Crash Bandicoot Developer Toys for Bob Hit With Layoffs
Toys for Bob was acquired by Microsoft as part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition last year. The studio was founded in 1989, and was owned first by Crystal Dynamics, before becoming part of Activision Blizzard in 2005. There, the studio created the highly-successful Skylanders franchise, which featured Spyro the Dragon in a key role and also utilized Crash Bandicoot. As the toys-to-life bubble burst, Toys for Bob continued to work with both Spyro and Crash, most notably in Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
Over the last few years, Activision Blizzard had been increasingly leaning on Toys for Bob as a support studio for the Call of Duty franchise. When Activision Blizzard's acquisition by Microsoft was first announced, it led to many fans hoping that Toys for Bob would end up developing a new entry in the Banjo-Kazooie series. At this time, it's unclear what will come next for the developer.
Layoffs at Activision Blizzard
Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard was closed last October. News of the layoffs at Toys for Bob comes just weeks after Microsoft announced 1,900 layoffs from its gaming teams. That news has led to a complaint filed by the FTC to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The FTC is arguing that the announcement "contradicts Microsoft's representations in this hearing," and has requested a temporary pause on the acquisition as a result. At this time, it's unclear whether that filing will have any impact.
Video Game Industry Layoffs and Studio Closures
The layoffs at Toys for Bob come at a turbulent time in the video game industry. Over the last 12 months, there have been layoffs at countless studios, including companies like Bungie, Crystal Dynamics, Telltale, and Epic Games. In addition to those layoffs, several studios have been closed altogether, including Volition and Free Radical Design. While many of these layoffs have come about as a result of restructuring plans, others are a direct result of acquisitions made by companies like Microsoft and Embracer Group.
These layoffs have led to a lot of frustration from employees within the video game industry. Overall profits remain high, yet so many people remain uncertain about the next round of layoffs, and whether they'll have to find a new place of employment.
Posted:
Related Forum: Gaming Discussion
Source: https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/crash-bandicoot-developer-toys-for-bob-layoffs-xbox/
Related Articles
Comments
Latest Downloads
- 01. SnowRunner: SaveGame (all trucks are open) [32.1](1)
- 02. [PS4/EU] Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone 100% Trophy Save(1)
- 03. Silent Hill 2 Remake: SaveGame (Motel Jacks, NG+)(0)
- 04. Phasmophobia: SaveGame (XX-2000, $594,965,799, 3 apocalypse skulls + bonus)(2)
- 05. Satisfactory: SaveGame (Observation deck)(1)
- 06. [EU] Sniper Elite 5 - Best Of The Best (CUSA16075)(5)
- 07. Voices Of The Void: SaveGame (All improvements for work + 7 days passed) [0.8.0](1)
- 08. Silent Hill 2 Remake: SaveGame (NG+, ending "Maria")(1)
- 09. Five Nights at Freddy's- Security Breach Save(8)
- 10. Commandos 2 - HD Remaster: SaveGame (All missions are open)(0)
- 11. Black Myth: Wukong - SaveGame (100%, NG++)(3)
- 12. Mindjack save xbox(0)
- 13. mindjack ps3 save(0)
- 14. Lies of P: SaveGame (game completed 6 times, hero level 124)(1)
- 15. Shadow of the Ninja - Reborn: SaveGame(0)
Latest Tutorials
- 01. PS3 HEN - Audio via a USB headset.(289)
- 02. Stumble Guys | Social Butterfly Achievement(194)
- 03. Last Days of Lazarus Achievement Walkthrough (Xbox/PS)(1,452)
- 04. EDENGATE: The Edge of Life - 100% Trophy/Achievement Guide(1,818)
- 05. Sherlock Holmes Chapter One | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,459)
- 06. Morbid: The Seven Acolytes | Full Game Walkthrough(2,422)
- 07. Adam Wolfe | Full Game Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,569)
- 08. ALFRED HITCHCOCK: VERTIGO - 100% Walkthrough(1,877)
- 09. SHERLOCK HOLMES THE AWAKENED | Walkthrough | No Commentary(1,328)
- 10. Space Roguelike Adventure | Guide - Cheat Code!(1,525)
- 11. DETECTIVE Stella Porta Case | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,188)
- 12. Tunic 100% Platinum Walkthrough | Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,813)
- 13. Outbreak: The Nightmare Chronicles Achievement Walkthrough(1,455)
- 14. Full Void 100% - Trophy & Achievement Guide(1,438)
- 15. Outbreak: Lost Hope #Xbox Achievement Walkthrough(2,274)
"Crash Bandicoot Developer Toys for Bob Hit With Layoffs" :: Login/Create an Account :: 2 comments