Video game developer Blizzard Entertainment expected to cut 136 jobs from Cork office 

Located in Blackpool in Cork, Blizzard Entertainment employs around 200 people. The company established itself in Ireland in 2007, with the Cork office acting as a support centre for group entities in the Activision Blizzard group.

Fears of job cuts were first prompted in October last year when tech giant, Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard a record-breaking, $69m deal.

Just a few months after the deal was finalised, Microsoft announced plans on Thursday to cut 1,900 staff across its video-game divisions including at Activision Blizzard which has offices in both Cork and Dublin. 

Across both locations, it is believed the group entities employ more than 400 people, half of which are in Cork. 

Raising the issue in the Dáil, People Before Profit TD, Mick Barry said Blizzard workers had outlined several concerns regarding the proposed redundancies, adding that the company “refuses to engage with the trade union chosen by these workers to represent them.”

“Companies should not be allowed to waltz into this country, announce life-changing cutbacks to people’s jobs and simply refuse to talk to the representatives chosen by people who have given long years of service to their employer,” Mr Barry continued.

Last month, Blizzard Entertainment informed both staff and the government of potential redundancies across its Irish operations but did not confirm how many employees would be impacted.

First established in 1991, Blizzard Entertainment is headquartered in Irvine California and has developed several highly successful games including World of Warcraft, Diabolo and Overwatch. 

Activision Blizzard has been contacted for comment.