Artificial intelligence assumes roles previously held by Candy Crush developers, as company downsizes workforce
In a move that's raising eyebrows in the gaming industry, King, the creators of the popular game Candy Crush, are undergoing significant changes. The company, now owned by Microsoft, is implementing a "rebalancing of headcount" that has resulted in the layoff of around 200 staff members, with potential cuts extending beyond this initial number [2][3].
The affected departments primarily include middle management, UX, narrative copywriting, level design, and user research teams [3]. What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is that many of the laid-off employees were involved in building and training AI tools that are now being used to replace them [1][2]. This includes AI models for level design and copywriting [3].
The London-based Farm Heroes Saga team is being significantly reduced, with about 50 people leaving, including key leadership positions [3]. Internal surveys indicate morale is at an all-time low, and there are reports of HR targeting employees who express dissatisfaction [3].
Similar staff reductions have been observed at other gaming companies, making King's situation part of a larger trend of companies replacing human workers with AI. Microsoft, King's parent company, is also reportedly focusing on using AI to replace human roles, with sources indicating that AI tools are being increasingly used across its gaming division [2].
The internal memo sent by King to staff provides further details about the layoffs. While the memo does not explicitly state that AI is replacing human employees, the context suggests this possibility. King claims that this staff reduction will help them remain competitive.
The use of euphemisms like "rebalancing of headcount" to conceal staff layoffs is a common strategy in corporate communications. However, the layoffs at King include staff who worked on AI tools, which raises questions about the role of AI in these changes.
This situation is not isolated to King. The layoffs have also affected other parts of Microsoft's gaming division, including Halo Studios, where employees have expressed frustration with the layoffs and the push to replace jobs with AI [2].
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the integration of AI is becoming increasingly prevalent. While this technology offers numerous benefits, it's crucial to consider its impact on the human workforce and the need for transparency in corporate communications.
- The integration of artificial-intelligence, particularly in the level design and copywriting sectors, is a notable element in the job losses at King, the creators of Candy Crush.
- As the gaming industry increasingly relies on AI, questions about its impact on the human workforce and the need for transparency in corporate communications continue to arise, with King's situation serving as a prime example.
