Activision studio Toys for Bob has announced that it's leaving the corporate rat race and is spinning off as an independent developer. This comes just weeks after Activision Blizzard's parent company Microsoft instituted sweeping layoffs at Toys for Bob that impacted 86 employees. That’s more than half of the entire staff.
The developer said the choice to go indie will allow it to return to “being a small and nimble studio”, harkening back to its early days of the 1980s and 1990s when it made hit titles like Star Control. To that end, the company says it's already developing a new game, though there won’t be any official announcements for a while.
Additionally, there looks to be no hard feelings for former parent company Activision and, uh, grandparent company Microsoft. Toys for Bob said that both entities have “been extremely supportive of our new direction and we’re confident that we will continue to work closely together as part of our future.”
Toys for Bob is primarily known for the Skylanders franchise, but was also behind the well-reviewed Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. It’s also been involved with creating content for Call of Duty: Warzone.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/activision-studio-toys-for-bob-is-going-independent-after-sweeping-xbox-layoffs-201548396.html?src=rss
Fabian Mohr
It’s always exciting to see a studio like Toys for Bob take the leap into independence. The potential for creativity and innovation seems boundless in the indie space. I can’t wait to see what new game they’re working on and how their fresh perspective will shine through in their future projects. Here’s to supporting indie developers who continue to push the boundaries of gaming!
Abel Glover
Absolutely fantastic to see Toys for Bob embracing independence and the creative opportunities it brings. As a strategy game enthusiast, I can’t wait to see what they have in store. Their strategic mindset and innovative game design approach are sure to shape some exciting projects. Supporting indie developers like them is essential for the gaming industry’s growth and diversity. Exciting times ahead for Toys for Bob!