Microsoft Layoffs Strike Xbox Division & Gamerscoreblog
Most of you have heard or were told that the gaming industry is somehow immune to the struggles of our economy but as it turns out, what you heard wasn’t true.
Recently Microsoft announced a layoff of about 5,000 employees and I’ve learned this morning that it affected some people that I know personally. Part of the Gamescoreblog team felt the hammer as Tony Hynes, Chris Paladino and Nelson Rodriguez (Inside Xbox’s Pick Up & Play) lost their jobs.
I hope everyone losing their jobs during this rough time land on their feet. If U360 were a business and could offer employment, then I’d definitely try to help out. The Gamerscoreblog team supported my efforts here tremendously so I wanted to send a big thanks to the crew for what they’ve done and what I’m sure they’ll continue to do. It seems like only yesterday we were all kicking it on the GSB Road Tour.
There’s no news yet as to whether or not anyone else from the Xbox Division will be let go. The usual suspects (TriXie, Major Nelson) are still around. And don’t worry, I’m not going to lay myself off so you’re stuck with me for a little while longer here.
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:48 am
Really hate to hear that. One thing to close down the site and all, but I was hoping they would still be around at least on Xbox.Com and Inside Xbox. I sure hope they find something quick and wish them all the best. Times are tough and I myself have been wondering if the hammer will fall at my location. So far I’m lucky and still have my job.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:18 pm
looks like another of my good friends, Tony Hynes, was also part of the unfortunate cut.
January 23rd, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Just pure ignorant of Microsoft to get rid of experienced, intelligent people who are in the know-how of gaming… instead of clueless, uninteresting, simpletons such as TriXie & Major Nelson.
Just pathetic!!!
More facts as in the direction Microsoft is headed, & I told people about all that is happening. I knew the economy will affect gaming, & I knew Microsoft will rather cater to casuals than the hardcore gamers out there.
In your face disbelievers!
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Layoffs suck. I got laid off on Dec 13. Happened before in 2002. It’s cyclical, but it does suck.
January 23rd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
Can that f-in hag TriXie, maybe it will spur her to go on a diet. Same goes for Major Nelson. Gamers don’t relate to an early greying dude who looks like a GameStop manager.
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Yeh i just really hope we start on the turnaround soon and start seeing improvement slowly instead of just a constant decline. best luck to everyone out there
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
“Yeh i just really hope we start on the turnaround soon and start seeing improvement slowly instead of just a constant decline. best luck to everyone out there”
Amen to that…
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:26 pm
That sucks but what sucks even worse are the dumb ass people who talk trash about Trixie and Major. Thats uncalled for and pathetic. Do us all a favor and STFU…
January 23rd, 2009 at 5:51 pm
Rhyme, you said… “That sucks but what sucks even worse are the dumb ass people who talk trash about Trixie and Major. Thats uncalled for and pathetic. Do us all a favor and STFU…”
Now, I hope you are not referring to what I said, being that I am the first one who brought up those two people in this comment section. If you are implying that in my direction, are you no better by calling me a dumb ass?
Please understand where I am coming from… Those two people are terrible figure heads for the Xbox brand. They are not knowledgeable in the gaming field, & should hardly be called gamers let alone be people that keep their jobs over Chris Paladino, and Nelson Rodriguez… People that gamers relate to. That cannot be said for Major Nelson/TriXie… They are not what gamers want to see/hear from, for obvious reasons. That is not a put-down on them as people (Like you are taking it) but as REAL intelligent gamers, they are not.
January 23rd, 2009 at 7:03 pm
and the battle wages on from the boards to the comment box. Sux to hear the bad news, I hope everyone can land on their feet. As far as trix/maj go, i’d sorta agree with part of mike’s point. while they aren’t video sexy and aren’t perhaps not the easiest to relate to, they are a good source of news/info, and i’m sure their jobs entail more than talking on camera for a min. I have no information on their gaming habits and cannot pass judgement on their “gamer” status, it could however be worse, it could be uber sold out like G4!
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Blessings to the people at the GSB. And thank-you so much for what y’all have done for the Xbox community, individually and collectively. I really enjoyed meeting Chris and Tony (including the people who frequent U360
) @ the Road Tour in ’07. 
P.S. – I’m a proud owner of a [custom] Xbox 360, track jacket…thanks to the people @ GSB. ^_^
January 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am
[...] Layoffs Effect A Lot Including Some In The Game Division As reported on Unscripted 360, Chris Paladino and Nelson Rodriguez lost their job over at Microsoft’s Gaming [...]
January 24th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Could it be that the blog wasn’t well known? I had never heard about it before news of the shutdown.
January 24th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Tony also was given the pink slip?!?
DAMN DAMN DAMN!!! Now I’m really POd!!
January 24th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Before I forget, I will repeat what I said on other blogs: leave the rest of the 360 community contacts (Trixie, Major) A.L.O.N.E.!!!
We’re talking 5000 total employees to be fired. What would you prefer: finally finding out that everyone we knew about (even those some people hate) are no longer with a job?
Grow up, people!!!
January 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Please read this thread from this page on, & most of you will see where I am coming from – http://www.gamercastnetwork.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12026&page=2
January 26th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
First of all, my condolences to Tony, Chris and Nelson. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for John, Sara and the others.
Second of all, anyone who thinks Trixie and Major aren’t real gamers should just go play with Legos. Major practically RUNS Xbox LIVE. His media stuff is a sidelight. Trixie is one of the funniest, coolest people I’ve ever met, and both of them are ridiculously hard working and likeable people. I will defend them to the ends of the Earth and if you think they don’t deserve it, then you just don’t know anything more about them than what you’ve seen on some video somewhere.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Sad to hear about the layoffs at GSB. I had a chance to meet Chris and the rest of the crew when they were here in Dallas a couple of years ago for a gaming event. Really cool dude! I hope Chris and the rest of the people laid off will land on their feet. I’ve been laid off before so I feel their pain. Like Soufizzy, I too received a track jacket from GSB. I didn’t ask for it but it was very generous of them to provide me with it.
January 27th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
To SpaceGhost2K…
Most people I know dislike looking at, & listening to Major/TriXie. They are bland, boring, corny clowns… thinking they are cute, & funny when they are really sickening to experience!
I think of Romper Room every time I see/hear them.
February 2nd, 2009 at 9:43 am
WHY WOULD MS HAVE TO DO THAT THEY ARE THE RICHEST COMPAINY