Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's New Strategy: Leveraging King's Expertise for AA Mobile Titles
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard has spurred a new initiative: the creation of a dedicated team within Blizzard, primarily composed of King employees, to develop smaller-scale, AA games based on established franchises. This strategic move aims to capitalize on King's mobile game development prowess and expand Microsoft's presence in the mobile gaming market.
King's Mobile Game Development Experience
King's track record with mobile titles like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes makes them a natural fit for this undertaking. Their past experience with IP adaptations, such as the now-discontinued Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!, and their announced (though currently unclear) plans for a Call of Duty mobile game, highlight their capabilities in this area. This new team is expected to focus on creating mobile experiences for existing Blizzard IPs.
Microsoft's Mobile Ambitions
Microsoft's commitment to mobile gaming is undeniable. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, has publicly emphasized mobile as a key growth area for Xbox, citing it as a primary driver behind the Activision Blizzard acquisition. This new team directly supports this strategy. Furthermore, Microsoft's development of a competing mobile app store underscores their broader ambition to become a major player in the mobile ecosystem. Spencer has indicated this store's release is imminent, rather than years away.
Addressing the Rising Costs of AAA Game Development
The high costs associated with AAA game development are driving Microsoft to explore alternative models. By forming smaller, specialized teams, they aim to experiment with more efficient development processes and potentially reduce financial risk.
Potential Projects and Fan Speculation
The exact projects this new team will undertake remain undisclosed, but speculation is rife among fans. Possible candidates include mobile adaptations of popular franchises like World of Warcraft (similar to League of Legends: Wild Rift) or Overwatch (similar to Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile). The future of this initiative will be closely watched by the gaming community.
