Amazon Games boss Mike Frazzini has resigned to focus on his family. However, this departure should not affect Lost Ark or New World.
Although Amazon is a leader in several markets (cloud, e-commerce), video games are not among them. Though titles like Lost Ark and New World could change the game, there’s still a long way to go. A path perhaps made easier by the departure of Amazon Game Studios boss Mike Frazzini.
Termination for personal reasons
As so often, the information comes from Bloomberg by Jason Schreier: mike Frazzini, head of Amazon Game Studios, left the company to focus on his family.
It doesn’t seem to have spread, but Amazon sent out this brief statement:
Mike was with Amazon Game from the very beginning, and his leadership and perseverance made it possible to rebuild the video game industry from the ground up. Our recent successes with Lost Ark and New World are the long-term, customer-centric vision he helped build. We are very grateful for all his contributions and wish Mike all the best.
Amazon Game Studios rescued from Lost Ark and New World?
A priori, behind the scenes, things are different because, according to Bloomberg, Frazzini would have been criticized by several people for his lack of experience with video games. In fact, he originally ran the giant’s books division and was moved because Amazon seems to assume that if you can succeed in one business, you can replicate it in another. Quite a strange concept…
Mike Frazzini would have been the primary cause of Amazon Game Studios failure all along, despite all the money spent. At least $500 million a year. Despite this inexperience, the man probably ignored all advice and had only one goal: to make games that pay well, very big, without considering the bigger picture. So it’s not surprising to have seen Crucible flop or the Lord of the Rings MMO shut down. But the future looks brighter.
For now, New World is a huge hit, as is Lost Ark Early Access. The beginning of glory? Possible if Amazon Game Studios manages to get their hands on a leader who knows the job and knows where to go.
