Overview
- Greg Reisdorf, the multiplayer creative director of Call of Duty, has departed from Sledgehammer Games after a remarkable 15-year tenure.
- He was instrumental in the development of multiple titles within the franchise, beginning with 2011’s Modern Warfare 3.
- Reisdorf recently oversaw multiplayer development for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023), which featured various live seasonal modes and content expansions.
Greg Reisdorf’s Departure from Sledgehammer Games
Greg Reisdorf, who held the position of multiplayer creative director at Call of Duty, has officially announced his exit from Sledgehammer Games after an impressive 15-year career. His journey in the gaming industry began with his involvement in the iconic Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, released in 2011, where he contributed significantly to its development.
Founded on July 21, 2009, in Foster City, California, Sledgehammer Games made its mark in the gaming world by launching Modern Warfare 3 just two years later. The studio has collaborated with industry giants such as Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software throughout its history, culminating in the release of upcoming titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the well-known Call of Duty: Warzone.
Reflections on a Significant Career
On January 13, 2025, Reisdorf took to Twitter to confirm his departure, which took effect on January 10. In a reflective thread, he shared his achievements and the profound experiences he amassed during his time at the studio. His rise within Sledgehammer Games was marked by his contributions to the campaign mission of Modern Warfare 3, particularly the Scorched Earth mission and the memorable moment involving the character Soap, which Reisdorf described as “one of the most fun and chaotic moments”of his career.
Friday was my last day at Sledgehammer Games after 15 years. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities and amazing developers I worked with. Here’s a thread sharing some of my favorite features I worked on during my time. 🧵 — Greg Reisdorf (@gregreisdorf) January 13, 2025
Innovative Contributions and Gameplay Evolution
Reisdorf played a key role in shaping the “boots off the ground”gameplay experience in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, contributing to innovations like boost jumps and tactical reloads. His expertise also extended to the creation of dynamic weapon signatures and engaging multiplayer maps. However, he expressed mixed feelings about the implementation of the “Pick 13″system, arguing against intertwining gameplay streaks with primary and secondary weapon availability.
Reisdorf’s insights into Call of Duty: WW2 revealed challenges concerning weapon restrictions tied to specific class divisions. He was relieved when this decision was swiftly overturned post-launch. In Call of Duty: Vanguard, he was pivotal in the design of multiplayer elements, particularly favoring traditional three-lane maps, which he believes enhance player enjoyment over a strictly military simulation approach.
Looking Ahead
In his final reflections, Reisdorf noted the rewarding challenge of developing multiplayer maps for 2023’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. He relished revisiting and revitalizing iconic maps from Modern Warfare 2, incorporating Easter eggs like Shepherd’s skull into the gameplay. As the creative director, he directly managed the live seasonal modes, including fan-favorite events such as Season 1’s Snowfight and Infectious Holiday modes. Over his tenure, he contributed to the creation of more than 20 distinct modes throughout Modern Warfare 3’s post-launch support.
With his departure from Sledgehammer Games, Reisdorf has teased the possibility of future ventures within the gaming industry, indicating that although he is moving on, his passion for game development remains steadfast.
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