Bethesda Devs Rally Against Mass Layoffs With Giant Inflatable Rat

Bethesda Game Studios Union members protested during a visit by Microsoft leadership, installing a giant inflatable rat (Scabby) outside the Rockville office and 800 red flags—one for each person laid off since July 2025—to highlight mass layoffs totaling about 1,600 with another 1,600 expected this year. The stunt follows broader Xbox layoffs (~3,200 under the “great reset”) and precedes Aug. 18 rallies with the CWA demanding fair contracts and layoff protections for union members.