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.
After an impressive 15-year tenure, Greg Reisdorf, the creative director for Call of Duty multiplayer, has announced his departure from Sledgehammer Games. Reisdorf's journey with the studio began with the development of the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, released in 2011, marking the start of his significant contributions to the franchise.
Founded on July 21, 2009, in Foster City, California, Sledgehammer Games quickly made its mark by releasing Modern Warfare 3 just two years later. Over the years, the studio has collaborated with industry giants like Treyarch, Infinity Ward, and Raven Software on numerous Call of Duty titles, including the latest releases such as 2024's Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and the continuously popular Call of Duty: Warzone.
On January 13, Reisdorf took to Twitter to confirm his exit from Sledgehammer Games, which occurred on January 10. In a detailed thread, he shared his journey and accomplishments within the studio. His career took off after contributing to Modern Warfare 3, notably the Scorched Earth campaign mission and the memorable sequence in the Blood Brothers mission where Soap is on a gurney—a moment Reisdorf described as "one of the most fun and chaotic" he worked on.
Call of Duty Multiplayer Creative Director Greg Reisdorf Leaves Sledgehammer Games After 15 Years
Reisdorf played a pivotal role in the "boots off the ground" era, significantly influencing Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare by developing gameplay systems such as boost jumps, dodging, and tactical reloads. His work also extended to unique weapon signatures, energy weapons, and the design of multiplayer maps. However, he expressed some reservations about the "Pick 13" system, believing that streaks should not impact essential equipment like primary and secondary weapons.
Reflecting on Call of Duty: WW2, Reisdorf discussed the initial state of the game at launch, particularly the Divisions system that restricted weapon choices to specific classes. He was pleased with the swift reversal of this decision post-launch. His contributions to Call of Duty: Vanguard included enhancing the multiplayer experience with discovery elements and traditional three-lane maps, which he favored for their fun gameplay over military simulation.
In his final project, 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Reisdorf enjoyed revisiting and reimagining classic maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009), such as adding Shepherd's skull to the Rust map. As the creative director of multiplayer, he was directly involved in developing live season modes, including Season 1's Snowfight and Infectious Holiday modes. Throughout the year of post-launch support for Modern Warfare 3, Reisdorf worked on over 20 modes, showcasing his dedication and creativity.
Looking ahead, Reisdorf hinted at continuing his career in the gaming industry, eager to explore new opportunities and challenges beyond Call of Duty.
