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[Draugoth]

From Windows Central: Microsoft and Activision have formed a new team within Blizzard to work on smaller 'AA' games based on existing IP | Windows Central

Our sources indicate that Microsoft and Activision have approved the creation of a new team within its Blizzard subsidiary, comprised mostly with employees from King. Blizzard is known for beloved franchises like Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, and Microsoft is keen to curate and serve these franchises more prolifically than Activision itself did previously. Military sci-fi strategy series StarCraft for example has essentially been on mothballs since StarCraft Remastered in 2017, and Xbox CEO Phil Spencer himself has name checked StarCraft during interviews about the acquisition in recent years. Still, you need teams to work on these classic franchises, and that's exactly what Microsoft is gearing up to do.

To that end, we're told Microsoft and Activision's new team within Blizzard is tasked to work on "AA" smaller games based on existing franchises within the Blizzard universes. Given King's mobile expertise, it's possible that these will be mobile games aimed to support Xbox's planned mobile gaming store for iOS and Android — although we're not entirely sure that they'll be restricted specifically to mobile. Given Microsoft's platform agnostic strategy across mobile, PC, and console, it's entirely possible that any fresh projects could run across platforms. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella recently described how it wants Xbox to focus on a three-pronged gaming approach across those endpoints, with Xbox console at its core.

 

[Jaybe]

“Given King's mobile expertise, it's possible that these will be mobile games aimed to support Xbox's planned mobile gaming store for iOS and Android“

 

[Topher]

Blizzard mobile games

 

[IFireflyl]

I am so sick of Microsoft.

 

[Topher]

I am so sick of Microsoft.

 

[Kenneth Haight]

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

'AA'... exaclty what Microsoft gaming needs
.... and contradicting what Booty said.

 

[geary]

Mobile compatible…My dream of a crpg in Warcraft universe just died…

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Blizzard mobile games

But since some people might not have played them and they are new to some its like gaining all new IPs

 

[Punished Miku]

If they want to make mobile stuff on par with Fantasian, I'm fine with it if it comes to console. Every team at MS should set aside some room for smaller AA games.

 

[feynoob]

“Given King's mobile expertise, it's possible that these will be mobile games aimed to support Xbox's planned mobile gaming store for iOS and Android“

Doom, Halo and COD all working together to defeat the witch.

 

[Saber]

More mobile garbage...eh. Maybe they want a new meter to use during presentations.

 

[MrRibeye]

I was really excited about Warcraft Rumble, played it for dozens of hours, leveled up my units, opened a guild, did the dungeons, but they should have designed it like the 2014 version of Hearthstone with very generous progression and "card dusting" systems to keep people hooked and later sell expansions to make money. Unfortunately Rumble is designed to be as P2W as possible, and I don't throw that accusation around easily.

 

[Daniel_Mallorca1985]

Desde Windows Central: Microsoft y Activision han formado un nuevo equipo dentro de Blizzard para trabajar en juegos 'AA' más pequeños basados en IP existentes | Windows Central

Xbox has died:

 

[FoxMcChief]

Ok

 

[intbal]

The Lost Vikings collectible card game incoming.

 

[adamsapple]

But since some people might not have played them and they are new to some its like gaining all new IPs

Snaaaaaaaaaaaaakeeeeee !

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

 

[Shubh_C63]

I knew this as soon as they focused on Gamepass.

In order to put everything on GP, they will just stop making AAA games.
Fine by me though, AA are better and safer than blockbusters 250M$ games.

 

[Bumblebeetuna]

I knew this as soon as they focused on Gamepass.

In order to put everything on GP, they will just stop making AAA games.
Fine by me though, AA are better and safer than blockbusters 250M$ games.

Been hearing this since day one on GamePass was announced years and years ago. One day it will happen, I believe.

 

[DR3AM]

THPS3

 

[Cert.in.Death]

First up:
StarCraft

 

[adamsapple]

I knew this as soon as they focused on Gamepass.

In order to put everything on GP, they will just stop making AAA games.
Fine by me though, AA are better and safer than blockbusters 250M$ games.

It's almost like you didn't even read past the topic title.

Almost.

 

[DonkeyPunchJr]

My phone is ready!

 

[M1chl]

Singularity 2 you cowards

 

[tusharngf]

heretic next gen game please !!

 

[StueyDuck]

Mr jezzy doodoos sources... so there's like a 5% chance of anything being said bring true.

Any actual people reporting on this

 

[Embearded]

Let's hope it is true.

 

[elmos-acc]

I mean this in a nicest way possible:

Is there any reason to care about Jez Corden? Even if he still finds himself employed for some publication, are his articles click-worthy?

 

[LordCBH]

I mean this in a nicest way possible:

Is there any reason to care about Jez Corden? Even if he still finds himself employed for some publication, are his articles click-worthy?

No.

 

[Wooxsvan]

make a new warcaft RTS based on warcraft 2, not 3. do it!

 

[fudgybrownie]

So ya close studios just to open new ones?

 

[adamsapple]

So ya close studios just to open new ones?

this is using existing King employees, better to have them do other projects than be redundant and let go.