Call of Duty Studio Loses Multiplayer Development Director

Longtime Call of Duty Creative Director Departs Sledgehammer Games

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

Reisdorf's journey with Sledgehammer Games, which began shortly after its 2009 founding, saw him rise through the ranks. His early work on Modern Warfare 3 included pivotal contributions to the campaign, notably the memorable sequence featuring Soap MacTavish in the "Blood Brothers" mission.

His influence extended to significant gameplay innovations. In Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, he played a key role in shaping the "boots on the ground" era, contributing to the development of features like boost jumps, dodging, and tactical reloads. While he acknowledges mixed feelings about the "Pick 13" system in Advanced Warfare, his contributions to unique weapon signatures, energy weapons, and multiplayer maps remain significant.

Reisdorf also reflected on his experiences with Call of Duty: WW2, noting the initial controversy surrounding the weapon-class restrictions and expressing satisfaction with the subsequent adjustments. His work on Call of Duty: Vanguard focused on delivering enjoyable, traditional three-lane maps, prioritizing fun gameplay over strict military realism.

His most recent role saw him lead the multiplayer development for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023), overseeing live season content, including the popular Snowfight and Infectious Holiday modes. He oversaw the creation of over 20 modes throughout the game's post-launch support. The project included the nostalgic revisiting of classic Modern Warfare 2 maps, adding subtle yet impactful details like Shepherd's skull in the Rust map.

Reisdorf's departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Call of Duty's history, but his statement suggests a continued presence within the gaming industry.