Candy Crush developer King reportedly forced to use AI tools by Microsoft following mass layoffs

It has been claimed that Microsoft is enforcing mandatory AI use at King, the developer behind the popular Candy Crush series, pressuring staff to use the tools on a daily basis.

The details:

• According to a new report from MobileGamer.biz, after 200 employees were let go from King as part of Microsoft’s widespread layoffs last month, morale among its remaining staff is low. Employees at King are now said to be expecting further cuts after a manager reportedly said that the workforce was “bloated” and that reductions were necessary.
• It’s claimed that some affected employees were rehired after the initial cuts, while others are now taking legal action over their severance packages, which are said to have been illegal. “We all took lawyers, and they were pretty clear that the proposals weren’t legal,” an anonymous source told the publication. “But I decided in the end to sign, simply because I fear getting even less, and I don’t believe we can win against a corporation like Microsoft.”
• Sources have claimed that Microsoft chose who to let go from the company by ignoring performance and instead simply keeping those who it could “trust” onboard. Another former employee has stated that King’s “Annual Operation Plan” included impossible-to-reach targets, leaving staff to question whether they were set up to fail.
• Microsoft has also been accused of pushing AI onto the subsidiary, having set a goal of "70 or 80% daily usage of AI on general tasks" last year, which has since reportedly increased to 100% AI usage. This mandate is said to affect "every artist, designer, developer, and even manager," but another source claims that it isn't working as well as Microsoft expects, with little AI usage beyond ChatGPT.

More gaming news:

• Atari has acquired several IPs from Ubisoft with plans to re-release the games with new content on modern platforms.
• EA has confirmed that Skate will release in early access next month.