According to a recent MobileGamer.biz article, approximately 200 staff members at Candy Crush developer King face potential job losses amid Microsoft’s restructuring. Shockingly, AI systems they helped develop may assume their roles.

King, part of Activision Blizzard King acquired by Microsoft, significantly expanded the tech giant’s mobile gaming footprint through its flagship title. The merger was seen as strategic, bridging Microsoft’s previous lack of mobile presence.

However, insiders suggest these layoffs reflect broader corporate priorities focused on AI dominance rather than sustainable growth. Anonymous sources indicate that automation tools originally marketed as productivity aids are now displacing human roles entirely.

One insider revealed, “Level design teams are being replaced by the very AI systems they spent months refining. Similarly, copywriting roles are vanishing as generative tools take over.” The report also alleges leadership is targeting outspoken employees under vague pretenses, with HR allegedly prioritizing company interests over worker protections.

This contradicts earlier assurances from King’s AI director Sahar Asadi, who stated at GDC 2024 that AI would handle repetitive tasks, freeing staff for creative work. Internal communications now frame the cuts as streamlining measures, emphasizing reduced hierarchy and AI-driven efficiency.

Impacted teams reportedly include Candy Crush developers, half of Farm Heroes Saga’s staff, and employees across multiple European offices. Critics argue that sacrificing jobs amid strong performance reflects misplaced priorities, with one source lamenting, “Focusing solely on profits ignores the need for skilled teams to innovate.”