Actor Ben Starr has publicly criticized Microsoft, accusing the company of communicating multiple “lies” ahead of its historic restructuring at Xbox. Speaking on the Pause for Thought podcast, the award-winning Final Fantasy XVI voice actor denounced the tech giant’s corporate strategy, framing the recent workforce reductions as the consequence of a deeply flawed consolidation campaign.
Starr traced the root of the issue back to Microsoft’s aggressive acquisition spree between 2018 and 2019, when the publisher absorbed prominent independent studios like Ninja Theory, Obsidian Entertainment, and Playground Games. At the time, corporate leadership presented these buyouts as a protective measure to ensure creative freedom and financial stability. “It might not have seemed like a lie at the time, but it is now known to be a lie that consolidation is a good thing,” Starr argued, adding that the promises of safety under a massive corporate umbrella have proven completely false.
The actor also targeted the messaging surrounding the June 2026 Xbox Games Showcase, labeling the announcement of a third Senua title as inherently dishonest. Following reports that the game was unveiled primarily to make Ninja Theory look attractive to prospective buyers rather than as a fully funded internal project, Starr questioned how consumers or developers could trust future communications. “What you have said from a comms perspective is that we are willing to lie,” Starr remarked, calling the strategy a fundamental marketing failure.
Furthermore, Starr dismissed Microsoft’s attempts to spin the spin-off of Compulsion Games and Double Fine as positive news. While the official internal memo claimed independence would allow these studios to retain their intellectual property with initial financial backing, Starr noted that the reality for everyday workers remains devastating. He emphasized that the corporate narrative ignores the human cost, leaving many of his industry colleagues unemployed without clear explanations.
