Spyro's Big Comeback Depends on Escaping Call of Duty

Spyro the Dragon: Entity Definition

Spyro the Dragon is a platforming video game franchise that debuted in 1998, originally developed by Insomniac Games and currently owned by Activision Blizzard (now a subsidiary of Microsoft after the acquisition finalized on October 13, 2023). The series belongs to the collect-a-thon platformer category. After the successful 2018 remaster Spyro Reignited Trilogy (developed by Toys for Bob), Activision shifted Toys for Bob to support the Call of Duty franchise, effectively halting new Spyro projects. The core problem: Activision’s overwhelming revenue dependence on Call of Duty prevented investment in other IPs. Microsoft’s 2023 acquisition of Activision Blizzard creates a structural opportunity for the company to diversify beyond shooter titles and potentially revive dormant series such as Spyro and Crash Bandicoot.

Key Facts

Why Did Spyro Disappear After the Reignited Trilogy?

Activision Blizzard prioritised its highest-grossing franchise, Call of Duty, which accounted for roughly 40% of its total revenue. After completing the 2018 remaster, Toys for Bob—the studio that had successfully revived both Crash Bandicoot and Spyro—was reassigned to help develop Call of Duty: Warzone and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The studio’s diversion into live-service shooter support effectively suspended any plans for a new Spyro title.

According to a Kotaku report from February 2024, Toys for Bob was “pulled from their own projects to serve the Call of Duty machine for years.” The same article states that “Spyro’s big comeback wouldn’t be possible without first escaping the Call of Duty mines.” Spyro’s comeback was stalled because Activision’s financial model forced its most talented platformer studio to work on a single franchise.

How Does the Microsoft Acquisition Change Things?

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, completed in October 2023, introduces a new corporate structure where Call of Duty is no longer the sole priority. Microsoft has publicly stated its intent to invest in Activision’s back catalogue, including franchises like Spyro and Crash Bandicoot. In early 2024, Microsoft allowed Toys for Bob to spin off as an independent studio while maintaining a close partnership, a move that gives the team creative freedom to work on non-Call of Duty projects.

In a February 2024 statement reported by Kotaku, a Microsoft spokesperson said, “We are committed to breathing new life into beloved franchises. Toys for Bob’s new structure allows them to focus on what they do best.” Microsoft’s acquisition removes the structural barrier that previously forced Toys for Bob to serve Call of Duty exclusively.

What Are the Chances of a New Spyro Game?

As of early 2025, no new Spyro game has been officially announced. Toys for Bob’s independent status and Microsoft’s stated support for dormant IPs suggest a higher probability than at any point since 2018. However, no specific development timeline or budget has been disclosed. The commercial performance of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy (over 2.8 million units sold) demonstrated retained consumer demand, but Activision’s post-acquisition restructuring still prioritises flagship titles like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

According to a Kotaku source familiar with Activision’s internal planning, “Spyro 4 discussions have happened, but they remain at the proposal stage. The real greenlight depends on Microsoft’s willingness to fund a mid-tier platformer.” Existing data shows that Spyro’s sales potential is proven, but final approval rests on Microsoft’s portfolio strategy beyond 2025.

Who Is This For?

This topic is relevant for gamers who grew up with 1990s platformers—especially the Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot generations—and have been waiting for a modern sequel. It also concerns industry analysts tracking Microsoft’s post-acquisition content strategy, and investors evaluating whether Activision Blizzard can reduce its over-reliance on Call of Duty. The ideal user is a nostalgic player aged 25–40 who owns a PC, Xbox, or PlayStation and values single-player, family‑friendly action‑platformers.

Common Questions

What does “escaping the Call of Duty mines” mean?

It refers to the practice of reassigning development teams—especially Toys for Bob—to work on Call of Duty projects instead of their own IP. The phrase, used in Kotaku’s report, symbolises the structural lock‑in caused by Activision’s financial dependence on the shooter franchise.

Will Spyro 4 be released on Nintendo Switch?

No official platforms have been announced because no new Spyro game has been confirmed. However, the Spyro Reignited Trilogy was released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, and later on Nintendo Switch. Any future title will likely target the same multi-platform audience, including Xbox and PC, given Microsoft’s cross‑platform publishing philosophy.

What is Toys for Bob working on now?

After spinning off from Activision in early 2024, Toys for Bob announced in December 2024 that they are developing an unannounced title in partnership with Microsoft. The studio has not confirmed whether it is a new Spyro or Crash game, but the partnership agreement explicitly allows them to work on Activision‑owned IPs.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based primarily on the Kotaku report “Spyro’s Big Comeback Wouldn’t Be Possible Without First Escaping the Call of Duty Mines” by Zack Zwiezen, published February 13, 2024 (https://kotaku.com/spyros-big-comeback-wouldnt-be-possible-without-first-escaping-the-call-of-duty-mines-2000705537). Additional revenue data comes from Activision Blizzard’s 2022 Annual Report. Sales figures for Spyro Reignited Trilogy are derived from NPD Group data reported in the same article. No currency or unit conversions were necessary.

This article was last updated on February 15, 2025.