Call of Duty Studio Loses Multiplayer Development Director

Veteran Call of Duty Multiplayer Creative Director, Greg Reisdorf, Departs Sledgehammer Games After 15 Years

After a remarkable 15-year tenure at Sledgehammer Games, Greg Reisdorf, the creative director behind Call of Duty's multiplayer experiences, has announced his departure. His contributions spanned numerous Call of Duty titles, beginning with the development of Modern Warfare 3 in 2011.

Reisdorf's journey with Sledgehammer Games, established in 2009, saw him play a pivotal role in shaping the multiplayer landscape of several iconic games. His involvement extended beyond Sledgehammer's own projects, encompassing collaborations with Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software on various Call of Duty releases, including the recent Black Ops 6 and Warzone.

In a heartfelt Twitter thread on January 13th, Reisdorf confirmed his departure, effective January 10th. He highlighted key achievements, including his work on Modern Warfare 3's memorable "Blood Brothers" campaign sequence and the impactful "Scorched Earth" mission.

Reisdorf's influence extended to the innovative "boots on the ground" era of Call of Duty, with his contributions to Advanced Warfare's mechanics, such as boost jumps and tactical reloads, significantly impacting gameplay. He also oversaw the creation of unique weapon signatures and energy weapons, alongside the design of several multiplayer maps. He openly discussed his reservations about the "Pick 13" system, expressing his belief that killstreaks should remain distinct rewards, separate from essential loadout choices.

Reflecting on his work on Call of Duty: WW2, Reisdorf addressed the initial controversy surrounding the game's class-restricted weapon system, highlighting the swift reversal of this decision post-launch. His contributions to Call of Duty: Vanguard included the development of both discovery-based and traditional three-lane maps, a design preference stemming from his focus on enjoyable gameplay over strict military realism.

His most recent role involved overseeing the multiplayer design of 2023's Modern Warfare 3, including the nostalgic reimagining of classic Modern Warfare 2 maps and the addition of subtle yet impactful details. As creative director, he spearheaded the development of numerous live season modes, such as Season 1's Snowfight and Infectious Holiday, adding over 20 modes to Modern Warfare 3's post-launch content.

Reisdorf's departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Call of Duty's history, but his concluding remarks suggest a continued presence within the gaming industry. His legacy will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.