Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's New Venture: AA Games from AAA IPs
A new team, primarily composed of King employees, has been formed within Blizzard to develop smaller-scale, AA games based on established franchises. This initiative, following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, leverages King's mobile game expertise and aims to expand Microsoft's mobile gaming presence.
This strategic move follows Microsoft's stated goal of strengthening its mobile gaming capabilities, a key driver behind the Activision Blizzard acquisition. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, highlighted the significance of mobile gaming in Xbox's growth strategy, emphasizing the lack of substantial mobile presence prior to the acquisition.
The new team's focus on AA titles allows for lower development costs compared to AAA games, a significant factor in the current gaming market. While details remain scarce, speculation abounds regarding potential projects. These could include scaled-down mobile versions of popular franchises like World of Warcraft or a mobile Overwatch experience, mirroring successful titles such as Wild Rift and Apex Legends Mobile. King's previous experience with IP-based mobile games, such as the now-discontinued Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!, provides a foundation for this endeavor. The potential for a new Call of Duty mobile title also remains a point of interest, although separate development teams handle the existing Call of Duty: Mobile.
Microsoft's ambition extends beyond game development, encompassing the creation of a mobile store to compete with Apple and Google. While a precise release date is unconfirmed, Spencer indicated that its launch is anticipated sooner rather than later. This comprehensive strategy positions Microsoft to capitalize on the lucrative mobile gaming market while simultaneously experimenting with alternative development models to mitigate the rising costs associated with AAA game production.
