Microsoft is pressing ahead with its global Xbox FanFest tour despite having laid off the employee who created and pitched the event during recent job cuts. The move has drawn criticism as tone-deaf, coming shortly after Microsoft cut 1,600 jobs from its Xbox division, with another 1,600 planned over the next year, raising questions about the company's judgement and priorities during a period of significant restructuring.

The tour, described by Microsoft as a "global, multi-city run of fan-first events," already held a Los Angeles leg before the layoffs and will now continue to Cologne (26 August, Gamescom), Tokyo (17 September, Tokyo Game Show), London (26 September), Mexico City and Sydney (both 17 October), Toronto (6 November), and Seattle (date to be confirmed). Details remain vague, with tickets only available via unopened city-specific sweepstakes and no confirmed content beyond celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary; the event's creator, Chris Munson, announced his departure on LinkedIn after 15.5 years at the company. Separately, Xbox console prices in Europe have risen, with the Series S now costing £430 and the Series X £670.