Phil Spencer’s Fallout 76 Camp Nuked Amidst Xbox Layoffs

Disgruntled Players Target Xbox Boss Phil Spencer over Fallout 76 Backlash

Angry players have taken to targeting Xbox boss Phil Spencer by nuking his Fallout 76 camp in response to recent layoffs at Bethesda. This action comes as Microsoft announces more studio closures within its gaming division, sparking outrage among the gaming community.

Phil Spencer blamed as Xbox has closed more studios than it released games in 2024 thus far

One Xbox user, Sam_Snydes, shared images of the destruction of Spencer’s virtual camp in Fallout 76, with other players vowing to continue their protest. The individual responsible, identified as real1090jake, even shared footage of the incident for all to see.

Spencer had already been under fire following Microsoft’s shift to multiplatform releases, with criticisms of his decisions growing louder in light of the recent layoffs. With studios like Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin shutting down, developers within Xbox Game Studios have not held back in their disapproval of the leadership’s choices.

This is absolutely terrible. Permission to be human : to any executive reading this, friendly reminder that video games are an entertainment/cultural industry, and your business as a corporation is to take care of your artists/entertainers and help them create value for you.
— Dinga Bakaba 451 (@DBakaba) May 7, 2024

Despite some attempts to defend Spencer, like those from former Blizzard and Xbox executive Mike Ybarra, the backlash against the Xbox boss continues to escalate. Ybarra’s defense of Spencer drew criticism from industry professionals, who believe more attention should be focused on those impacted by the layoffs rather than the executives.

Furthermore, players are now calling for the resignation of Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, in response to the ongoing turmoil within the gaming community.