Microsoft may be forcing team behind Candy Crush mobile game to use AI, after cutting 200 jobs

Microsoft has made massive investments in AI technology, with many of its gaming properties impacted. In particular, King, the Candy Crush developer, recently saw its workforce decimated. A new Mobilegamer.biz report details how Microsoft wants its remaining employees to heavily rely on AI. However, fearing further job losses, the staff is hesitant to use the tools.

The article focuses on the toxic atmosphere that King employees work in on a daily basis. Leadership often makes decisions without explaining their rationale to developers and artists. When Microsoft eliminated 200 positions, individuals were targeted without consideration of their performance.

The compulsory use of AI adds to the uncertainty that the surviving King employees face. According to a Mobilegamer source, the company had expectations for “70 or 80% daily usage of AI on general tasks”. AI would replace more workers, who, ironically, helped develop and train the tools.

King has had considerable success with mobile games like Candy Crush and Farm Heroes Saga. Even so, the move would threaten key developers, artists, and writers. Analysts speculate that Microsoft wants to shed expenses and justify its support of the AI industry. Yet, the employees are reluctant to embrace these shortcuts.

Why developers and gamers fear an AI-powered future

In addition to losing their jobs, creators scoff at the often poor quality of the work the tools generate. Because the technology utilizes an existing database of code and artwork, copyright infringement is another potential risk.

AI solutions like ChatGPT, which simplify common office tasks, may be a less contentious issue. Still, gamers are wary of machine-generated assets replacing the efforts of talented artists. In one example, Microsoft’s Muse project employs generative AI to create gameplay experiences.