Microsoft Activision to Transform Beloved

Microsoft and Activision Team Up for Smaller-Scale Games

Microsoft and Activision have formed a new Blizzard team, primarily composed of King employees, to develop AA titles based on established franchises, according to Windows Central's Jez Corden. This follows Microsoft's 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard, granting access to a wealth of popular IPs.

The new team's focus will be on AA games—smaller in scope and budget than AAA releases—leveraging King's mobile game expertise. This aligns with King's past experience, including the now-discontinued Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! and the still-unreleased Call of Duty mobile game (developed separately from the new team).

Microsoft's mobile strategy is key to its growth, as emphasized by Xbox CEO Phil Spencer at Gamescom 2023. He highlighted mobile capabilities as the driving force behind the Activision Blizzard King acquisition, aiming to expand beyond existing console and PC platforms. Microsoft's development of a competing mobile app store further underscores this ambition, with a potential launch sooner than expected, as hinted at CCXP 2023.

The initiative also addresses the increasing costs of AAA game development. By utilizing smaller, internal teams, Microsoft aims to experiment with a more efficient development model.

Speculation abounds regarding the team's projects. Potential candidates include mobile adaptations of popular franchises, such as a World of Warcraft mobile experience mirroring League of Legends: Wild Rift, or a mobile Overwatch title similar to Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile. The possibilities are exciting for fans.