Summary
- Greg Reisdorf, the multiplayer creative director for Call of Duty, has left Sledgehammer Games after 15 years of service.
- He played a significant role in developing various Call of Duty titles, starting with Modern Warfare 3 in 2011.
- Reisdorf spearheaded the multiplayer development for 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, including live season modes and additional content.
Call of Duty Multiplayer Creative Director Greg Reisdorf Leaves Sledgehammer Games After 15 Years
Greg Reisdorf, the multiplayer creative director for Call of Duty, recently announced his departure from Sledgehammer Games after a dedicated 15-year tenure at the studio. Reisdorf's journey began with the development of the iconic Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, released in 2011, marking his first project with the studio.
Sledgehammer Games, founded on July 21, 2009, in Foster City, California, made its mark in the gaming industry with the release of Modern Warfare 3 just two years after its inception. Over the years, the studio has collaborated with other renowned developers 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 widely popular Call of Duty: Warzone.
On January 13, Reisdorf took to Twitter to confirm his departure from Sledgehammer Games on January 10, reflecting on his extensive career and achievements in a detailed thread. His rise through the ranks started with contributions to Modern Warfare 3, notably the Scorched Earth campaign mission. One of his standout moments from this game was the memorable sequence in the Blood Brothers campaign mission, where Soap is on a gurney, which Reisdorf described as "one of the most fun and chaotic moments" he worked on.
Reisdorf's influence extended into the "boots off the ground" era of Call of Duty, with significant contributions to Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. He was instrumental in developing gameplay systems such as boost jumps, dodging, and tactical reloads, as well as unique weapon signatures, energy weapons, and multiplayer maps. However, he expressed mixed feelings about the "Pick 13" system, believing that streaks should not impact essential items 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 locked weapons to specific classes, limiting player freedom—a decision that was swiftly reversed post-launch. His work on Call of Duty: Vanguard focused on multiplayer, emphasizing discovery and traditional three-lane maps, which he prefers for their fun gameplay over military simulation.
Finally, Reisdorf shared his experiences with the development of multiplayer maps for 2023's Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. He relished the opportunity to revisit classic maps from Modern Warfare 2 (2009), adding unique touches such as Shepherd's skull on Rust. As the creative director of multiplayer, he directly contributed to 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, showcasing his dedication to the game's post-launch support. Looking forward, Reisdorf hinted at continuing his career in the gaming industry, eager for new challenges and opportunities.
