Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon, says he is committed to Amazon’s efforts to develop video games, in response to a damning report from Bloomberg last week about the problems the team is facing. “Some businesses start in the first year, and others take many years,” Jassy wrote in an email from staff Bloomberg‘Although we have not yet consistently succeeded in succeeding in AGS [Amazon Game Studios], I believe we will do it if we go there. ‘
“Being successful right away is obviously less stressful, but if it lasts longer, it’s often sweeter,” Jassy continued. “I believe this team will get there if we stay focused on what’s most important.”
The message comes at a critical time for Amazon Game Studios, the e-commerce giant’s development arm for video games. The decision to set up the division allegedly came directly from Jeff Bezos, outgoing CEO of Amazon, who recently announced that he would retire later this year and be replaced by current Amazon Web Services chief, Andy Jassy. As the company reportedly spends nearly $ 500 million a year on its hitherto unsuccessful video game division, it is important that it has the support of the incoming CEO.
BloombergIts previous report claims that Amazon Game Studios faced a number of problems, including a studio head who has no experience in video games, a ‘painfully slow’ internal game engine and a ‘bro culture’ which women do not have the same opportunities as men. In response to the report, Mike Frazzini, the studio head, allegedly emailed the team, saying that there is ‘no tolerance’ for ‘anything less than a fully equitable and inclusive environment’. Jassy expressed support for Frazzini in his email this week.
Despite Jassy’s support, Amazon Game Studios still faces challenges. Last year it released, and then pulled and canceled, Furnace, a hero shooter who drew inspiration from Ear Watch. Another of his tent pole games, New world, was also delayed, while a video adaptation of The Grand Tour was released in 2019 from such bad reviews that it was later removed from the store windows. AGS may have the support of Amazon’s next CEO, but it still has a long way to go if it wants to earn the support of players.