Former Call of Duty Designer Critiques Activision's Profit from Re-releases
Written with artificial intelligence.
Gavin Goslin, a former designer for Call of Duty, has criticized Activision executives for profiting from the re-releases of Black Ops 1 and 2 while original developers receive no financial benefits. His comments highlight ongoing issues in the gaming industry regarding the treatment of talent and compensation.
Criticism of Executive Profiteering
Gavin Goslin, a former level artist and designer at Treyarch, has publicly criticized Activision executives for their financial gains from the re-releases of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2. In a LinkedIn post, Goslin expressed his disappointment that while the games, created over a decade ago, continue to sell well, the developers who worked hard on them see no compensation from these profits.
The Success of Black Ops Re-releases
Released in July, the re-releases of Black Ops 1 and 2 have reportedly sold around 11 million copies, generating nearly $450 million for Activision and its parent company, Microsoft. Despite being simple re-releases rather than full remasters, they were the highest-earning games in July and ranked as the fifth highest of the year, according to US data-tracker Circana.
Call for Change in Industry Practices
Goslin's initial post about the situation gained traction, prompting him to follow up with a statement acknowledging the growing conversation around the issue. He emphasized the need for legacy protections and rewards for developers who contributed to these successful titles, especially as they continue to generate significant revenue years later.
Upcoming Releases
As the gaming community reflects on these issues, the latest installment, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, is set to launch on October 23, 2023. The game has received positive early reactions, particularly concerning its campaign, and reviews are anticipated soon.