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Microsoft\u2019s post-acquisition layoffs at Activision Blizzard have already caught the FTC\u2019s eye<\/a>. Now we know more about which subsidiary studios will take the hit. First reported<\/a> by the San Francisco Chronicle<\/em> (via<\/a> Eurogamer<\/em>), California WARN notices list 86 upcoming scheduled layoffs at Skylanders<\/a> maker Toys for Bob and 76 cuts at Call of Duty: Vanguard<\/em><\/a> developer Sledgehammer Games.<\/p>\n California requires companies to notify the state of upcoming layoffs, thanks to a 1988 law mandating 60 days\u2019 notice about staffing cuts (if they reach specific thresholds). The latest WARN alerts<\/a> for Activision Blizzard report 86 upcoming cuts at an address in Novato, CA \u2014 matching Toys for Bob\u2019s offices \u2014 effective March 30. In addition, the San Francisco Chronicle<\/em> reports on a California state filing indicating Toys for Bob\u2019s offices will close.<\/p>\n Toys for Bob is known for spearheading the \u201ctoys-to-life\u201d concept, which Nintendo later embraced with its Amiibos<\/a>. The Activision Blizzard subsidiary\u2019s most successful projects include the Spyro the Dragon<\/a> series, Skylanders and Crash Bandicoot 4: It\u2019s About Time<\/em><\/a>. The Gamer<\/em> reported<\/a> in late January that Toys for Bob would cut 40 percent of its staff, which would have only been around 35 jobs.<\/p>\n In addition, another 76 Activision Blizzard employees will lose their jobs (also on March 30) at an address in San Mateo, CA, matching the headquarters of Sledgehammer Games. The studio has developed or contributed to several Call of Duty games, including CoD: Modern Warfare 3<\/em> (2011), CoD: Advanced Warfare<\/em><\/a> (2014), CoD: WWII<\/a> (2017) and CoD: Vanguard<\/em><\/a> (2021). The studio was founded in 2009. Insider Gaming<\/em> reported<\/a> in January that Sledgehammer Games would close its offices and go fully remote.<\/p>\n In late January, Microsoft said it would slash 1,900 jobs across its Xbox, Activision Blizzard and ZeniMax (Bethesda) teams<\/a>. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint in a federal appeals court on Wednesday, arguing that the substantial round of layoffs \u201ccontradicts Microsoft\u2019s representations in this proceeding.\u201d The government agency asked for a temporary pause of Microsoft\u2019s Activision Blizzard acquisition, which appeared all but locked up after the UK\u2019s Competition and Markets Authority approved the $69 billion purchase<\/a> in October.<\/p>\n An estimated 10,500 gaming industry workers fell victim to layoffs in 2023. We\u2019ve already seen 6,000 more in 2024, only slightly over a month into the new year. It\u2019s been part of a devastating year-plus of broader tech-industry layoffs<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n