King Devs Join New Blizzard Team to Develop AA Games

Microsoft and Activision have established a new development team within Blizzard Entertainment tasked with creating AA-scale titles based on existing intellectual properties. This strategic shift aims to leverage the company’s extensive portfolio of franchises while mitigating the financial risks and operational complexities associated with high-budget AAA development. By utilizing smaller, more agile teams, the organization seeks to emulate a collaborative, Nintendo-style development model that prioritizes efficiency and streamlined communication.

The new unit is primarily composed of developers transitioning from King, the studio renowned for the Candy Crush franchise. Data from LinkedIn profile updates indicates that over 70 employees have already moved to the new team, including senior leadership figures such as creative director George Andreas and technical director David Otero Cuadros. While the team’s mobile-centric background suggests a potential focus on iOS and Android platforms, the scope of their output may also extend to PC and console environments.

This initiative reflects a broader corporate trend toward cost-conscious production, as rising development expenses continue to pressure the industry. The move complements other recent organizational changes, such as the creation of Elsewhere Entertainment, a separate studio focused on new AAA intellectual property. By diversifying its development approach—balancing large-scale narrative projects with smaller, resource-efficient AA titles—the company intends to maximize the long-term value of its established gaming franchises.