Amazon Lays Off Employees in its Video Games Division

E-commerce giant Amazon has recently laid off employees in its video games division.

The company reportedly let go about 100 employees in its gaming division as part of its broader cutbacks, affecting workers at Prime Gaming, Game Growth, and the company’s San Diego studio, an offering targeted at members of Amazon’s mainstay loyalty program.

The vice president of Amazon Games, Christoph Hartmann wrote in a companywide memo,

Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate which begins April 8, 2023, and own a piece of Africa’s finest startups. By joining, you attend Tekedia Venture Investing and Portfolio Management program at no additional cost. John here.

Tekedia Mini-MBA (June 5 – Sept 2 2023) opens NEW registrations; beat early bird deadline of April 4 for discounts by registering here

After evaluating our current projects against our long-term goals, the Games leadership team made the difficult decision to eliminate just over 100 roles across Prime Gaming, Game Growth, and in our San Diego studio, while also reassigning some employees to other projects that match our strategic focus.

Each employee whose role has been eliminated should now have a live meeting scheduled this morning so we can discuss these changes directly and give each employee an opportunity to ask questions. There is never a pleasant way to share this sort of news, but we are committed to treating our impacted employees with empathy and respect and will support them by offering them severance pay, health insurance benefits, outplacement services, and paid time to conduct their job search.

Going forward, our resources will be aligned to support our focus on content. We will continue to invest in our internal development efforts, and our teams will continue to grow as our projects progress: The New World team in Irvine will grow as we shift some resources to further support its continued development”.

The layoff comes as Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has moved to rein in costs across the company.

The news is also coming just weeks after Amazon outlined plans to slash 9,000 positions, including some at the livestreaming service Twitch. Amazon’s video games division has experienced some turnover among its top ranks. Mike Frazzini, who helped launch Amazon’s game studios, stepped down last March.

And in January, John Smedley, who headed up Amazon Games’ San Diego studio, exited the company.

It is interesting to note that Amazon’s history in video games is riddled with expensive failures.

Since its launch in 2013, Amazon Games has struggled to produce a hit despite several published projects, and the company luring top talent from the likes of Sony Online Entertainment.

The company’s only significant game to hit the market, a racing game based on the TV series The Grand Tour, flopped so badly that Amazon removed it from digital shelves a year after its release.

According to Bloomberg, Amazon spends about £500 million per year on its games division.

Share this:

Like this:

Like Loading…

a2z-airport-parking listed on couponmatrix.ukeasirent listed on couponmatrix.ukebc-brakes-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukenglish-heritage listed on couponmatrix.ukwe-buy-any-car listed on couponmatrix.ukwoburn-safari-park listed on couponmatrix.uk
a2z-airport-parking listed on couponmatrix.ukA2Z Airport Parking is the best way to save on airport parking. Parking services are available at all major airports including Heathrow, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester. You can choose from short term, long term, and valet parking. We also have a shuttle service to and from the airport. A2Z Airport Parking is the most convenient and affordable way to park at the airport, use our A2Z Airport Parking promo codes to save even more money on your trip. At Groupon, we know that saving money is important to our customers. That's why we work hard to find the best A2Z Airport Parking discount codes and discounts for parking. We want to help you save money on your next airport parking purchase, whether you're looking for a deal on long-term airport parking or just need a quick promo code for a one-time stay, we've got you covered. A2Z Airport Parking offers a variety of parking options at all major airports in the United Kingdom. The most popular option is our short term parking. This is perfect for those who are picking up or dropping off passengers. It's also great for those who are in a hurry and don't need to park for a long period of time. A2Z Airport Parking is the most convenient and affordable way to park at the airport. Use our A2Z Airport Parking promo codes for the best deal today. What are you waiting for?
easirent listed on couponmatrix.ukMillions of cars are at your disposal when you choose Easirent for car hire, so whether for business or leisure you’ll have a mode of transport to fit in perfectly with your schedule at a minimal cost. When you make your Easirent booking, be sure to apply an Easirent promo code to lower the price of your hire, leaving you to sit back and enjoy the ride, stress-free!
ebc-brakes-direct listed on couponmatrix.ukEBC Brakes Direct is a leading retailer of quality brakes and pads. With an extensive knowledge of the braking industry, you know you’re bagging a bargain on tried and tested equipment with the latest EBC Brakes Direct promotional code. With a variety of products including pads, lines and kits at your disposal, you can find everything you need for your vehicle's brakes at EBC Brakes Direct. Groupon is committed to finding the best EBC Brakes Direct deals for our customers. Whether you're looking for a new set of brake pads or a complete brake kit, we can help you find the best deal. Check back often for newest EBC Brakes Direct deals and get even better value on the brakes you need. There are brakes for both cars and motorbikes available online, so you can get the stopping power you need regardless of if you ride on four wheels or two. EBC Brakes Direct offers a wide range of products for all types of vehicles. Check out the Balanced Big Brake Kit for a comprehensive collection of braking essentials. For track days and race use, this brake kit offers high performance at an affordable price - especially when bought with the latest EBC Brakes Direct discount code! With each kit including a disk, calipers, rotors and pads, it sports all you need to boost your braking power.
english-heritage listed on couponmatrix.ukEngland is home to some spectacular heritage. From Stonehenge to Hadrian's Wall, Dover Castle to palaces and statues, English Heritage allows you to visit this remarkable country through the ages. With 66 castles, 84 ecclesiastical sites, 23 historic gardens, 27 forts and defences, 6 historical bridges and much much more, use your English Heritage discount code to discover something remarkable near you without breaking the bank. Love England with English Heritage.
we-buy-any-car listed on couponmatrix.ukDon’t let your tired, old C1 or Ford Fiesta sit in a garage – sell it through We Buy Any Car for a cash payment in less than an hour! Enter your registration on the website to get a free valuation and then book an appointment at a branch that is usually just 13 minutes away. Sell your car with convenience and use a We Buy Any Car voucher code to land the best deal with a four-day price guarantee. We Buy Any Car will purchase vehicles in any condition and with any mileage, so sell over the website to get your car taken off your hands without the haggle.
woburn-safari-park listed on couponmatrix.ukYou can meet over 1,000 animals when you visit Woburn Safari Park, including lions, tigers and even bears. It’s a great place for a family day out packed with hours of fun in a beautiful environment. Your Woburn Safari Park vouchers will let you drive down the road with lions, feed nectar to colourful parrots, experience great keeper talks, and so much more. Woburn Safari Park is also committed to wildlife conservation and is internationally recognised for its efforts, so you can enjoy the park with full peace of mind that the animals are well cared for.