Disheartening news emerges from the Call of Duty esports scene, as Activision Blizzard makes significant cuts to its team.
The timing of Activision Blizzard's layoffs is particularly impactful, coming just a day after the Call of Duty League's (CDL) Major I tournament in Boston, which enjoyed considerable success. The move suggests that the company had the esports teams maintain their roles throughout the tournament, only to let them go as soon as the event concluded.
This development raises questions about the future direction of the company's esports endeavors, especially in light of the event's achievements and the sudden nature of the layoffs.
It is uncertain what lies ahead for the CDL, but sources suggest that only around 12 individuals remain on the esports team at Activision Blizzard.
Challenges and Uncertainty Prevail
The rough patch Call of Duty is experiencing, with recent delays and challenges affecting Challengers, has put increased scrutiny on its top-tier league.
Last year saw the departure of roughly fifty workers from Activision Blizzard, influencing both the Overwatch League and Call of Duty League. The Overwatch League was subsequently dismantled, leading to a new esports ecosystem taking shape.
Rumors abound that similar changes could be on the horizon for the Call of Duty ecosystem.
Long-time fans have long criticized the Call of Duty League's franchise structure, which has restricted healthy competitors and diluted the competitive landscape.
Recent Wave of Layoffs
A series of layoffs has also been sweeping through organizations closely associated with Call of Duty.
Sledgehammer Games, the developer behind Call of Duty, also experienced significant staff reductions recently, with layoffs affecting 30% of their employees. These layoffs are a result of Microsoft's broader restructuring efforts following their acquisitions of Activision Blizzard and Zenimax.
In a tweet, Josh Lee, formerly associated with the CDL observer team, commented:
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.
Josh Lee
Recent developments such as the league's transition to YouTube have met resistance from fans and negatively affected viewership numbers. This move, part of an exclusive streaming rights deal with Google, signaled Activision Blizzard's commitment to leveraging YouTube's vast user base and advanced video capabilities.
But the preference of many fans still leans toward Twitch, indicating a complex dynamic in platform choice and viewer engagement within the esports community.
As the CDL adapts to YouTube's environment, it navigates the complexities of reaching a new audience segment while striving to maintain its core viewer base, a balancing act that is crucial for the league's continued growth and success in the competitive esports market.
A New Reality
With mass layoffs and organizational changes taking place within the esports scene, it remains to be seen how the CDL will adapt.
Currently, there's no sign of further developments beyond the recent layoffs at Activision. While this is a significant blow to those affected, the Call of Duty League remains operational, with the Major II qualifying stage set for February 16. For the time being, operations continue as normal.
However, there's speculation that once this CDL season concludes, we might witness significant transformations within the league, potentially reshaping its future direction and structure.
