A newly formed Blizzard team, primarily composed of King employees, is focusing on developing smaller-scale, AA titles based on established franchises. This initiative follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, granting access to a wealth of popular IPs. This article delves into Microsoft's strategic goals and explores potential projects.
According to Windows Central's Jez Corden, this new team will leverage King's mobile game development expertise to create AA titles within existing Blizzard universes. The reduced scope and budget of AA games, compared to AAA releases, suggests a focus on mobile platforms, given King's success with titles like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes. King's past experience with IP-based mobile games, such as the now-discontinued Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! and the still-in-development (though details are scarce) Call of Duty mobile game, further supports this hypothesis.
At Gamescom 2023, Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, highlighted the crucial role of mobile gaming in Xbox's growth strategy. He emphasized that mobile capabilities were a key driver behind the Activision Blizzard King acquisition, stating that it provided a capability Microsoft lacked. This isn't about bringing existing games to mobile, but about establishing a strong mobile presence. Microsoft's development of a competing mobile app store further underscores this commitment. Spencer hinted at a launch timeframe sooner than "multiple years away" at CCXP 2023.
The rising costs of AAA game development are prompting Microsoft to explore alternative approaches. The new team represents an experiment in leveraging smaller teams within a larger structure to manage these increasing costs. While details remain confidential, speculation abounds regarding potential projects. These could include scaled-down versions of popular franchises like World of Warcraft, similar to League of Legends: Wild Rift, or a mobile Overwatch experience comparable to Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile.
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