Blizzard’s Unexpected Cancellation of Its New Survival Game
3 min read
In the ever-evolving world of video games, announcements and cancellations are as common as new releases. One such unexpected turn of events occurred in early 2024 when Blizzard Entertainment, a leading name in the gaming industry, announced the cancellation of its new survival game project. This decision came as a surprise to many, given that the game was first announced in 2022, marking Blizzard’s first new property since the release of Overwatch in 2016.
The news of the cancellation was revealed following Microsoft’s decision to lay off 1,900 employees from its gaming divisions, primarily affecting staff at Activision Blizzard. This acquisition, which took place in October 2022 for a staggering $68.7 billion, also impacted some workers at ZeniMax and Xbox divisions. The layoffs were part of an ongoing trend in the gaming industry, with League of Legends developer Riot Games having cut more than 500 jobs earlier in the week.
Matt Booty, head of Xbox Studios, confirmed the cancellation in a note to staff. He stated that development on the survival game project would be ending, and some of the people working on it would be shifted to one of several promising new projects Blizzard has in the early stages of development.
Although few details were revealed about the survival game, it was a notable venture as it represented a rare new franchise from Blizzard, which primarily focuses on its core brands of Diablo, Warcraft, Overwatch, and StarCraft. The game’s announcement in 2022 generated excitement among fans, who were eager to explore this new direction from the renowned developer.
The cancellation of the survival game project was a significant blow to Blizzard, which has a reputation for producing high-quality games. The decision to cancel the project was likely due to the financial implications of the recent layoffs and Microsoft’s focus on other projects.
Blizzard’s president, Mike Ybarra, and chief design officer, Allen Adham, were among the employees leaving the company as part of the layoffs. Their departures, along with the cancellation of the survival game project, marked a significant shift in the company’s direction.
The cancellation of the survival game project was met with disappointment from fans, who had been looking forward to a new experience from Blizzard. The news also sparked discussions about the future of the gaming industry and the potential impact of layoffs on game development.
Despite the cancellation, Blizzard remains committed to its core brands and continues to develop and release new content for its fanbase. The company’s focus on its established franchises, such as Diablo, Warcraft, Overwatch, and StarCraft, ensures that it remains a major player in the gaming industry.
In conclusion, the cancellation of Blizzard’s survival game project was an unexpected turn of events in the gaming industry. The decision was likely due to the financial implications of the recent layoffs and Microsoft’s focus on other projects. Although the cancellation was a disappointment to fans, Blizzard remains committed to its core brands and continues to develop and release new content for its fanbase. The future of the gaming industry and the impact of layoffs on game development remain topics of ongoing discussion and debate.
