Activision lays off a third of Raven Software's QA team Eurogamer.net If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy. Activision lays off a third of Raven Software's QA team "It's unfair to these people to string them along, promising something better, and then let them go." News by Vikki Blake Contributor Updated on 5 Dec 2021 48 comments Activision has laid off a third of the QA team from Raven Software. Washington Post reports that the studio - which co-created Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War with Treyarch - is calling in its quality assurance contractors for meetings between 3rd and 8th December. It's here staff will be told if they've been promoted or if they've been made redundant. Watch on YouTube Right now, it seems about a third of the team has been laid off, although the meetings are continuing until 8th December. Promoted staff are reportedly moving to full-time roles and an increased hourly rate of $18.50 (£14); redundant staff will be terminated on 28th January 2022. "I feel hurt and betrayed," one Raven Software contractor told The Post. "The majority of individuals who have had their meetings were fired. ...Everyone was told: 'You did nothing wrong' after being given the bad news." "I am gutted right now. My friends in QA at Raven were promised, for months, that Activision was working towards a pay restructure to increase their wages," tweeted Raven Software's associate community manager, Austin O'Brien. "Today, one by one, valuable members of the team were called into meetings and told they were being let go. I am gutted right now. My friends in QA at Raven were promised, for months, that Activision was working towards a pay restructure to increase their wages.Today, one by one, valuable members of the team were called into meetings and told they were being let go.- Austin O'Brien - Woodmancy (@eyyohbee) December 3, 2021 To see this content please enable targeting cookies. Manage cookie settings "These people were asked to relocate to Madison, WI to work here. Now they are out of a job on January 28th. Our QA team does incredible work but this will not only increase their workload but crush morale. "If it isn't clear, this is bullshit," O'Brien added. "It's unfair to these people to string them along, promising something better, and then let them go. I am infuriated right now." The layoffs come just days after Activision reported $2 billion in revenue during its last fiscal quarter. As Tom summarised for us a few days ago, last month Activision was the focus of a damning Wall St Journal report which detailed alleged sexual harassment, assault and inappropriate behaviour at the developer behind Call of Duty. It followed a stream of reports of a similarly toxic culture at sister studio Blizzard. Particular criticism was levelled towards Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, including claims of how much he knew, and suggestion he could have done more. The report's publication sent shockwaves through Activision Blizzard and around the games industry. Employees walked out and more than 1800 signed a petition demanding Kotick step down. PlayStation, Microsoft and Nintendo spoke out. But - for now - Kotick remains. Become a Eurogamer subscriber and get your first month for £1 Get your first month for £1 (normally £3.99) when you buy a Standard Eurogamer subscription. Enjoy ad-free browsing, merch discounts, our monthly letter from the editor, and show your support with a supporter-exclusive comment flair! Support us View supporter archive More News Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Atari will hold RollerCoaster Tycoon rights for another decade Ups and downs. 7 Lady Dimitrescu will be a tad smaller in Resident Evil Village's Mercenaries DLC Level the playing field. 1 Overwatch 2 suffers another DDoS attack and character roster bugs Mei Mei. 13 Latest Articles Digital Foundry Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090: a new level in graphics performance The Digital Foundry video review - and how the new GPU champion delivers for 4K 120fps gaming. Feature Evercore Heroes wants to wind people up the right way "There's less rage at them, because they didn't end your fun." Google announces cloud gaming Chromebooks less than a fortnight after Stadia shutdown GeForce Now preinstalled. 4 Genshin Impact Path of Gleaming Jade dates, login event rewards Including other anniversary rewards and how to claim them. Supporters Only Premium only Off Topic: Take a minute to appreciate Cookin' with Coolio's incredible scallops recipe. What a great book. Premium only Off Topic: Reading City of Glass in comic form "Where exactly am I going?" Premium only Off Topic: Il Buco is a transporting film about a really big hole Underlands. Off-Topic Netflix handled Sandman brilliantly It was Dreamy. 9 Buy things with globes on them And other lovely Eurogamer merch in our official store! Explore our store