Why is CoD made by two companies?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As an industry specialist on AAA gaming franchises, one question I‘m often asked by fellow enthusiasts is: "Why is Call of Duty made by two different companies?"

On the surface, it does seem unusual for a franchise as massive as Call of Duty to alternate between two developers year-after-year. In this deep dive, I‘ll unravel the method behind this madness and why it works.

The Origins of Call of Duty

Call of Duty began life in 2003 under Infinity Ward, founded by former Medal of Honor developers. Activision bankrolled the studio in exchange for intellectual property rights.

The first Call of Duty game released in October 2003 on the PC, focused on World War 2 combat. With its intense action and cinematic set-pieces, it was a hit and many sequels followed.

After Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare revolutionized things in 2007 with contemporary settings and multiplayer loadouts, the franchise exploded into an annualized behemoth.

The Business Strategy Behind Multiple Studios

With Activision demanding a new Call of Duty every year, Infinity Ward alone could not cope. High-quality AAA games take at least 3 years to develop with playtesting and polishing.

Activision‘s solution was to utilize a 2 studio, 3-year rotational system. While Infinity Ward handled the Modern Warfare series, Treyarch would develop the Black Ops story line.

This model allowed each studio 3 years dev time per title, while Activision still published annual entries. Later Sledgehammer Games entered the fray for 3-way rotation.

2016Infinite WarfareInfinity Ward
2017WWIISledgehammer Games
2018Black Ops 4Treyarch

As we see above, a new Call of Duty comes out every year from alternating studios.

Specializations of the Studios

Separating development also allows each studio to play to their strengths. For example:

  • Infinity Ward defined the military simulation style of early CoDs.
  • Treyarch pioneered the much-loved Zombies mode with custom storylines.
  • Sledgehammer introduced advanced movement like wall running in their titles.

This differentiation helps prevent franchise fatigue…

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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