Microsoft Corp. is pushing its employees at mobile game studio King, known for titles such as Candy Crush and Farm Heroes Saga, to increasingly rely on artificial intelligence (AI) tools, following significant workforce reductions.
A recent report by Mobilegamer.biz revealed that King has already cut around 200 positions, and remaining staff are expected to integrate AI into daily tasks. According to sources cited in the report, Microsoft aims for employees to use AI tools for up to 70-80% of general work, including game development and content creation. The move comes amid broader investments by the technology giant in AI across its gaming portfolio.
The report highlighted internal concerns at King, where employees have expressed hesitation about using AI tools due to fears of further job losses. Staff also described a challenging workplace environment, with leadership decisions often made without detailed explanation, adding to uncertainty among developers, artists, and writers.
Analysts suggest that Microsoft’s strategy reflects both a drive to reduce operational costs and a broader effort to integrate AI into game development. However, some employees remain wary of relying on AI for creative tasks, citing potential issues with quality and copyright risks. Projects like Microsoft’s Muse initiative, which uses generative AI to create gameplay experiences, exemplify the company’s expanding use of AI in the gaming industry.
Despite these changes, King continues to maintain a portfolio of popular mobile titles, and the company has not announced further workforce adjustments. The development highlights ongoing tensions between AI adoption and creative roles within the video game sector.