Toys For Bob, the developer behind Crash Bandicoot 4: It is About Time, has introduced that it’s going unbiased. This comes just a few months after it was acquired by Microsoft as a part of the Activision Blizzard acquisition and within the wake of huge layoffs at Xbox.
Introduced in a blog post, Toys For Bob is changing into an unbiased studio, spinning out from beneath Microsoft. Whereas there aren’t any particulars about what kind of deal was made to achieve independence, the weblog submit does state that Toys For Bob is presently in talks to associate with Microsoft on future initiatives. The weblog submit additionally reveals that Toys For Bob is within the early levels of growing its subsequent sport, though it is not clear if will probably be a brand new IP.
“And whereas we’re within the early days of growing our subsequent new sport and a methods away from making any bulletins, our workforce is worked up to develop new tales, new characters, and new gameplay experiences,” the studio stated within the submit.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, 86 workers have been laid off from Toys For Bob as a part of Microsoft’s 10,000 layoffs in January. It was additionally reported that the studio’s workplace was closed, transferring these remaining to distant work. Previous to its work on Crash Bandicoot, Toys For Bob was greatest recognized for the Skylanders collection. Lately, it has primarily labored as a help studio for Name of Responsibility.
Toys For Bob won’t be the one studio gaining independence, as latest stories recommend that each Saber Interactive and Gearbox may be bought by Embracer Group within the coming weeks.