Remember back in February when Activision Blizzard laid off almost 800 employees amidst record revenue? The decision that the company decided was a bad idea a month later? It looks like the Blizzard half of the pair is looking to undo some of the damage. The company has put up a hiring notice for a Hearthstone Community Manager.
Among the nearly 800 employees laid off, 209 of them were from Blizzard’s side, according to Game Rant. And of the 209 was the Hearthstone community management team. One former community manager who was affected by the layoffs in February voiced her displeasure regarding the notice on Twitter.
Really Blizzard? You laid off your entire HS community team and left it in shambles. Other CMs you laid off are still looking for work (not me) and you post this? SHAMEFUL. SHAME ON YOU. https://t.co/BiJ9P9tjgd
— Christina Mikkonen (@ZerinaX) July 2, 2019
Of course, it’s entirely possible that this hiring notice is for replacing a community manager that survived the purge, and left after the fact. But on the flip side, and especially considering the company’s comments about reducing operational costs, it’s equally possible that Activision Blizzard is looking for experienced hires that wouldn’t cost the company as much in wages.
It’s certainly not a good look for Activision Blizzard either way. Sure, it may be a step in getting back on track for the company. But for the affected ex employees, it may just be another reason to call for the firing of Bobby Kotick.
