Xbox FanFest Architect Cut as Microsoft Scales Back After Revival

Microsoft laid off Chris Munson, the longtime marketer who pitched and launched Xbox FanFest, as part of a broader round of cuts totaling about 1,600 employees. The layoffs come after Microsoft revived Xbox FanFest in Los Angeles earlier in 2026 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Xbox and Halo, an event that included fans receiving a translucent green Xbox Series X. Munson announced his departure on LinkedIn, calling it the end of an era, while the FanFest slate for 2026 is expected to continue across the globe later in the year.