After 19 Years With Activision, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro Developers Gain Independence – Toys for Bob Returns as an Indie Studio

Toys for Bob, the American video game developer known for their work on popular franchises such as Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Spyro Reignited Trilogy, has announced its return to the independent status after a recent round of layoffs at Microsoft.

Since 2005, Toys for Bob had been owned by Activision, recently acquired by Microsoft, creating popular titles like Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Skylanders for the last 19 years and lending its expertise for the development of recent Call of Duty games.

The studio is currently reverting back to being a private entity; deciding it is “time to elevate our studio and future games to the next level. This opportunity will allow us to return to our roots as a small, flexible studio”.

Encouragingly, Toys for Bob’s new direction was fully supported by both Activision and Microsoft. The studio is confident in maintaining close collaboration with both companies moving forward.

The company is also currently exploring potential partnerships with Microsoft. Though still in early stages, the new project from Toys for Bob is not yet ready for official announcements.

Before finalizing the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft Gaming’s CEO, Phil Spencer promised to grant Toys for Bob creative freedom and the opportunity to pursue the projects they desire.

While specific details about the incoming mysterious game are not yet ready to be shared, Toys for Bob remarked they are “excited to create new stories, characters, and gameplay experiences”.

This post was last modified on 03/01/2024

Julia Jackson: Hey there! I'm Julia Jackson, your friendly neighborhood tech geek, always navigating the exciting realms of technology with unbridled enthusiasm. Born and raised in the digital age, I've been on a relentless quest to understand and unravel the intricacies of the ever-evolving tech landscape. Hailing from a generation that witnessed the meteoric rise of the internet, I've been a digital native since the dial-up days. From the nostalgic hum of connecting to the World Wide Web to the lightning-fast speeds of today's fiber optics, I've witnessed and adapted to the digital evolution with a keen eye and a passion for all things tech. My love affair with technology goes beyond just using gadgets; I'm driven by an insatiable curiosity to understand the nuts and bolts that power our digital world. Whether it's coding languages, emerging technologies, or the latest in artificial intelligence, I'm always eager to delve deeper and unravel the mysteries that make our digital existence possible. Beyond my personal pursuits, I'm deeply committed to fostering a sense of community in the tech world. Whether through sharing knowledge on online forums, attending tech meetups, or mentoring aspiring techies, I believe in the power of collaboration and knowledge sharing to propel us all forward.