Ben Starr Argued that Microsoft has Told Multiple Lies
Ben Starr, a gamer known for Final Fantasy 16 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, targeted Microsoft’s past statements following the massive layoffs affecting thousands of Xbox employees. He argued that the company has been sending untrustworthy messages on various issues, from studio acquisitions to new game announcements. According to Starr, these events demonstrate that Xbox is facing not only economic problems but also serious communication and management issues.
Ben Starr Criticizes Microsoft’s Studio Strategy
Starr recalled Microsoft’s large studio acquisitions in 2018 and 2019, stating that the narrative that mergers would provide security for developers is no longer valid. At that time, the company acquired teams such as Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Undead Labs, Compulsion Games, Obsidian Entertainment, and inXile Entertainment. Starr argued that the message that being under a large corporate umbrella would protect creative studios contradicts the layoffs happening today.
The second point of criticism from the player was the announcement of the new Senua game during Xbox Games Showcase 2026. Allegedly, the third game, planned by Ninja Theory, was presented as a Game Pass project from day one, despite not being funded by Xbox. It was suggested that the announcement was primarily made to facilitate finding a buyer for the studio, and Ben Starr described this announcement as a dishonest communication choice.
Starr stated that showing a game at a major event that the company doesn’t intend to fund makes it difficult for players to trust future announcements. While acknowledging that the announcement could have been removed from the event, the player still considered the presentation a sign of a broader marketing problem. According to him, the issue stems more from Microsoft’s corporate communication approach than the fault of a single employee or manager.
Xbox’s restructuring, affecting 3,200 employees, means a 20% reduction in its workforce of approximately 15,000. Some positions were eliminated immediately, while the remaining cuts are planned to be completed by June 2027. Ben Starr argues that Microsoft’s previous promises should be questioned in light of this situation, while company management acknowledges that the Xbox business is not healthy in its current state.
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