Sledgehammer Games
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | July 21, 2009 |
| Founder | Glen Schofield, Michael Condrey |
| Headquarters | Foster City , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Call of Duty series |
| Owner | Activision |
Number of employees | 450+ (2021) |
| Parent | Activision |
Sledgehammer Games, Inc. is a United States-based video game developer established in 2009 by former executives of EA Redwood Shores, Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, who were also the creators behind Dead Space. The company’s headquarters are located in Foster City, California, and it primarily focuses on creating and co-producing entries in the Call of Duty franchise. Sledgehammer operates as a subsidiary under Activision.
By 2024, Sledgehammer Games had closed its California office, transitioning its workforce to remote arrangements amid a restructuring within Microsoft Gaming that included a 30% reduction in personnel. Despite this, the studio continues to maintain an international presence with branches in Melbourne, Toronto, and Guildford, supporting its expansion and competitiveness in the video game market.
History
The founders of Sledgehammer Games, Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, initially worked together at EA Redwood Shores starting in 2005 on projects such as 007: From Russia with Love and subsequently on Dead Space (2008 video game). Leveraging their complementary expertise, they launched Sledgehammer Games on July 21, 2009. Their initial pitch to Activision involved developing a third-person Call of Duty spin-off, aiming to build upon their prior successes. Under CEO Bobby Kotick’s vision for independent studios, Activision brought Sledgehammer into its fold, enabling the studio to maintain creative independence while benefiting from publisher resources.
In 2009, the studio produced a 15-minute prototype for this proposed Call of Duty project. However, following a legal conflict that led to the exit of Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella, Activision assigned Sledgehammer to collaborate with Infinity Ward on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, which had a demanding 20-month development timeline. This partnership was unprecedented within the franchise, merging two distinct development teams despite their differing approaches.
February 2014 saw Sledgehammer announce its work on a new Call of Duty installment, later unveiled as Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which launched on November 4, 2014. The studio continued with Call of Duty: WWII, announced in April 2017 and released on November 3 that same year.
Both Schofield and Condrey left the company in early 2018 but retained ties with Activision. Condrey subsequently joined 2K Games’ Bay Area-based studio 31st Union, while Schofield went on to establish Striking Distance Studios.
During the creation of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020), creative disagreements between Sledgehammer and Raven Software prompted Activision to designate Treyarch as the lead developer, with Sledgehammer and Raven serving in supporting capacities.
Sledgehammer expanded its footprint internationally by opening studios in Melbourne by September 2019, Toronto in May 2021, and Guildford in the UK by October 2021. As of August 2021, its workforce exceeded 450 employees across these sites. The studio took the lead on developing Call of Duty: Vanguard, which was released on November 5, 2021.
After leaks surfaced mid-2023, Sledgehammer developed Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, marking the twentieth entry in the series, which launched on November 10, 2023.
In January 2024, restructuring within Microsoft Gaming led to layoffs at Sledgehammer Games estimated at up to 30%, impacting its operational capabilities during ongoing development efforts.
Operations and culture
Sledgehammer Games functions out of a purpose-built facility that includes open-concept work areas, state-of-the-art development technology, and an in-house theater. By August 2021, the studio's workforce numbered around 450 employees. Newly onboarded team members are presented with a challenge coin engraved with the company's fundamental principles, a custom rooted in World War I military tradition that represents team affiliation and embodies the corporate ethos.
Games
| Year | Title | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows | Developed jointly with Infinity Ward |
| 2014 | Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare | PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows | |
| 2017 | Call of Duty: WWII | ||
| 2021 | Call of Duty: Vanguard | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Windows | |
| 2023 | Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III |