Activision Blizzard has laid off less than 2% of its total workforce, or about 190 employees, according to Sports Business Journal and Bloomberg. The layoffs include 50 employees who handle electronic sports programming and other live events, as well as King’s staff, the candy Crush developer Activision bought in 2016 for $ 5.9 billion. As the publications note, layoffs are a cost-saving measure as the company moves away from live events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A company spokesman told them:
“Players are increasingly choosing to connect with our games digitally and the e-sports team, as well as the traditional sports, entertainment and broadcasting industries, had to adapt their business due to the impact that the pandemic had on events over the alive.”
The Activision Blizzard sports group runs the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League, who used to bring games to the fans of the teams through a homemade model. However, all of its home games, like most live events in all sectors, were canceled last year due to the pandemic. The company had to switch to an online-only format for the rest of the League season. Tony Petitti, president of Activision Blizzard sports and entertainment, said SBJ that this company is not moving away completely from live events and that it will try to host them again when possible.
A spokesman said employees laid off in the United States will receive 90 days compensation and health benefits for one year, as well as “support for the transition from work” and $ 200 in gift cards for Battle.net.