Microsoft says it is laying off about 9,000 workers, its second mass layoff in months and its largest in more than two years. The tech giant began sending out layoff notices Wednesday that hit the company's Xbox video game business and other divisions.

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 is reducing its global workforce by nearly 4%. Gaming is among the departments affected, and as a result, Xbox has abandoned games like Everwild and Perfect Dark.