Senator Calls to Reverse Microsoft & Activision Blizzard Merger Amidst Massive Lay-offs

In a shocking turn of events, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren has vehemently called on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to "unwind" Microsoft's high-profile acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard. This call comes on the heels of a significant downsizing announcement by the Xbox maker, leading to widespread layoffs across its gaming division.

Senator Warren, a vocal critic of the merger from the outset, took to Twitter to express her concerns and condemn the massive job cuts. "I warned that this deal would hurt workers," she emphasized. "These layoffs are a stark reminder that corporate mergers are bad for workers. The FTC should keep up the fight to unwind this merger."

The fallout from the layoffs at Activision Blizzard has been described by affected employees as a "bloodbath," underscoring the severity of the situation. Blizzard's ambitious survival game has been scrapped, and entire teams within the publisher have been decimated.

Reports circulating on social media suggest that Sledgehammer Games, the renowned developer behind the Call of Duty franchise, has been hit particularly hard, losing more than a quarter of its workforce. While CharlieINTEL estimates the layoffs at 25%, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson indicates it could be closer to 30%.

Despite the merger having already concluded, the FTC is undeterred and continues its investigation into the deal. The commission aims to persuade the courts that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard not only poses a threat to healthy competition but also jeopardizes consumer choice in the gaming industry. As the legal battle intensifies, the future of this gaming behemoth's union hangs in the balance.