Activision Blizzard plans to close its publishing offices in Europe and lay off more employees in the process, according to a new report from GamesIndustry.biz.
In a statement issued to GamesIndustry.biz, a representative of Activision Blizzard explained that the move comes because of the players who “increasingly choose to connect their games digitally.”
“We have shared plans with our teams in Europe on how we would develop as an organization, to adapt to this change to serve our players and best position the region for future growth,” the statement continues. “We will take extensive 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 been impacted by Activision Blizzard staff over the past two years. In February 2019, the publisher announced that it will be reduce its staff members by 8%, or about 800 people. Later that year, restructuring lost the loss of more than 200 jobs. In 2020, the corporation closed its offices in Versailles, France, and then earlier this week drastic cuts made to its esports staff.
This has not stopped executives from talking about the recent growth of Activision Blizzard, even as employees argument pays inequality. CEO Bobby Kotick will even a $ 200 million bonus for the performance of the publisher throughout the pandemic, while throwing away the workers who actually have to say thank you for Activision Blizzard’s success with $ 200 Battle.net Gift Cards.
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As usual, these and previous layoffs are not necessary. The leadership of Activision Blizzard could easily have had pay cuts or, at the very least, bonuses turned down that contribute to the salaries of these now unemployed. But in the relentless mill of capitalism, the CEOs and their kind are always the ones turning the wheel, and are glad that they can suffer hundreds and thousands of people as grimly as it means they get their bread.