Nothing is going well at the moment in video games and the numerous layoff problems are affecting the much-loved studio responsible for the latest Crash Bandicoot.
The development studio behind the popular Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remasters and the much-loved Crash Bandicoot 4 could be on the verge of shutting down. This news follows a series of layoffs announced by Microsoft, affecting a total of 1,900 positions. According to an article published on February 8, 2024 in the San Francisco Chronicle, part of these job cuts led to the closure of Toys 4 Bob in Novato…
The end of Crash Bandicoot?
Although no official confirmation has yet been given by Toys 4 Bob, Activision Blizzard or Microsoft regarding the studio’s effective closure, the impact of this news is already being felt in the gaming community as well as the gaming industry video in general.
Known not only for his work on the Crash Bandicoot saga but also for the successful remasters of Spyro and the creation of the successful Skylanders series, Toys 4 Bob has played a crucial role in today’s video game landscape. The potential disappearance of this studio would therefore symbolize a great loss for the fans of these franchises and for the industry itself. Not to mention the drama itself that job loss represents for many developers. We also hope that if all this turns out to be correct, that everyone will be able to bounce back quickly. In the current context, this is not always easy.
According to details provided by reporter Stephen Totilo, of the 162 recent layoffs announced, 86 would directly affect Toys For Bob staff, while 76 would affect Sledgehammer Games. This substantial reduction in the workforce is quite catastrophic…
The threat to Toys 4 Bob is a reminder of the ephemeral nature of the video game industry and raises questions about the future of iconic series such as Crash Bandicoot and Spyro, cherished by generations of gamers. You have to admit it. Could Crash Team Rumble be the very last episode of the franchise? Hopefully Microsoft can do something else with it in the future.