Key Takeaways
- The Warzone Mobile team was recently hit with layoffs.
- Phil Spencer highlights the need for adapting to gaming market shifts.
- It is unclear how many people were laid off on the Warzone Mobile team.
As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that the recent layoffs at Microsoft, specifically affecting the Warzone Mobile team, has left me a bit disheartened. The gaming world is dynamic and ever-changing, but it’s always unfortunate to see such talented individuals lose their jobs due to shifting market priorities.
As a member of the Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile team, I’m deeply affected by the recent layoff round at Microsoft on September 12, which impacted roughly 650 employees from their gaming divisions. Unfortunately, this includes my own project and the Warcraft Rumble team as well, as we’re reportedly facing reductions in staff.
Launched in March, the mobile version of “Call of Duty: Warzone” showcases many iconic elements from its console and PC counterparts such as battle royale matches with up to 120 players, diverse game modes available on PC and consoles versions of “Warzone”, and cross-progression. Activision anticipated that the mobile experience would create a big stir in the market, mirroring the global popularity of TiMi Studio Group’s “Call of Duty Mobile”. Yet, following its release, it turned out that many gamers preferred the original “Warzone” game, especially as players eagerly await the launch of “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6” and the accompanying “Warzone” update.
According to Stephen Totilo at Game File, teams working on “Warzone Mobile” and “Warcraft Rumble” have undergone layoffs at Activision Blizzard. Development for “Warzone Mobile” will carry on, but the workforce is being reduced for future tasks. Despite garnering over 50 million pre-registrations prior to launch, it seems that “Warzone Mobile” isn’t meeting Activision’s expectations as of now. Microsoft’s head of gaming, Phil Spencer, mentioned that they need to adjust to changing priorities and control the lifecycle and performance of games. It should be noted that these layoffs are not related to the acquisition by Activision Blizzard. The exact number of employees affected on the “Warzone Mobile” team is currently unknown.
Warzone Mobile Team Affected by the Microsoft Layoffs on September 12
- Warzone Mobile did not perform as Activision hoped in the months following its March 2024 launch.
- Phil Spencer notes that Activision must adapt to shifting priorities in the gaming market.
In simpler terms, the latest round of job cuts at Microsoft in 2023 affected around 650 employees, primarily those working in corporate and support roles, with exceptions made for teams working on Warzone Mobile and Warcraft Rumble. However, it’s important to note that a larger number, approximately 2,550 employees, were impacted by layoffs within the gaming division in 2024. These began with the dismissal of around 1,900 Microsoft employees in January. These redundancies appear to be a consequence of Microsoft’s series of acquisitions over the past few years, which led to the elimination of duplicative roles across their studios.
On October 26, it’s anticipated that the release of Black Ops 6 will mark a historic and highly lucrative event for Microsoft. The beta version of Black Ops 6 has already surpassed previous records in terms of player interaction and playtime, suggesting that pre-orders could be exceptionally high. Additionally, alongside the release of Black Ops 6, both Warzone and its mobile counterpart will continue to receive updates and new content throughout different seasons.
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2024-09-14 02:13