Summary
- Call of Duty multiplayer creative director Greg Reisdorf has left Sledgehammer Games after 15 years.
- He was a key developer on various Call of Duty titles, starting with Modern Warfare 3 in 2011.
- Reisdorf led development of multiplayer for 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, including live season modes and content.
Call of Duty multiplayer creative director Greg Reisdorf recently announced his departure from Sledgehammer Games after a remarkable 15-year tenure. Reisdorf played a pivotal role in developing all the Call of Duty titles produced by Sledgehammer Games, beginning with his contributions to the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, released in 2011.
Sledgehammer Games, founded on July 21, 2009, in Foster City, California, made its mark with the launch of Modern Warfare 3 just two years later. Over the years, the studio collaborated with industry giants like Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software on numerous Call of Duty releases, including the latest 2024's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the fan-favorite Call of Duty: Warzone.
On January 13, Greg Reisdorf took to Twitter to confirm his exit from Sledgehammer Games on January 10. In a detailed thread, he shared his achievements and experiences as a developer. Reisdorf's career at Sledgehammer Games took off following his work on Modern Warfare 3, where he was instrumental in creating the Scorched Earth campaign mission. Among his most memorable contributions was the gripping sequence in the Blood Brothers campaign mission, where Soap is on a gurney—an experience Reisdorf described as "one of the most fun and chaotic moments" of his career.
Call of Duty Multiplayer Creative Director Greg Reisdorf Leaves Sledgehammer Games After 15 Years
Reisdorf played a significant role in shaping the "boots off the ground" era of Call of Duty, contributing to the development of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's gameplay systems, including boost jumps, dodging, and tactical reloads. He also worked on unique weapon signatures, energy weapons, and multiplayer maps for Advanced Warfare. However, he expressed mixed feelings about the "Pick 13" system, arguing that streaks should not impact the selection of essential items like primary and secondary weapons.
Reflecting on his work on Call of Duty: WW2, Reisdorf noted the initial limitations imposed by the Divisions system, which locked weapons to specific classes and curtailed player freedom. He was relieved when these restrictions were lifted shortly after the game's launch. His contributions to Call of Duty: Vanguard's multiplayer included the development of discovery and traditional three-lane maps, which he favored for their emphasis on enjoyable gameplay over military simulation.
Lastly, Reisdorf shared his experiences developing multiplayer maps for 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. He relished the opportunity to revisit and enhance classic maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009), such as adding Shepherd's skull on Rust. As the creative director of multiplayer, he directly influenced Modern Warfare 3's live season modes, including Season 1's Snowfight and Infectious Holiday modes. Throughout the year, Reisdorf worked on over 20 modes for Modern Warfare 3, and he expressed enthusiasm for his future endeavors in the gaming industry.
