Larry Hryb-widely known to gamers as Major Nelson-has reportedly been laid off from Unity as the company continues to reduce its workforce.
For roughly two decades, Hryb was one of Xbox’s most recognizable public figures. He cultivated his reputation during the Xbox 360 era as a community ambassador who genuinely connected with players. His Major nelson blog became a popular weekly source for Xbox news, game charts, and platform updates.
Hryb was an early adopter of social media, embracing platforms like Twitter-then a relatively new “micro-blogging site”-to engage directly with the gaming community. Players fondly remember him for accepting friend requests, participating in multiplayer matches, and prioritizing authentic interaction over simple marketing.
He left Microsoft in 2022 after more then 20 years with the company and later joined Unity, though his role there was less public than his previous position at Xbox. Details about his work at the engine company are limited on his LinkedIn profile.
Unity has repeatedly cut staff over the past two years, reducing its workforce by 8% in mid-2023 and then by a substantial 25% in early 2024. These reductions have impacted thousands of employees as the company restructures and aims to control costs.
The broader games industry has experienced widespread layoffs affecting publishers, platform holders, and technology companies. Unity’s cuts are part of a larger trend that has resulted in the elimination of tens of thousands of jobs since 2023.
