Another round of layoffs in the esports business has already dulled the optimism for a brighter future for Overwatch esports. This time, Activision Blizzard has let go of numerous longstanding members of the OWL broadcast and talent teams, as well as apparently its entire esports crew. Commentator Matt “Mr. X” Morello and host/analyst Salome “Soe” Gschwind-Repp, two of the OWL’s most well-known figures who have been on the broadcast from the league’s first season in 2018, are among those laid go.
The Boston Breach Major I event for Call of Duty League was completed on Sunday, January 28. With Toronto Ultra defeating Atlanta FaZe 4-1, it was an amazing spectacle to see. Just 12 people remain at Activision Blizzard’s esports section after the company reportedly cut rid of 60 of its 72 workers just two days later. Several of the most skilled people in the esports industry are unemployed in this 83% reduction.
Morello says he intends to “stay involved” with Overwatch in some way. He revealed last week that he has been working behind the scenes to assist prepare the upcoming Overwatch Champion Series. Although Soe expressed sadness that her visit had to end early, she did imply that she could have been anticipating the news because she was “ready for the call with champagne.”
Scott Parkin along with 60 people laid off
Scott was regrettably among the sixty people laid off today. All of the full-time observers at the Call of Duty League were laid off in addition to Scott. The core of the Call of Duty League was the observing crew, who called attention to each play and made sure the broadcast ran well. Just two years ago, the Call of Duty League even produced a mini-documentary about its observers, praising their amazing job. A number of observers and broadcasters have been let go. Days after returning from working on the Boston Major, a number of CDL personnel were just notified that they had been placed on layoff.
Microsoft said on January 25, 2024, that 1,900 workers of Activision Blizzard and Xbox had been let go. But it wasn’t until today that the employees of the Call of Duty League Major in Boston were notified. Activision Blizzard’s Scott Parkin, Senior Manager of Esports Operations, said they had “zero reassurances they will have a job when [they] get back home.”
Community shows disappointment on X formal Twitter
The Activision Blizzard community has received criticism, but it has also shown solidarity for everyone let go today on X. Samuel “Octane” Larew, a former professional Call of Duty player, said of Scott, “He’s one of the most amazing people I’ve met through COD.” I’m sorry to see him no longer contributing to Call of Duty.
It looks like ESL FaceIt Group will now run the Call of Duty League in addition to their current dominance over the Call of Duty Challengers scene and Overwatch esports. This is probably the last year of the Call of Duty League because Activision Blizzard’s esports division is down to a skeleton staff of 12 personnel managing everything.
