Microsoft and Activision create splinter studio under Blizzard, shifts away from AAA production

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Microsoft and Activision create splinter studio under Blizzard, shifts away from AAA production

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I find myself both intrigued and skeptical about this new development between Microsoft, Activision, and Blizzard. The merger of King’s team into a studio focused on AA games using existing IPs is an interesting move, especially considering the esteemed Candy Crush pedigree they bring to the table.

Microsoft and Activision have established a specialized group primarily dedicated to developing A-grade titles based on their existing intellectual properties. This team will leverage King as a foundation and rebrand under the name Blizzard.

For some time now, this has been a continuous undertaking, and employees from King – a subsidiary of Activision – have been integrated onto our newly formed team. This creative studio is usually known for developing the extremely popular Candy Crush game.

As a longtime gamer and industry observer, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation regarding the recent developments in the gaming world. Having grown up playing AAA titles from giants like Activision and Microsoft, it’s fascinating to see these companies exploring new frontiers in game development, particularly in mobile gaming. However, my personal experience has taught me to approach change with caution.

According to Jez Corden’s sources, Microsoft is considering adopting a Nintendo-like approach to collaboration within smaller teams and the larger organization as part of their efforts to succeed. Given Microsoft’s acquisition patterns in recent years, this strategy sounds very promising. However, it’s difficult to accept this claim, especially after Microsoft’s harsh treatment of Tango Gameworks just a few months ago, which resulted in the dismantling of Shinki Mikami’s former studio despite its positive reviews and significant impact on Xbox players. It’s hard to understand why Microsoft would embrace this approach now, when they had the opportunity to do so before.

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2024-08-02 17:40