Amazon Games Cuts 180 Jobs and Shuts Down Crown Channel

Amazon Games is undergoing another round of internal restructuring, resulting in the elimination of more than 180 positions. The company confirmed it is shuttering the Crown channel on Twitch and discontinuing its Game Growth division as part of a strategic shift toward core gaming operations.

Christoph Hartmann, Vice President of Amazon Games, outlined the changes in an internal memo, citing the need to reallocate resources toward projects with the highest growth potential. This move marks the second significant reduction for the division this year, following the layoff of approximately 100 employees in April.

Refocusing on Prime Gaming and In-House Titles

The decision to close the Crown channel—a project that previously faced scrutiny over reports of inflated viewership—is part of a broader effort to optimize Prime Gaming. Hartmann noted that consumer feedback indicates a stronger preference for the monthly free game offerings, which will now receive increased corporate focus.

According to company spokesperson Brittney Hefner, the organizational changes aim to streamline the division’s primary mission: the development and publishing of high-quality titles. The company’s current pipeline includes:

• Internal development of major projects, including a new New World-related expansion and an upcoming Lord of the Rings game.
• Publishing efforts for external titles, such as Throne and Liberty and Blue Protocol.
• Continued collaborations with studios like Glowmade and Disruptive Games.

Addressing the Impact

The restructuring effectively ends the Game Growth group, which was previously tasked with assisting third-party developers in marketing their titles. Regarding the 180 affected employees, Amazon stated that it is providing severance packages, outplacement services, and extended health benefits to support the transition.

Despite the cutbacks, Hartmann emphasized that the company remains committed to its long-term gaming roadmap. He noted that while certain initiatives are being sunsetted, internal studios continue to actively recruit for roles dedicated to new intellectual property development.