King, the Microsoft-owned gaming studio renowned for Candy Crush, is reportedly poised to lay off around 50 employees, primarily in level design and narrative writing, as it replaces jobs with its own developed AI tools. This transition targets mid-level management, UX, and user research teams across offices in London, Stockholm, Berlin, and Barcelona. Employees expressed frustration, noting that the AI tools they helped create now threaten their positions, emphasizing that efficiency-driven layoffs are damaging to the creative process. Speculation suggests total layoffs could exceed 200, with some leadership placed on “gardening leave” to prevent sensitive info leaks. King previously touted AI’s role in automating mundane tasks, allowing staff more time for innovation. These layoffs are part of a broader trend in the gaming industry, as companies prioritize automation despite robust profits. The changes follow Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, highlighting shifting dynamics within the gaming sector.
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