In a move that has rattled the esports community, Activision Blizzard has announced significant reductions in its esports personnel. Considered a major blow to the organization's gaming leagues, the layoffs notably transpired just a single day following the conclusion of the Call of Duty League's Major I tournament.
With these layoffs, the Activision Blizzard esports team now reportedly stands at a sparse cohort of around 12 individuals. This drastic downsize points to an uncertain future for the professional competitive scene managed by the company.
The Call of Duty League has been facing a period of upheaval, with recent challenges and delays which have disrupted the scheduling and structure of the league. This turbulence comes on the heels of last year's layoffs, where approximately 50 workers were released. That significant reduction in workforce had an impact on not only the Call of Duty League but also the Overwatch League, leading to the dismantling of the latter and subsequent inauguration of a new esports ecosystem.
An undercurrent of rumors now suggests there may be more changes on the horizon for the Call of Duty esports setup, though nothing has been confirmed by the company. Some fans of the franchise and esports veterans have openly critiqued the Call of Duty League's franchise structure, advocating for a return to the open circuit model that allowed for grassroots growth and community engagement.
Furthermore, Sledgehammer Games, one of the studios behind the development of several Call of Duty titles, reportedly underwent its own significant staff reduction. With 30% of its staff laid off, it indicates a wider scale of restructuring within the sphere of Activision Blizzard properties, which in part may be an effect of Microsoft's ongoing acquisition proceedings.
On a separate front, Activision Blizzard's arrangement with Google, which granted YouTube exclusive streaming rights for the Call of Duty League, met with a divisive reception. Long-standing fans of the franchise have expressed resistance, and the platform transition has posed viewership challenges, suggesting that the move has not resonated as intended with the community.
Despite these trials, the company remains focused on reaching new audiences without alienating their core fans. The Call of Duty League is scheduled to persist with its planned events, the nearest being on February 16. Nonetheless, the specter of potential alterations looms over the CDL, particularly as the current season progresses, stirring speculation about the league's long-term direction.
In the wake of these layoffs, Josh Lee, a former member of the Hot Hands Lounge—a team pivotal to the league's operations—spoke out about the impact of these changes. "There are no longer any more full-time observers for the CoD League as the remainder of Hot Hands Lounge was let go after the conclusion of the Boston Major. All of those years of work and development the team put in has just been wiped. CoD esports will never be the same again," Lee lamented, voicing a sentiment of profound loss and concern for the state of Call of Duty esports moving forward.
As the esports industry continues to navigate a landscape fraught with uncertainty and change, the community will undoubtedly watch closely to see how one of its foundational leagues adapts. And as Activision Blizzard moves forward with a greatly reduced esports team, questions linger about the resources and dedication that will be afforded to the competitive Call of Duty scene. Only time will reveal the lasting effects of these decisions, but what is undeniable is that the winds of change are blowing through the once stable halls of Call of Duty esports.