Toys for Bob Splits from Activision – What Does This Mean for Crash and Spyro?

In a surprising announcement, longtime Activision studio Toys for Bob revealed that it is spinning off into an independent game developer. 

After nearly 20 years as part of Activision, the studio behind Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon is looking to return to its indie roots. 

But what exactly does this mean for the future of Crash, Spyro, and other Toys for Bob properties?

Toys for Bob Goes Solo

Toys for Bob has been responsible for some of Activision’s most iconic and beloved franchises over the past two decades. 

Founded in 1989, the studio created the hugely popular Skylanders series and delivered stellar remakes of Spyro and Crash Bandicoot with the Reignited Trilogy and Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time.

However, in a blog post earlier today, Toys for Bob announced they are leaving Activision to become an independent studio once again. 

While 86 employees were laid off earlier this year ahead of this move, Toys for Bob says this will allow them to “return to their roots of being a small and nimble studio.”

What About Crash and Spyro? A Microsoft Partnership Offers Hope

Losing the backing of Activision means Toys for Bob will no longer have automatic access to properties like Crash and Spyro. 

However, the studio noted they are exploring a possible partnership with Microsoft.

Both Microsoft and Activision seem supportive of Toys for Bob’s new direction, so it’s possible we could see the studio continue working on Crash and Spyro in some capacity as an independent developer aligned with Xbox.

A Clean Break From Call of Duty

In recent years, Toys for Bob largely operated as a support team on Call of Duty projects after Activision acquired the studio in 2005. 

Becoming independent appears to be a clean break from CoD development as Toys for Bob looks to get back to innovating with its own new original IP.

While details on Toys for Bob’s first indie project are scarce, the studio says it’s still in the early concept stages. 

However, Toys for Bob emphasized a desire to recapture the spirit and culture that led to success with Spyro, Crash, and Skylanders.

A Wave of Newfound Independence

On the same day as the Toys for Bob news, Saber Interactive and Gearbox also reportedly broke free of Embracer Group‘s control. 

This wave of studios reclaiming independence shows the volatility of large corporate gaming ecosystems.