Shaun Noguchi, president of EA Japan, has publicly criticized Microsoft following its recent large-scale layoffs. Noguchi expressed deep disappointment with the decision, which has sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry.

Recent reports confirmed Microsoft's plans to reduce its workforce by 4%, potentially impacting up to 9,000 employees across various divisions. The layoffs have reportedly led to the cancellation of several high-profile projects, including Rare's Everwild and the Forza Motorsport series. Additionally, Romero Games has allegedly shut down after losing project funding, and even Halo Studios appears to have been affected.

In a post on X, Noguchi criticized Microsoft's approach, stating: "In recent years, foreign-affiliated companies have increasingly prioritized short-term results from large investments. Many change direction prematurely to satisfy shareholder expectations. We believe this situation stems from such structural issues."

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Noguchi emphasized the negative impact these layoffs and project cancellations will have on both developers and gamers. He shared his personal distress as an industry leader: "The game industry thrives because of the dedicated creators and staff who pour their passion into development. As someone in the same field, I feel profound sorrow about this decision. It's heartbreaking that projects developed over years won't reach players, and fans will never experience what they were anticipating."

The gaming industry has faced significant challenges in recent years regarding job stability. Layoffs have become increasingly common, creating uncertainty for developers. Even EA has experienced workforce reductions this year, with Codemasters, Respawn Entertainment, and BioWare all implementing staff cuts in 2025.