Microsoft Activision to Transform AAA IPs into AA Games

Microsoft and Activision to Focus on 'AA' Games

King Employees to Power Smaller Blizzard Titles

Microsoft and Activision have established a new team within Blizzard, primarily staffed by employees from King, following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard in 2023. This strategic move allows Microsoft to leverage the extensive library of popular game IPs such as Diablo and World of Warcraft.

According to Jez Corden of Windows Central, the team's focus will be on developing AA games, which are smaller in scope and budget compared to AAA titles. Given King's expertise in mobile gaming, highlighted by successes like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes, it's speculated that this new team will concentrate on creating mobile versions of Blizzard's renowned franchises.

King's past ventures into mobile gaming with existing IPs include the now-discontinued Crash Bandicoot: On the Run! and a planned Call of Duty mobile game announced in 2017. These efforts underscore King's capability to handle well-known franchises on mobile platforms.

Microsoft Aims to Strengthen Their Mobile Presence

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, underscored the importance of mobile gaming for Xbox's future during Gamescom 2023. In an interview with Eurogamer, he revealed that mobile gaming capabilities were a significant factor in Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Spencer stated, "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."

Furthering their mobile strategy, Microsoft is developing a mobile store to compete with Apple and Google. While specifics are yet to be revealed, Spencer hinted at CCXP 2023 that the launch of this store is on the horizon and not "multiple years away."

As AAA game development costs continue to rise, Microsoft is adopting a new approach by experimenting with smaller teams. Jez Corden reports that this initiative aims to adapt to the evolving gaming landscape.

The formation of this new team has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans about potential projects. Possible developments include mobile adaptations of popular franchises like World of Warcraft, similar to League of Legends' Wildrift, or a mobile version of Overwatch akin to Apex Legends Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile.