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Call of Duty series gets third studio - Report

  • By , GameSpot
  • Posted Nov 18, 2009 12:47 pm PT

The Los Angeles Times reports Infinity Ward and Treyarch are getting some backup in the wake of Modern Warfare 2's record-setting success.

The past several weeks have seen game-news headlines dominated by the $550 million launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. Now, with the game officially shattering the five-day sales record for any sort of entertainment property, it appears that Activision is increasing its backing of the series.

Activision is giving Infinity Ward and Treyarch some backup.

Activision is giving Infinity Ward and Treyarch some backup.

According to a report in today's Los Angeles Times, the publisher has now enlisted a third studio to help out in development of the Call of Duty series. Until now, Activision had a two-studio system that assured annual installments of Call of Duty. Currently, the series' creator, Infinity Ward, is focusing on the Modern Warfare branch of the franchise, which explores fictional near-future conflicts with cutting-edge technology. The second studio, Treyarch, had been focusing on World War II games, although it has since said it has finished with the conflict in the face of rumors that next year's title will be set during the Cold War.

What exactly the third Call of Duty studio will be working on remains a mystery. The Times did not name the shop and Activision had not responded to requests for identification as of press time. The paper also does not explain the third studio's role, saying only that it will be "working on future versions" of Call of Duty games. Those may include the current console and PC mainstays of the series, handheld spin-offs, Wii ports, or even possibly mobile games like the just-released iPhone title Call of Duty: Zombies. Another possibility is a rumored massively multiplayer Call of Duty spin-off, which cash-flush CEO Bobby Kotick teased in 2008.

311 Comments

  • supergamer514

    Posted Jan 7, 2010 3:48 pm GMT

    @ aaronfhff123- It'll just be your average fps, just like cod:waw was.

  • aaronfhff123

    Posted Jan 2, 2010 7:44 pm GMT

    I cant wait for COD7. I got my fingers crossed that it has bullet wounds and gore. If anythign the Modern weapons from MW@ should have put holes in people but they didn't and that doesnt feel rigth to me. Guns=messy bodies and every shooter should have a realistic amount of mess. Flying lead especially when flying the speed it does out of any modern assualt rifle from MW2 should put a red mark or hole in anybodies head. Infinity Ward doesnt seem to get that.

  • dark_being

    Posted Nov 29, 2009 10:31 pm GMT

    I'm with aaronfhff123. COD5 was way better than COD4 so I'm hoping COD7 will be better than 6

  • aaronfhff123

    Posted Nov 26, 2009 6:00 pm GMT

    Modern warfare 2 was a letdown... I have faith in treyarch to give us an epic, visceral, violent, and satisfying shooter. bring on COD7!!

  • vapor12

    Posted Nov 23, 2009 1:48 pm GMT

    space combat games have become really popular like the halo series and red faction series. i think it would be interesting to see them make a futuristic game. Then they'd have them all past present future

  • Yapjer

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 11:05 pm GMT

    My hope is that Treyarch will make a decent COD game with dedi servers, although i'm guessing that's gonna be a long shot

  • xialon

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 4:53 pm GMT

    The best reviews that Treyarch received was when they used IW's Modern Warfare engine. This second child of IW cannot put out a game that is better then what IW puts out. They are just milking fans for the money.

  • hannify

    Posted Nov 21, 2009 10:09 am GMT

    ffs. infinity ward tell them to fook off. There destroying your franchaises reputation

  • TheConjuration

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 4:10 pm GMT

    Hurr durr Cowa Dooty.

  • shawn_mitchel

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 2:08 pm GMT

    Call Of Duty
    Space Warfare XII

  • Narutofan30

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 11:54 am GMT

    I would say they would make a Nazi Zombie game but thats Treyarches territory, so im guessing they just make Wii & DS version of COD.

  • pomps709

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 9:18 am GMT

    @Kan0nF0dder:

    iight we got smoother character movements (thumbs twitching, eating, running, aiming, reloading, tackling another character and then stabbing him in the throat, better lighting, more guns, better guns, different locales, interesting use of civilians in the missions (human shields), improved multiplayer is an obvioius one so i wont go into that, there are more but you get the point...like i said all these are subtle differences that you have to pay attention to

  • pomps709

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 9:14 am GMT

    well infinity ward games are the only ones that matter to me so thats why i said what i said

  • BaLLz_ON_FiRE

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 7:46 am GMT

    Deserve's it !!!

