An employee of Microsoft has generated a wave of criticism after sharing a Image generated by artificial intelligence. The image was used to advertise vacancies on the Xbox graphic team. This happened weeks after a massive round of layoffs in the company’s video game division.
Xbox under the public eye
The image, shared on LinkedIn last weekend, shows a woman sitting in front of a computer. However, the code appears inexplicably on the back of the monitor. Accompanied by the message “Xbox Graphics is Hiring”, the publication quickly went viral, accumulating more than 100 responses, most of them with a tone of mockery or indignation.
Although the publication is not official from Microsoft, but from the leading development leader of the Xbox graphic team. However, The moment and the quality of the image were harshly criticized by the Xbox community. Several users pointed to the inconsistency of using an AI-generated image of poor quality —with obvious errors— to promote positions related to graphic design. This happened just after firing thousands of workers.
Users have mixed reactions
“Do you really think that this image communicates that this is a company where we value those who can make things look good?” wrote another Microsoft employee. This questioned the advertising decisions of the Xbox team.
“Publishing this days after firing 9,000 people in video game development. Also, with an image where the screen is upside down… brother, you understand the context,” said a Meta employee. He indirectly referred to the Xbox team and its recent advertising decisions.
“This is just embarrassing. A junk image made by AI (the screen is at the back of the monitor!) to announce a post on graphics of Xbox… Do it better”, added a person from Ubisoft, criticizing the visual strategy.
Although some answers tried to take matters of humor—even suggesting that the image was purposely shared as an example of why better hires are needed. However, Most of the comments reflect annoyance. This was manifested by both the content and the context related to Xbox.
And the cancellations continue
The controversy comes just days after Microsoft confirmed the dismissal of nearly 4% of its workforce, some 9,100 employees, with significant cuts in several Xbox studios. Among the projects canceled they find each other Everwild, developed by Rare; the reboot of Perfect Dark by Crystal Dynamics and The Initiative (the latter closed completely); as well as new Xbox titles in development by teams such as Bethesda and Romero Studios.
This has been the fourth round of layoffs in the Microsoft gaming area. The reductions included Xbox, in the last 18 months. This happens at a time when the company is increasingly betting on AI-driven tools. Even in areas as sensitive as visual creativity.
