Activision Blizzard plans to shut down its publishing houses in Europe and lay off even more employees, according to a new report from GamesIndustry.biz
In a statement to GamesIndustry.biz, an Activision Blizzard representative explained that the move is a result of players increasingly choosing to connect digitally to our games.
“We shared plans with our teams in Europe on how we would evolve as an organization, adapt to this change to serve our players and best position the region for future growth,” the statement continued. “We will take comprehensive steps to support all employees and facilitate the transition for those of our colleagues who may be affected by these proposed changes.”
This is the latest of several layoffs that have affected Activision Blizzard staff over the past two years. In February 2019, the publisher announced that this would happen Reduce the workforce by 8%, or an estimated 800 people. Later that year, restructuring saw the loss of more than 200 jobs. In 2020 the company will have Closed its offices in Versailles, France, and earlier this week drastic cuts made to the esports staff.
This hasn’t stopped executives from beaming over and personally benefiting from Activision Blizzard’s recent growth, even as employees protested against wage inequalityCEO Bobby Kotick is even slated to have one $ 200 million bonus for the publisher’s performance during the pandemic while throwing out the employees that are actually due to the success of Activision Blizzard with $ 200 Battle.net Gift Cards
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As is often the case, these and previous layoffs were unnecessary. Activision Blizzard’s leadership could easily have made pay cuts or at least refused bonuses to contribute to the salary of these now unemployed workers. But in the relentless mill of capitalism, CEOs and their ilk are always the ones at the wheel, happy to make hundreds and thousands of people suffer if it means getting their bread.