Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's New Strategy: Smaller Games, Bigger Mobile Reach
Microsoft and Activision have formed a new team within Blizzard, primarily composed of King employees, to develop smaller-scale, AA games based on established franchises. This follows Microsoft's 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard, granting access to a wealth of popular IPs.
This strategic shift aims to leverage King's mobile game expertise to expand Microsoft's presence in the mobile gaming market. The new team will likely focus on mobile titles, given King's success with games like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes. This isn't entirely new territory for King; they previously developed Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! (since discontinued) and had plans for a Call of Duty mobile game.
Microsoft's commitment to mobile gaming is clear. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, highlighted mobile as a crucial element in Xbox's growth strategy, emphasizing it as the main reason behind the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Microsoft's ambition extends beyond individual games; they're also developing a mobile app store to compete with Apple and Google.
The move towards AA titles also reflects the rising costs of AAA game development. By utilizing smaller teams, Microsoft aims to experiment with a more cost-effective approach while still capitalizing on their extensive IP portfolio.
Speculation abounds regarding the new team's projects. Potential candidates include mobile adaptations of 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.
This strategic move positions Microsoft to significantly broaden its reach in the mobile gaming sector while simultaneously exploring a more efficient model for game development.
