Former Call of Duty mastermind Glen Schofield isn’t mincing words about the franchise’s direction since Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard. In a recent interview with VGC at Gamescom Asia, Schofield, who helmed titles like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Advanced Warfare, and WW2 at Sledgehammer Games, expressed his concerns about the series’ future.
“I worry about it immensely, I really do,” Schofield admitted, comparing the situation to Microsoft’s handling of Gears of War and Halo. He suggested that once a franchise is absorbed by a large company, it can start to take on some of their less appealing traits. Schofield also hinted that the change in bonus systems might be affecting the quality of the games.
Since leaving Sledgehammer in 2019, Schofield hasn’t held back his opinions on the Call of Duty games released post his tenure. “I hate doing this, but since I left Sledgehammer, none of the games have been very good,” he said. “They still sell well, you know, that happens. But I always wonder ‘why did you take that guy out, it’s not going to work later’, and very few times does that work.”
After leaving Sledgehammer, Schofield directed The Callisto Protocol, aiming to recapture the horror and atmosphere of the original Dead Space, which he also worked on during his time at EA. The reception was mixed, but Schofield’s insights into the Call of Duty franchise have certainly sparked conversation among fans.
