2025-07-02T21:50:22Z

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Blizzard Entertainment has announced a significant shift in the future of its mobile strategy game, Warcraft Rumble, stating it will no longer pursue new content development. Instead, the company will concentrate on providing regular in-game events and addressing bugs for the game. This decision comes during a tumultuous period for Microsoft, Blizzard's parent company, which is laying off approximately 9,000 employees worldwide as part of a larger restructuring effort.

While Blizzard did not elaborate extensively on the reasons behind the decision, it is evident that Warcraft Rumble has not met the high expectations set by the studio. According to Blizzard, the game has “struggled to find its footing” within the competitive landscape of mobile gaming, leading the developers to explore various avenues for improvement over the last few years. Despite some signs of progress in this development journey, the effort ultimately fell short of creating a sustainable product, as highlighted in their statement.

Originally announced in 2019 under the name Warcraft Arclight Rumble, the game was designed to be a high-profile mobile adaptation of the cherished Warcraft franchise, similar to how Hearthstone successfully transitioned its card game mechanics to mobile devices. Warcraft Rumble offers a gameplay experience akin to a more adaptable version of Clash Royale, where players command miniature armies in both player-versus-player (PVP) scenarios and single-player challenges. Key strategic decisions revolve around the timing and placement of characters on the battlefield, requiring players to think critically about their moves.

Further reports from Aftermath have indicated that the decision to wind down development on Warcraft Rumble is closely linked to the broader layoffs taking place within Microsoft, which are impacting Blizzard's operations significantly. While some members of the team responsible for Rumble’s content will be reassigned within the studio, others will face layoffs, as mentioned in an internal email from Blizzard president Johanna Fairies, which was reviewed by Aftermath. Notably, Blizzard's public communications have avoided directly addressing the layoffs, instead emphasizing that they are focused on supporting their existing team members during this challenging time.

Although Warcraft Rumble will continue to operate in a reduced capacity for the moment, the restructuring at Microsoft has resulted in the outright cancellation of several other upcoming Xbox games, notably Everwild and Perfect Dark. The fallout from these layoffs is further evidenced by the departure of prominent industry talent; for instance, Greg Mayles, known for his work on Donkey Kong Country and as the creative director of Sea of Thieves, is leaving Rare. Additionally, Matt Firor, director at ZeniMax Online Studios, announced his exit following the cancellation of the studio’s next MMO, as noted on social media platform X.