King to replace employees with AI: Controversy grows at Candy Crush studio

King , the creator of the popular game Candy Crush , is at the center of a heated controversy after it learned it would be replacing laid-off employees with artificial intelligence (AI) tools . The case has caused a stir not only because of the number of layoffs, but because the technologies that would now fill those positions were developed, at least in part, by the affected workers themselves .

The news came shortly after Microsoft , King's parent company, announced mass layoffs affecting several divisions, including its video game studio. An estimated 200 King employees lost their jobs , many of them developers, designers, and data analysis specialists.

The use of AI in video game development is not new, but what has sparked debate is the abrupt and direct way in which King reportedly replaced human talent with algorithms . According to internal reports and public statements, some of the tasks previously performed by employees will now be taken over by automated tools developed in-house.

Most controversial is that those same tools would have been conceived or fine-tuned by the now-fired team , which has been interpreted by critics as a professional betrayal and an example of how automation can turn against those who build it .

A statement from Steve Collins , King's chief technology officer, did little to calm the situation. In a recent interview, Collins claimed the company was seeking to establish itself as an "AI pioneer," which was interpreted as a validation of the company's move to replace human personnel with automated systems.

The news has generated a strong wave of reactions from the developer community, emerging unions, and video game fans. Several industry professionals described the decision as "inhumane and destructive to the creative ecosystem," warning that such practices could affect not only employment but also the artistic and narrative quality of games.

Furthermore, King's case is part of a broader trend in the industry, where large corporations prioritize efficiency and cost reduction through technology, often at the expense of job security and the professional development of their employees.

On social media, users harshly criticized the company, stating that " Candy Crush will now taste like a layoff " and that King is " squeezing human creativity into soulless code ." The debate also reignited the need for labor regulations in the face of the advance of artificial intelligence , especially in industries where innovation is moving at a rapid pace.

The situation raises a troubling question: Are we moving toward a developer-less video game development model ? While automation can make repetitive or technical tasks easier, many experts argue that the creative process behind video games relies on human ingenuity, sensitivity, and expertise .

Replacing workers with AI could also affect the diversity of ideas , as automated tools rely on data models that often reproduce pre-existing patterns. This, in the long run, could translate into less innovative and more homogeneous products , affecting both the player experience and the artistic potential of the medium.

On the other hand, some industry executives argue that AI allows for faster time optimization, error reduction, and faster experimentation , which could benefit small studios if implemented ethically. However, the King case has highlighted the risks of prioritizing immediate profit over employee well-being.

Beyond King, this case is a symptom of a global phenomenon : the silent replacement of human tasks by algorithms, even in industries where creativity should be the most protected value. The lack of dialogue between companies and workers, as well as the absence of clear ethical frameworks, could trigger deeper conflicts in the short term.

Faced with this scenario, various sectors are calling for a redefinition of the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace, promoting an approach that complements, not replaces, human talent. Only in this way can we guarantee a sustainable, innovative, and fair video game industry for those who make it possible.