Xbox has reached an agreement with ‘Crash Bandicoot,’ ‘Spyro’ dev Toys for Bob for their new game
What it’s essential know
- Recently, Microsoft acquired Activision-Blizzard-King in a blockbuster $72 billion deal that gave the software program large management over franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush Saga.
- Included within the acquisition was legendary studio Toys for Bob, who’ve labored on franchises like Skylanders, Spyro the Dragon, and Crash Bandicoot, throughout a 30-year historical past.
- Last month, Microsoft and Toys for Bob agreed to half methods with the latter spinning out into an impartial firm.
- Microsoft retains possession of Skylanders, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and different properties related with Activision.
- Our sources have confirmed that Toys for Bob has now finalized an agreement with Xbox to fund their first title.
Microsoft lastly completed its blockbuster acquisition of Activision-Blizzard-King a number of months in the past, giving the agency management over mega franchises like Call of Duty, Candy Crush Saga, and World of Warcraft.
As a part of the acquisition, Microsoft additionally snapped up a ton of different studios and franchises, together with traditional Activision game collection’ like Guitar Hero, Skylanders, and lots of extra.
In yesteryear, the legendary staff at Toys for Bob had been instrumental in constructing out Activision’s large Skylanders franchise, which included toys-to-life gameplay components, much like Nintendo’s amiibo line. Players might purchase small collectible figurines with NFC chips baked in, after which place these characters throughout the Skylanders video game by way of a USB peripheral “portal.” Toys for Bob additionally remastered numerous Crash Bandicoot titles, in addition to producing a fourth instalment “Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.” However, lately and in the course of the Covid-19 pandemic particularly, Toys for Bob had been more and more leaned on by Activision to assist the monolithic Call of Duty effort, working as a assist studio on numerous entries within the collection.
Sources have indicated to me beforehand that Toys for Bob’s tradition did not gel properly with Activision’s oft-restrictive company mandates, and so they had been excited for the chance to spin out as impartial in agreement with Microsoft. When they initially spun out, they launched a press release indicating that they had been “confident” they’d work with Activision and Xbox sooner or later and that they had been exploring a “possible” partnership. It now appears these talks have bared fruit.
Toys for Bob has reaches an agreement with Xbox
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During a current townhall assembly described to us by sources acquainted with the occasion, a staffer requested the panellists about Toys for Bob, given that they are now going impartial separate from Microsoft and Activision. Toys for Bob’s management was adamant about protecting the staff collectively, and likewise about returning to the fashion of game the studio is thought for.
Microsoft referenced how they spun out Twisted Pixel prior to now, as an various choice to shuttering studios. Matt Booty, now main Xbox’s game content material division, reportedly stated that an agreement has now been reached between Xbox and Toys for Bob for their first game as an impartial studio. However, he stopped in need of describing precisely what will probably be, though he did say one thing alongside the strains of, and I’m paraphrasing, “it will be similar to games Toys for Bob has made in the past.”
Toys for Bob could also be impartial, however the reality they advised followers to “keep their horns on” might be in reference to Spyro the Dragon, which enjoys a passionate fanbase to today. The humorous 3D platformers that Toys for Bob is usually related with are nonetheless owned by Microsoft, however for now, don’t have any devoted developer. It appears solely seemingly that Toys for Bob’s first game out of the gate might both be throughout the Crash or Spyro pantheon, however it is also one thing else fully, maybe Toys for Bob’s very personal IP. Perhaps long-suffering Banjo Kazooie followers might get a glimmer of hope from this deal too. Either approach, it is extremely encouraging to see Toys for Bob will proceed to get to do their personal factor, whereas additionally retaining their staff and tradition. Perhaps the game will present up day one on Xbox Game Pass as properly?
The story of Toys for Bob has been a little bit of a refreshing brilliant spot in an trade that has been fraught with layoffs, tightened budgets, and elevated prices lately.
