Amazon halts MMO development and focuses on social games

Amazon has announced significant changes in its gaming division, including the cessation of development on most first-party AAA MMO projects. According to a memo from Steven Boom, Vice President of Audio, Twitch, and Games, the company is halting work on MMO games, which will lead to staff reductions at the studios in Irvine and San Diego, as well as in the central team responsible for publications.

Among Amazon's current MMOs are New World: Aeternum, Throne and Liberty, Lost Ark, and the announced joint development of an MMO based on "The Lord of the Rings." Despite this, Amazon is not completely abandoning games: Studio 5 will focus on creating lighter social games with artificial intelligence elements, optimized for the recently updated cloud service Luna.

Luna offers a catalog of social party games and AAA hits, making the service appealing to Prime users. Additionally, Amazon successfully conducted a closed alpha for the MOBA March of the Giants, and collaboration with Crystal Dynamics on the new Tomb Raider game and with Maverick Games on an open-world racing game continues.

These steps indicate the company's commitment to focus on areas where it can provide a unique experience, combining streaming technologies and innovations in the gaming industry. The memo also notes that these changes are difficult and will result in the loss of part of the team, but they are necessary for the continued growth of the business. Management promises support and open dialogue with all employees affected by these changes.