Microsoft has reportedly cancelled Everwild, an in-development game from UK-based Sea of Thieves developer Rare, and potentially other projects amid a round of layoffs that will see the company lose upwards of 9000 employees.

These changes come at a time when we have more players, games, and gaming hours than ever before,” said Xbox head Phil Spencer in an email to staff.

Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has been in charge of Xbox for over a decade and the company says he’s not leaving anytime soon, calling rumors that the longtime exec might be resigning when the next generation of Xbox hardware launches “completely made up.

While Microsoft’s comment doesn’t address the rumor fully, it makes it clear Spencer isn’t retiring imminently. Separately, Microsoft communications chief, Frank Shaw, took

Microsoft has denied rumours of Xbox boss Phil Spencer’s retirement, although plenty wish it were true. Per the words of Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer himself, the Xbox brand has ‘never looked stronger,