Today, there has been unfortunate news from the Call of Duty camp, as Activision Blizzard has announced mass layoffs. Former employees confirmed that Activision is making significant cuts in the eSports department, including releasing casters, on-air talent, senior-level eSports managers, and the entire team of ‘CDL observers’. This news is particularly impactful as it follows just one day after the conclusion of the CDL’s Major I tournament in Boston, which was a great success.
Activision Blizzard had the teams work through the Major before laying them off immediately after the event. The future of the CDL is uncertain, with claims that there are only about 12 people left on the eSports team at Activision Blizzard. Call of Duty has been experiencing challenges, with recent delays and issues affecting Challengers in particular, and now the game’s top-flight league is facing intense criticism.
From Bad to Worse
Last year, around fifty employees were laid off at Activision Blizzard, affecting both the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League. Recently, the Overwatch League was shut down, and an entirely new ecosystem of esports was introduced. There are now expectations that similar changes will take place within Call of Duty’s ecosystem. For years, fans have voiced concerns about the Call of Duty League, particularly the tournament’s franchising structure that has limited competition and weakened its appeal.
In a statement on Twitter, Josh Lee, a former member of the CDL observer team, said:
‘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.’
Several organizations and companies related to Call of Duty have also faced significant layoffs, such as Sledgehammer Games, the developer of Modern Warfare 3, which recently saw a 30% cut in its staff base. The Call of Duty space has experienced various ups and downs, including the decision to move the CDL to YouTube, impacting viewer counts for the league.
What Happens Now?
Despite the devastating layoffs, the Call of Duty League is proceeding as usual, with the Major II qualifying stage commencing on February 16. While there are concerns about potential monumental changes after the current season, for now, everything remains ‘business as usual’. We will cover all the developments as they unfold.
For more Call of Duty news, stay tuned to Esports.net
