According to a new report by Jez Corden via Windows Central, Microsoft and Activision have created a new team within Blizzard designed to work on smaller games.
The team’s work will reportedly involve “AA games based on existing Blizzard franchises like Overwatch, Warcraft, StarCraft, and beyond.”
Fans recently noticed that veteran King employees are updating their LinkedIn profiles to mention Blizzard instead.
Now, Corden cites sources claiming that the new team under Blizzard will be “comprised mostly with employees from King.” It is currently unclear which other employees outside King could join the new team.
Corden speculates on the team’s potential direction based on King’s previous mobile experience. The new Blizzard team could possibly support Xbox’s mobile plans.
Corden does point out that Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently referenced a related plan for Xbox. However, at this time, the studios did not officially elaborate on the new team or its future projects.
There’s plenty of available IP that the new team could work with across platforms, such as the beloved Diablo series, or even Hearthstone. Although Blizzard canceled BlizzCon this year, a new dedicated team may please fans.
In a new post on X, Corden added that “Microsoft wants its Xbox studios to collaborate more closely and support each other,” similar to Nintendo and Blizzard operations.
In February 2024, Activision and Blizzard titles began joining the Xbox Game Pass, beginning with Diablo IV.
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Just bring back Vicarious Visions let them get back to remakes. Banjo, Kameo, Tony Hawk, Spyro, Jet Force Gemini, Mech Assault, Conker, Brute Force, Crash, Prototype, True Crime, give them that to work on. Honestly I’d rather them make Crash and Spyro over Toys For Bob those guys sucked.