LogIn"Delivering free games every month is what [customers] want most."
Image credit: Amazon Games | New World
Amazon, among other companies like Google, Snap, and Zillow, announced a new wave of layoffs earlier this week, and now we know how many employees will be affected. A new email from VP of Amazon Games Christoph Hartmann states that "just over" 180 roles will be eliminated.
At the same time, Amazon wants to restructure its efforts, it is going to close two of its gaming initiatives: the Crown channel on Twitch and Game Growth, which helps developers market their games. instead, the company will focus on Prime Gaming.
"As such, the leadership team and I have made the difficult decision to close two of our initiatives – Crown Channel and Game Growth. We are also refocusing our efforts for Prime Gaming. We’ve listened to our customers and we know delivering free games every month is what they want most, so we are refining our Prime benefit to increase our focus there," Hartmann said (via The Verge).
He claims this decision was the result of "extensive considerations and road mapping" and says Amazon is proud of the eliminated teams' work but it has to pour its resources into delivering "great games to players now and in the future."
The laid-off employees will get severance pay, outplacement services, health insurance benefits, and more, according to the email, and a licensed counselor is available for them 24/7.
Meanwhile, Amazon is busy with other gaming efforts: it released MMO New World and published Lost Ark and is now working on publishing other games:
"We are focused on our upcoming publishing launches for Throne and Liberty and Blue Protocol, as well as future projects like our Tomb Raider and The Lord of the Rings games, and our projects with Glowmade and Disruptive Games."
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