Amazon Layoffs Hit Twitch, Cutting Veteran Employees and Key Projects

Amazon is cutting hundreds of jobs at its Twitch and Amazon Games divisions. The layoffs are part of a larger corporate restructuring. The news was confirmed in an internal email to staff.

These cuts impact a significant portion of the company’s gaming initiatives. According to Bloomberg, the layoffs will largely affect offices in California. The move signals a strategic shift away from certain large-scale game development.

Long-Time Twitch Employee Speaks Out After Sudden Dismissal

One employee, known online as Tarfu, was with Twitch for over 11 years. He revealed his dismissal in a series of social media posts. Tarfu claimed he was laid off via email without a direct call.

He stated he built Twitch’s entire fraud prevention program. His work involved protecting creator revenue from bots and bad actors. He expressed frustration that he never received proper recognition for his critical work.

The timing is particularly difficult for him. He is recovering from a recent motorcycle accident. He is also set to get married in less than a month.

Broader Impact on the Gaming and Streaming Community

Other Twitch employees have also shared their layoff news online. Many are now actively seeking new employment opportunities. The community has responded with an outpouring of support and job leads.

An internal email from VP Steve Boom confirmed the strategic pullback. The company is halting significant first-party AAA game development. This specifically affects massively multiplayer online (MMO) projects.

The decision reflects the challenging economics of game development. Even a tech giant like Amazon is streamlining its entertainment divisions. The focus appears to be shifting toward more profitable or core business areas.

The recent Amazon layoffs have sent shockwaves through the streaming and gaming world. Veteran employees who built foundational systems are now seeking new roles. This restructuring marks a significant pivot for Amazon’s ambitious gaming and live-streaming ventures.

Thought you’d like to know-

How many jobs are being cut in the Amazon layoffs?

The total number of corporate layoffs at Amazon is over 14,000. The recent cuts specifically target hundreds of roles within Twitch and Amazon Games. This is part of the largest workforce reduction in the company’s history.

Why is Amazon laying off Twitch employees?

Amazon is restructuring its gaming and streaming divisions to reduce costs. The company is halting development on some large-scale, expensive video game projects. This strategic shift necessitates workforce reductions in those areas.

What was the reaction from laid-off Twitch staff?

Many expressed shock and disappointment on social media platforms. Some, like an 11-year veteran, highlighted a lack of recognition for their work. Others are now publicly seeking new employment opportunities.

How will these layoffs affect Twitch users?

The immediate impact on daily users may be minimal. Long-term, the reduction in staff could affect the pace of new feature development and community support. The company’s focus may shift to core platform maintenance.

Which Amazon divisions are most affected?

The layoffs are concentrated in the video games and cloud-computing areas. For gaming, this includes studios in Irvine and San Diego, as well as the central publishing team. Twitch, as a subsidiary, is also significantly impacted.

Trusted Sources

Bloomberg, Reuters