Candy Crush developer King has laid off 200 employees, about 10% of its staff, amid restructuring within Microsoft’s Xbox following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In a leaked internal memo, King highlighted the need for organizational simplification and adaptation to industry changes, stating, “Our business has not been growing.” To address the challenges, the company plans to replace the laid-off developers with AI and streamline operations, reducing layers in management and prioritizing efficiency. While they will create some new roles, King is expected to become a smaller entity overall. Reactions on social media reveal a mix of criticism and concern, as users lament the transformation of the gaming industry from passion projects to profit-driven enterprises. Comments range from calls for AI bans to skepticism about its beneficial use in corporate strategies. As King pivots towards AI integration, the fallout from these layoffs evokes a broader discussion about the future of jobs in gaming and technology.
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