Activision has denied claims that it has laid off employees at Toys For Bob.
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In a statement to NME, an Activision spokesperson said that “reports of layoffs at Toys For Bob are incorrect”, adding that “there has not been a reduction in personnel recently at the studio”.
“The development team is operating fully and has a number of full-time job openings at this time,” the company added. “The studio is excited to continue supporting Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, and more recently provide additional development support to Call Of Duty: Warzone.”
Toys For Bob, the developer of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and Spyro Reignited Trilogy, had previously announced via Twitter that it was “proud to support development for Season 3 of Call Of Duty: Warzone, and look forward to more to come”.
Toys for Bob is proud to support development for Season 3 of Call of Duty #Warzone, and look forward to more to come. #LETSGO dev squads! #Verdansk84 pic.twitter.com/ERmFSWeaIk
— Toys For Bob (@ToysForBob) April 29, 2021
The news fueled rumours of layoffs floating around social media, alarming fans of the developer, which is best known for colourful mascot platformers. At the time, Nicholas Kole, a character artist formerly employed at Toys for Bob, had claimed that the developer would now only be working on Call Of Duty.
yep
— Nicholas Kole (@FromHappyRock) April 30, 2021
Kole commented further to say, “I’m very glad it’s not a total shuttering” although he indicated that he and “everyone I interfaced with and worked along was let go”.
Same! Altho everyone I interfaced with and worked along was let go, I’m very glad it’s not a totally shuttering
— Nicholas Kole (@FromHappyRock) April 30, 2021
This restructuring at Activision Blizzard follows the news, as reported in GamesIndustry.biz, of Vicarious Visions, the studio behind the remakes of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 1 + 2 and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, merging with Blizzard Entertainment.
Amidst news of layoffs, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is also taking a 50 per cent voluntary pay cut.
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