Overview

• Approximately 200 midlevel designers, copywriters, researchers and managers have been laid off from King as part of Microsoft’s gaming division downsizing.
• The AI tools developed by those teams for tasks like level playtesting and automatic level tweaking are now serving as their replacements.
• Employee morale has plunged, with many staff describing frustration over what they call an inept HR response and perceived targeting of vocal employees.
• Several senior staff have been placed on gardening leave ahead of their departure, while union negotiations remain ongoing.
• King’s internal memo signals a strategy to streamline operations and expand AI integration under a new organizational chart set for September.