
5000 cuts have been planned so far, but reports say more may be necessary.
More over on GI.biz.
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Posted in: Development, Games for Windows, Jobs, Microsoft, Trade, Xbox 360
Tags: ace, massive, microsoft layoffs, rare
6 comments
#1
jnms
06/05/09, 8:12 pm
And people think we have got through the worst of the recession?
#2
Seraphemz
06/05/09, 8:29 pm
Is it the recession or is it the product they are producing not selling ?
#3
Psychotext
06/05/09, 8:44 pm
Massive sells ad space… and of course, as belts get tightened, advertising budgets drop.
#4
Seraphemz
06/05/09, 8:48 pm
advertising ‘ in games ‘ I mean really? Did people really think that it was going to be that great of an idea?
#5
Gamoc
06/05/09, 8:49 pm
Advertising is games is a great idea.
#6
Michael O'Connor
06/05/09, 8:52 pm
“advertising ‘ in games ‘ I mean really? Did people really think that it was going to be that great of an idea?”
Dependent on the game, some titles have had up to 30% of its userd enquire about the products advertised in the game, so yeah, I’d say it’s quite effective.