In a strategic move designed to capitalize on the potential of all the Intellectual Property (IP), Call of Duty‘s Developers Activision Blizzard is forming a new team within Blizzard Entertainment to handle smaller projects.
This new team will focus on developing AA games based on the company’s rich array of existing IPs, the team is largely composed of former King employees. It looks like the studio is aiming to innovate and offer games across multiple platforms.
Call of Duty’s Developers Looking to Focus on AA Games with New Team
The decision to form a new team comes after Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard for a monumental $72 billion (in 2023). This purchase ensured that Mircosoft now has control over a vast range of popular franchises. The acquisition not only includes blockbuster titles like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft but also mobile hits such as Candy Crush Saga.
As speculated by the recent changes to the former King employee’s LinkedIn profile, who have transitioned to Blizzard after the merge. It looks like Microsoft is looking to revitalize some of these classic franchises (within its back pocket) by bringing in new innovative ideas by forming teams that will handle smaller-scale projects.
By integrating talent from King which is known for its mobile gaming expertise, the studio is expected to explore new opportunities across various platforms. This also allows them to be more flexible and have the ability to adapt to current gaming trends quickly, rather than stick to the tried and tested method for big franchises.
Although nothing has been confirmed about any specific projects, the inclusion of mobile-focused developers suggests that these new games may be available on multiple platforms including mobile. This also aligns with Microsoft’s broader vision of cross-platform gaming.
What This Means for Fans and the Industry?
With the ever-evolving gaming industry, this approach is in line with the rest of the industry as right now everyone is trying to expand their reach to a broader audience.
By focusing on AA games (games developed by small teams with modest budgets), Microsoft and Activision are hoping to achieve a balance between quality and cost. With the cost of AAA games rising and reaching over $100 in some cases, taking advantage of a smaller team while keeping the cost of the products in check will ensure a broader reach.
Fans are speculating and expecting that this could mean the studio can potentially revive a classic franchise or the introduction of innovative gameplay experiences in the existing IPs could mark a new chapter.
In the end, as Microsoft continues to explore and refine its gaming strategy, the outcomes of this new team’s efforts will be closely watched by industry observers and fans alike.
What are your thoughts on Microsoft’s new approach? Tell us in the comment section below.
