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WARN Notices Confirm 379 ZeniMax Layoffs as Bethesda Union Plans Protests

The filings deepen questions about Xbox's divisional 'reset' by prompting OneBGS to demand formal effects bargaining to protect displaced workers.

Overview

  • Maryland and Texas WARN Act notices published July 9–10 show 379 layoffs across ZeniMax entities, listing 213 cuts at ZeniMax Online and 166 at ZeniMax Media.
  • OneBGS, the Bethesda Game Studios union, has scheduled 'Save Our Devs' marches for July 15 at Rockville, Austin, Dallas and Montreal to protest the job losses.
  • Reporting and union data indicate ZeniMax Online has lost roughly 275 staff since July 2025, a drop of more than 60 percent, and id Software has been sharply reduced.
  • The union says Microsoft is legally required to engage in 'Effects Bargaining' and will demand preferential transfers into open roles, stronger severance, extended healthcare and recall rights for laid-off members.
  • Xbox leadership says the cuts are part of a broader reset that will reduce up to 3,200 roles and pivot resources to franchises, a shift that could prompt studio sales, project slowdowns and further workforce changes.