Toys For Bob made a significant announcement today, declaring its return to independence as a studio separate from Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
In a statement posted on the company’s website, studio heads Paul Yan and Avery Lodato expressed their enthusiasm for this new chapter. “We believe that now is the time to take the studio and our future games to the next level,” they remarked. “This opportunity allows us to return to our roots of being a small and nimble studio.”
While the decision marks a departure, Toys For Bob is not severing all connections with Microsoft, as it is currently exploring potential partnerships with its former parent company.
Although the studio is tight-lipped about its upcoming projects, it’s confirmed to be working on a new game, the details of which will remain undisclosed for the time being.
Yan and Lodato made it clear that they’ve received unwavering support from Activision and Microsoft in their pursuit of this new direction.
The studio’s future location remains uncertain following Microsoft’s recent decision to lay off 86 Toys For Bob developers and close its physical office, part of broader organizational restructuring within the Xbox division.
Established in 1989, Toys For Bob boasts an impressive portfolio spanning various successful franchises. From its early work on Star Control to contributions to Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Guitar Hero spin-offs, the studio gained widespread recognition with the Skylanders series, notably Skylanders: Spyro’s Adventure.
In recent years, the studio has been behind hits like Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and Crash Team Rumble, while also lending its expertise to Call of Duty projects such as Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone.
