Blizzard will cease creating new content for Warcraft Rumble, its free-to-play mobile strategy game, shifting focus to regular in-game events and bug fixes. This move coincides with Microsoft’s announcement of up to 9,000 global layoffs affecting various divisions, including Blizzard.
The studio acknowledged that Warcraft Rumble did not meet its expectations and struggled to gain traction. Efforts to improve the game over recent years showed some progress but ultimately fell short of achieving sustainability.
Originally announced in 2019 as Warcraft Arclight Rumble, the game aimed to bring Blizzard’s popular franchise to mobile devices. It features gameplay similar to Clash Royale, involving strategic deployment of miniaturized armies in player versus player and single-player challenges.
According to Aftermath, the decision to wind down Warcraft Rumble directly relates to broader Microsoft workforce reductions. Some team members working on new content will be reassigned within Blizzard, while others will be laid off. Blizzard’s public statement briefly referenced support for affected employees without disclosing specific details.
While Warcraft Rumble will continue in a reduced capacity, other future Xbox projects like Everwild and Perfect Dark have been cancelled amid the restructuring. Significant talent losses have also occurred, including Rare’s lead designer Greg Mayles departing and ZeniMax Online Studios’ director Matt Firor leaving after their MMO cancellation.