"I'm one of those 6 who are left to shut things down (not the job I would want, but better than no job at all I suppose," , a Microsoft ESP developer, wrote. "As soon as we have any information we can make public, I'll make sure at least pointers to the info gets posted here."

The company itself would not comment on the status of ESP.

"Microsoft is currently exploring options for the future of ESP and will announce details at the appropriate time," Sarah Tatone, a Microsoft spokesperson told The Industry Standard.

Microsoft has been facing its share of financial trouble in the economic downturn. The company plans to layoff about 5,000 employees. that about 30% of the company's game developers may have been laid off in the first round of cuts this quarter.

"Revenues in our industry, and in our company, will be affected by the economic conditions," Steve Ballmer, the company's CEO, said in an interview with .