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As I write this, the internet’s still abuzz with the news that Activision Blizzard has laid off eight percent of its staff – amounting to almost 800 employees worldwide. On Twitter, people who until only a couple of days ago were 12 still staff at one of the giant’s various divisions are sharing their stories of shock and disappointment – unsurprising, given that Activision made the announcement during an earnings call with investors, and staff were reportedly informed of their fate only afterwards.

To add insult to injury, the staff cuts are being made despite the firm’s ‘record’ profits during the latter part of 2018 – according to boss Bobby Kotick, Activision didn’t realise its ‘full potential’ last year and so, as the firm focuses its attention on its biggest franchises, hundreds of staff are being let go.

The news has rightly sparked debate about the way staff in 18 63 gaming’s largest companies Contents 6 are treated. While job losses in the industry are nothing new, the severity of Activision’s cuts, and the cold way they Attract mode Interface Toolbox Rated were reportedly announced (staff had little more than rumours to go on for several weeks, according to Kotaku) 06. Mineko’s Night Market 18. Sumo: the big little indie 28. CityCraft 56. Crackdown 3 is troubling to say the least. Meowza Games talk us through their We pay a visit to the Sheffield-based Ways to make your horror game The orb-hunting open-world series Firms like Activision may have carnival of crafting and cats makers of OutRun 2 and Snake Pass locations even scarier returns in acceptable style to answer to their investors, but they should also, surely, have a 10. 24.  30.  58. duty of care to the workers that Tales of the Neon Sea Interactive: Just Ski Structurally Sound Spinnortality make these companies their We find out more about a great- Meeting the solo dev who makes How music and sound intertwine to Murky morality makes for a solid fortunes in the first place. looking cyberpunk adventure physics games in his basement create atmospheric game worlds cyberpunk strategy sim

Ryan Lambie 12. Devil May Cry 5 44. Wizball’s music origins 32. Source Code 63. Wargroove Editor Hands-on with Capcom’s latest Gothic How songwriting experience gave us a The code behind Missile Command’s It’s Advance Wars, basically, but there’s hack-and-slash Commodore 64 classic unforgettable vapour trails a very nice dog in it

16. Incoming 50. Team 17 34. Squeezing the Beeb 64. The Hong Kong Massacre Dolls with green eyes, grumpy bears Exploring the Alien Breed and Worms How to fit a 1kB score attack game John Woo-inspired shooter lacks 44 and cafés for the dead dev’s early years and games onto the BBC Micro grace under fire

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