Sledgehammer Games

Sledgehammer Games is an American video game developer based in Foster City, California, founded July 21, 2009 by Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey, formerly of EA Redwood Shores where they created Dead Space. They are a primary Call of Duty development studio alongside Infinity Ward and Treyarch, with additional offices in Melbourne, Toronto, and Guildford.

Sledgehammer Games Origin Story

From Dead Space to Call of Duty

Schofield and Condrey met at EA on 007: From Russia with Love in 2005. They collaborated on Dead Space afterward. After founding Sledgehammer in July 2009, they proposed a third-person Call of Duty spin-off to Activision. CEO Bobby Kotick brought them in as an independent studio within Activision. They worked on a Call of Duty Vietnam title before being redirected to co-develop Modern Warfare 3 in 2010 when the Infinity Ward leadership crisis hit.

Sledgehammer Games Key Releases

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011)

Co-developed with Infinity Ward. Grossed over $400 million on launch day.

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014)

Sledgehammer’s first fully led Call of Duty game. Introduced exoskeleton suit mechanics and boost jumping. Starred Kevin Spacey as the antagonist.

Call of Duty: WWII (2017)

A return to World War II, the first since World at War in 2008. Well received, the setting a welcome change from the futuristic direction the series had been heading.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021) and Modern Warfare III (2023)

Vanguard received mixed reception. Modern Warfare III’s return of classic MW2 maps was a highlight despite criticism of the campaign length.

Leadership Changes and Layoffs

Schofield and Condrey both left in February 2018. In January 2024, Sledgehammer lost up to 30 percent of its staff in Microsoft Gaming layoffs. The studio also closed its Foster City office with California staff working remotely. They continue operating as one of Activision’s primary Call of Duty developers.