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Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard to create AA games with top IP

Microsoft and Activision have teamed up to create a new team at Blizzard to develop smaller, AA games based on existing franchises. This move is part of Microsoft's strategy to strengthen its mobile gaming presence. The new team will be staffed primarily by King employees, who have experience developing mobile games based on existing IP. Some potential projects include scaled-down versions of popular franchises like World of Warcraft or Overwatch for mobile.

By AstralAether: Aug 05,2024

Microsoft Activision Aims to Make AA Games of AAA IPs

Microsoft and Activision created a new team within Blizzard to focus on developing smaller, AA titles based on existing franchises. Read on to learn more about Microsoft's goals and potential projects within the team.

Microsoft and Activision to Focus on ‘AA’ GamesKing Employees to Power Smaller Blizzard

Microsoft Activision Aims to Make AA Games of AAA IPs

Microsoft and Activision have reportedly established a new team within Blizzard that is primarily staffed by King employees, according to Jez Corden of Windows Central. This move follows Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023, giving the company access to a vast library of renowned game IPs like Diablo and World of Warcraft.

According to Corden, this new team’s mission is to work on AA games based on existing franchises within Blizzard universes. AA games are more limited in scope and budget than AAA releases, and with King being well-known for mobile hits like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes, the expectation is that the new team will target developing these games for mobile.

King does have experience with developing mobile games based on existing IP. They previously developed Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!, an endless runner similar to Temple Run, in 2021, and announced plans for a Call of Duty mobile game in 2017. While the former has since been discontinued, the latter’s progress remains unclear, especially considering Call of Duty: Mobile is developed by a different team.

Microsoft Aims to Enhance Their Mobile Presence

Microsoft Activision Aims to Make AA Games of AAA IPs

At Gamescom 2023, esteemed Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, in an interview with Eurogamer, highlighted the pivotal role of mobile gaming in Xbox’s growth strategy. He cited mobile capabilities as the primary catalyst behind Microsoft’s $68.7 billion bid for Activision Blizzard.

Spencer expounded, "The reason we’re in the acquisition discussion with Activision Blizzard King is around their mobile capability because it’s just something we don’t have… We obviously already have Call of Duty on our platform; we already have Diablo on our platform. So it’s not about new games that Xbox players don’t have access to today. It is about a capability on mobile, and some broader ambitions that we have on the largest gaming platform, which is mobile phones."

To further bolster their gaming presence, Microsoft is actively developing a mobile store to rival Apple and Google. While specific details remain undisclosed, Spencer suggested at CCXP 2023 that it would release expeditiously rather than "multiple years away."

Microsoft Activision Aims to Make AA Games of AAA IPs

With the soaring costs of top-tier game development, Microsoft is exploring a novel approach. According to Jez Corden, the company plans to experiment with more diminutive teams within its expansive structure to address this increasing change.

While specifics remain concealed, the formation of this fresh team has made fans speculate as to what they could be working on. Possibilities include scaled-back versions of well-known franchises like World of Warcraft, similar to League of Legends’ mobile counterpart, Wildrift. They could also work on a mobile Overwatch experience akin to Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile.