UPDATE: Raven Software Lays Off Members Of Its QA Team

Update 12/06/21 11:30 a.m. Central time: Monday, an Activision spokesperson reached out to Game Informer The following is a statement from Raven Software regarding last week’s layoffs. It states that 500 contracted employees will be made full-time while 20 contractors were fired. You can read the statement below.

“Activision Publishing has increased its total investment in developing and operating its resources. We are converting approximately 500 temporary workers to full-time employees in the coming months. Unfortunately, as part of this change, we also have notified 20 temporary workers across studios that their contracts would not be extended.”

This is detailed in the new report. PolygonRaven Software employees are protesting the dismissal of 12 contract workers last Friday. They plan to walk out from work today. According to the report, Raven employees are demanding that “Every member of the QA team, including those terminated on Friday, must be offered full time positions.”

Read more Polygon’s You can read the entire report at this link. 

Current 12/03/21, 7:19 PM Central Time New Report from The Washington PostRaven Software has provided further information about today’s layoffs. The outlet reports that “at most a dozen” of Raven’s QA contractors have been fired. According to the outlet, this represents about one third of all the QA department’s testers. There will likely be more contractors being told today (December 3), and the next Wednesday, Dec 8, depending on whether they are promoted or laid off. Washington Post writes. 

Activision Blizzard reports that the partnership it had with Tapfin to staff its employees has been ended. The company Volt will now be its partner. Volt employees will be the only ones who are not affected today by the layoffs. The employees were also informed that Volt employees will be receiving a $1.50 pay raise which will bring their hourly earnings up to $18.50 and increase bonuses and other benefits. Washington Post. 

The contracts of employees affected by the layoffs will expire on January 28. But, according to the outlet’s reports, they are permitted to leave the firm earlier. The outlet reports that some employees have decided to leave the company. 

Please read The Washington Post Full report available at Link. 

Original story Raven Software, one of the primary development studios behind Activision’s annual Call of Duty series, has laid off a number of people within its QA department – some of which recently relocated to Madison, Wisconsin, where the company is based. 

Raven team members started posting on Twitter about the story, criticizing the company and inviting people to contact them with potential work. At the moment, we don’t know how many people have been laid off. 

Raven employees stated that the layoffs would not only affect their work load but will also reduce morale. Separately, the employees said that today’s layoffs were due to Activision promising people for months that it was working toward a pay restructuring in an effort to boost their wages.

Another employee wrote on Twitter, “This is disgusting.” After being promised better, I have seen each of my coworkers say goodbye. These devs are amazing and star workers, they were fired to make it easier for everyone else. #FireBobbyKotickInstead,” they stated, in reference to the continuing issues around Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. This was reported recentlyHad known about company’s financial problems for years but had not informed its board. Sexual misconduct issues. 

Raven workers claim that some members of Raven’s QA team who were affected by the layoffs today had moved to Madison (Wisconsin) for their jobs. According to one employee, some employees had “outsourced” the cost of moving.

Based on employees, further reported The Washington Post Shannon Liao: The last day employees can be fired will be January 28, 2022. 

Un employee shared that they were all “recovering” from the incident. There were many tears. Many were afraid for their lives. Many talented and highly qualified testers were laid off after years spent crunching after crunch. As furious and broken as I can be, I feel it.”

This is a developing story. Game Informer Activision has been contacted for comments and we will keep you updated if they respond. 

If anyone affected by today’s layoffs would like to speak with Game InformerYou can reach the author of this article via email blakehester@gameinformer.com. Signal is another way to contact Hester. Direct Message him on TwitterHis Signal number. GI Anyone who requests anonymity can be assured