- Activision Blizzard gutted its esports division, laying off 60 of 72 employees just 2 days after a successful Call of Duty Major tournament.
- All full-time observers for the Call of Duty League lost their jobs, despite being praised for their work in past years.
- The community expressed disappointment and support for the departed employees on social media. The future of the Call of Duty League looks bleak with only 12 Activision Blizzard employees left.
The Call of Duty League concluded its first Major tournament of 2024 this past weekend. Toronto Ultra emerged victorious after a thrilling grand final against Atlanta FaZe. However, tragedy struck just two days later. Activision Blizzard gutted its esports division, leaving just a skeleton crew of 12 employees out of 72.
The Mass Layoffs Begin
On January 25th, Microsoft announced 1,900 layoffs at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. But esports employees working the Call of Duty Major event in Boston were left unaware until January 30th. Scott Parkin, Senior Manager of Esports Operations at Activision Blizzard, said they received zero job security assurances before returning home. Unfortunately, Scott was one of the 60 laid off from the esports division today.
Observers Let Go
Along with Scott, all full-time observers for the Call of Duty League lost their jobs. These observers were the backbone of the broadcasts, highlighting key moments and ensuring smooth operations. Just two years ago, the League made a mini-documentary praising their incredible work.
Community Support for Laid Off Employees
The community expressed disappointment in Activision Blizzard’s actions and support for the departed employees on social media. Former Call of Duty pro Octane Larew said of Scott: “He’s one of the most incredible people I’ve met through COD. Saddened to see him not working on Call of Duty anymore.”
The Future Looks Bleak
With ESL FaceIt Group now controlling the Challengers scene and Overwatch esports, it appears they will also take over the Call of Duty League operations. With only 12 Activision Blizzard employees left to oversee things, this may be the Call of Duty League’s final year.
