And are part of a larger layoffs which impact 14,000 employees.
As part of Amazon layoffs that will impact at least 14,000 employees, Bloomberg reports that Amazon Games will experience “significant” cuts as its shifts from MMOs like New World to smaller experiences for Luna.
The outlet also reports that layoffs could reach up to 30,000 employees.
Amazon confirmed at least 14,000 layoffs today, with SVP of people, Beth Galetti, saying that staff were being let go because the company feels that AI can take up the slack.
“Across our businesses, we’re delivering great customer experiences every day, innovating at a rapid rate, and producing strong business results,” Galetti wrote. “What we need to remember is that the world is changing quickly. This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the Internet, and it’s enabling companies to innovate much faster than ever before (in existing market segments and altogether new ones). We’re convinced that we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business.”
Amazon Games has already started the shift to experiences on Luna, complete with AI.
“Our Studio 5 team just released Courtroom Chaos: Starring Snoop Dogg as the launch title in Luna and will continue their focus on more casual and AI-focused games, optimized for Luna,” Amazon games head Steve Boom wrote in a memo to employees, sighted by Variety.
It’s also been confirmed that development on New World has ended, with its recently launched Season 10 and Nighthaven update being the game’s last. Amazon Games confirmed its “intention… to keep servers operating through 2026”.
Amazon is also working with Crystal Dynamics on the next Tomb Raider.
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