Bethesda unions mobilize protests against Xbox layoffs with ‘Save Our Devs’ rally
Bethesda Game Studios’ union members are organizing a ‘Save Our Devs’ protest across ZeniMax offices in Rockville, Austin, Dallas, and Montreal on July 15 in response to Microsoft/Xbox’s announced 3,200 layoffs (1,600 immediate). Union leaders say about 440 positions across Bethesda Game Studios, ZeniMax Online, id Software, ZeniMax Workers United, and ZeniMax corporate are affected and insist they must bargain over the reductions, seeking preferential transfers, stronger severance, extended healthcare, and recall rights. The move comes amid morale declines and concerns for projects like The Elder Scrolls VI, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma also co-leading a U.S. Fed productivity task force on employment.