What you need to know
- Toys for Bob is the developer of the celebrated game Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time.
- Activision now has Toys for Bob working on Call of Duty: Warzone development.
- Various Toys for Bob talent has reportedly been "let go."
Update April 30, 2021 at 2:37 pm ET: Activision has provided the following statement.
Reports of layoffs at Toys For Bob are incorrect. There has not been a reduction in personnel recently at the studio. The development team is operating fully and has a number of full-time job openings at this time. The studio is excited to continue supporting Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, and more recently provide additional development support to Call of Duty: Warzone.
The original story can be found below:
In a shocking twist following the largely positive reception to the Crash Bandicoot revival game Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, the developers behind the lauded platformer are now being folded into the larger pool of developers responsible for maintaining Call of Duty: Warzone.
Toys for Bob made the news official on Twitter.
Toys for Bob is proud to support development for Season 3 of Call of Duty #Warzone, and look forward to more to come. #LETSGO dev squads! #Verdansk84 pic.twitter.com/ERmFSWeaIkToys for Bob is proud to support development for Season 3 of Call of Duty #Warzone, and look forward to more to come. #LETSGO dev squads! #Verdansk84 pic.twitter.com/ERmFSWeaIk— Toys For Bob (@ToysForBob) April 29, 2021April 29, 2021
A former member of the Crash Bandicoot 4 team, Nicholas Kole, hopped on Twitter to react to the news. In his tweets, he referenced that all of the people he'd worked with had been "let go."
Same! Altho everyone I interfaced with and worked along was let go, I’m very glad it’s not a totally shutteringSame! Altho everyone I interfaced with and worked along was let go, I’m very glad it’s not a totally shuttering— Nicholas Kole (@FromHappyRock) April 30, 2021April 30, 2021
Further details on the loss of talent at TFB are scarce, though it's heartbreaking to think about the talented developers who are now out of work amidst the pandemic. It's also worth noting that these developments cast a large cloud over the future of the Crash Bandicoot franchise, which recently saw a resurgence with the well-received N-Sane Trilogy and aforementioned fourth mainline installment.
If you would like to experience one of the most critically adored platformers in recent memory, Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time is available on Xbox Series X and Xbox One, as well as PC (requires Windows 10).
