Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Star Accuses Microsoft of "Lying" After Xbox Layoffs

Ben Starr, the award-winning actor behind Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has sharply criticized Microsoft following the company's latest Xbox layoffs, accusing executives of repeatedly misleading employees and the gaming community. Reacting to the recent wave of job cuts, Starr said Microsoft had told "multiple lies" while publicly promoting its commitment to game development and creative talent, comments that quickly sparked widespread discussion across the industry.

Starr's remarks came in response to Microsoft's sweeping restructuring, which resulted in thousands of layoffs across the company, including major cuts within the Xbox division and several first-party studios. The actor argued that developers had been assured their work and studios were secure, only to see projects canceled and experienced teams dismantled shortly afterward. His criticism echoes growing frustration among developers, many of whom have questioned Microsoft's leadership following the restructuring.

Although Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not published by Xbox—it was developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive—the RPG enjoyed a close marketing partnership with Microsoft and launched day one on Xbox Game Pass. Starr's comments therefore attracted even more attention, as they came from one of the most recognizable voices associated with one of Xbox's biggest recent success stories.

The controversy has reignited debate over Microsoft's recent strategy for Xbox, with developers, actors, and fans questioning how the company balances record investments in gaming with repeated rounds of layoffs. Microsoft has not publicly responded to Starr's criticism, but his comments have become one of the most talked-about reactions to the ongoing restructuring of the Xbox business.