Microsoft laid off 1,600 employees in its Xbox division this week, including hundreds of union video game workers represented by the Communications Workers of America.

The workforce reduction adds to what new CEO Asha Sharma calls the “most significant restructuring” in the history of the Microsoft division. Microsoft on Monday announced approximately 4,800 total job cuts companywide, including 1,600 Xbox employees.

“When Microsoft sought to grow its video game division, corporate executives reached an agreement with video game workers and their union, CWA, to respect their right to organize for a new day for workers across Microsoft’s video game studios,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “Although our union signed neutrality agreements with Microsoft, we are extremely disappointed by a company that has slowly moved our members to the bargaining table, leaving CWA members to expect the protections of a union contract.

“But make no mistake: Whether our members have a contract in hand or are still at the bargaining table, CWA members at Xbox have the power and protection of union membership,” Cummings Jr. continued. “When Microsoft decides to treat the workers who built Xbox as expendable, they need to know who they’re dealing with. This isn’t just a fight with the thousands of Xbox workers; it’s a fight with each and every CWA member: hundreds of thousands of people.”

More than 3,500 Xbox workers have formed unions with CWA since 2022, when Microsoft agreed to a neutrality framework that allowed workers to make that decision. Now, top-selling Xbox games like “Doom,” “Quake,” “Elder Scrolls” and “Fallout” are created with labor represented by unions.

Check out more gaming news from this week in the roundup below.

NEW RELEASES

Electronic Arts Inc. released “EA SPORTS College Football 27” on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile devices.

“College Football 27” features aspects of the modern sports landscape such as NIL, coaching movement, recruiting and game day. The game introduces the biggest changes to Dynasty Mode since its introduction, with new dynamic weather, expanded Road to Glory positions, and over 1,500 new plays.

“College football is undergoing an exciting, tension-filled transformation that has never been more compelling to watch,” said Evan Dexter, vice president of franchise strategy and marketing. “That tension is exactly what we wanted to reflect in ‘College Football 27’: a duality of traditional school pride pitted against a dynamic athletic landscape. The game not only reflects the modern era, but puts you at the center of it.”

“College Football 27” is the franchise’s mobile debut, powered by Frostbite.

GAME UPDATES/DLC

“Disney Dreamlight Valley” launched its first Adventure Pack, inspired by Disney’s celebration of 100 years of Winnie the Pooh.

New characters Winnie the Pooh, Piglet and Eeyore are now available in “Disney Dreamlight Valley: Honeyglow Woods.” Players can discover the Hundred Acre Wood-inspired biome through quests, new activities, and exclusive rewards.

The game is now available for PC, Playstation 4, Playstation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Mac and Apple Arcade. Anyone who plays before July 22 will receive the exclusive Rainy Day Winnie the Pooh Dream Style.

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The “Overwatch” franchise, originally developed by Blizzard Entertainment, will transfer the service to Nexon in South Korea starting August 12.

Coinciding with the launch of “Overwatch” Season 4, registration and account linking for the PC game is now open. “The Nexon team has been working closely with Blizzard to provide a service that enhances the ‘Overwatch’ experience through Nexon’s best-in-class live operations and hyperlocalization,” Nexon CEO and President Junghun Lee said in a statement.

The news comes after Blizzard Entertainment and Nexon signed a publishing deal in March, with their collaboration focusing on hyper-localized content in Korea.

Walter Kong, senior vice president of live/mobile game development at Blizzard Entertainment, added in his own statement: “Opening registration is an exciting step forward as we get closer to the August launch of Nexon’s service for ‘Overwatch’ for PC in Korea. Together with Nexon, we’re proud of the high-quality, personalized experience we’re creating for players in Korea, and we’re excited to usher in this new chapter for the Korean ‘Overwatch’ community.”

“Overwatch” was originally released in 2016 and attracts more than 100 million players worldwide. Blizzard Entertainment is also known for the “Warcraft,” “Overwatch,” “Diablo,” and “StarCraft” franchises.

LIVE EVENTS

Pokémon GO’s 10th anniversary celebration will be streamed live on the Pokémon GO Twitch channel on July 9 at 6:15 p.m. EDT.

@MYSTIC7 on YouTube, @awesomeadamtv on Twitch, and @landoralpha on TikTok will also be streaming the stream.

Fans who tune in for 30 continuous minutes will earn Pokémon GO digital rewards through Twitch Drops.

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Nintendo will give early access to new games at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 from July 23 to 26.

Convention attendees can try out the recently announced active game “Nintendo Switch Sports Resort” on Nintendo Switch 2, launching to the public on October 22, or “Splatoon Raiders.”

Fans can also enter to compete against social media creator The Rizzler at “Nintendo Switch Sports Resort” on July 23.

Throughout the convention center and downtown San Diego, Nintendo will host additional competitions, solo challenges, and surprise activities.

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iam8bit and SEGA of America announced the 35th anniversary of Speed: The Sonic Art Exhibit.

The exhibitions will take place September 4-6 during PAX West in Seattle and September 26-27 in Los Angeles. Each will showcase original works from more than 30 artists reimagining iconic moments, characters and worlds from Sonic’s history, along with artwork from the SEGA archives.

The gallery will also showcase fan art contributions to a visual compilation of the Sonic universe. A select few artists will be featured in the exhibitions, and the most notable submissions will be selected for a “best of” visual showcase. Submissions are open today.