  • steelmouth

    Posted Nov 20, 2009 3:10 am GMT

    @jasper061992

    Yah its very scary we may start getting a COD game every 6 months as if every year is not bad enuf

  • rann89

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:50 pm GMT

    They're going to regret opening up a whole new studio because of MW2. MW2 did so well because people had expections from MW1, not because MW2 was good. However, when they make MW3, people aren't going to remember MW1 again; they're going to remember the disappoint after they bought MW2 and all they'll be saying is "Well at least MW2's hype made it sell!" after firing a thousand employees in 3 years.

  • lostn

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:16 pm GMT

    Third studio will continue making WW2 shooters. Though I wouldn't mind a WW1 shooter either.

  • bisonfan2010

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 8:59 pm GMT

    I always stay one step behind the series...but if they get another studio involved to make more then I may stay two steps behind.

    (Means right now I'm finally preparing myself to get COD5 with some zombie action lol)

    I want to see a Vietnam one...that would be sweet....Also WW1....and why not I bet there were a ton of older wars in the late 1800s/ early 1900s with England. Why stay on WW2? Modern Warfare was pretty good yes, but you already know they are going to milk this one out big time. Lets get some imagination? Maybe Future also....soo many possiblities, yet they stay the same.

  • StephenBassford

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 8:30 pm GMT

    Because making a game with a 5 hour campaign takes up a lot of time... (note sarcasm)

  • shystie1

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 7:22 pm GMT

    Yeah...All we need more COD games. They could release one every 6 or so months...ha-ha

  • shaggydellic

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 6:51 pm GMT

    While I'm not a big fan of the series, it will suck for the millions who are fans if CoD gets milked like Guitar Hero or the Tony Hawk games. Activision has a bit of a bad track record- as profitability goes up, quality goes down.

  • zeniftan

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 6:25 pm GMT

    @ einarabelc5 : Are you STILL on this. Wow! I'd forgotten about this by now.
    I mean it took me a few seconds to even realize what you were talking about.

    Whatever though... No offense implied, but you obviously ain't interested in listening. So whatever we were talking about no matter whether this's true or not.
    You're correct.
    I just don't have the inclination enough to try and be the more "correct" person in this, it's too much effort for a simple post. Bye.

  • battlemen

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 6:11 pm GMT

    give them some time, they just finished mw2 and people already want more... give them a break

  • facistinabag

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 5:27 pm GMT

    @ InsertWittyID

    I can actually see that happening. I think theres been plenty of tension over the Cod series, especially the fact that, well, you know IW sort of created the entire series.

    However, I'd tottally be in for a Cod in the future, that way IW can spend extra time on MW games.

  • Omega189

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 4:41 pm GMT

    A third team? Considering the fact that they already have N-Space working on the DS games, doesn't that mean they need a FOURTH team to work on CoD?

  • daveg1

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 3:25 pm GMT

    theres nothing quite like milking the call of duty name is their...

  • InsertWittyID

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 2:38 pm GMT

    I have a weird theory. What if, since IW has a huge fanbase that's exclusively dedicate to them and the guys who work there seem to want to separate themselves from Activision and the rest of the CoD series, what if they actually convinced Activision to let them drop the CoD brand altogether and market their products as Modern Warfare games.

    It is entirely understandable that they do not want to be associated with a franchise that is becoming known for getting milked every year. Activision on the other hand, will see potential in having Infinity Ward doing their own thing every two or three years, while still releasing Call of Duty branded games every year. This could possibly be a new developer that will alternate years with Treyarch.

    I don't know. That's just a crazy theory that's probably not true.

  • Steffl3r

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 2:20 pm GMT

    @BatThink

    What I find exceptionally funny about that is that the just copied Modern Warfare and threw in Zombies =P It was a good game though =)

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 2:13 pm GMT

    @MAILER_DAEMON: Lol, yup. So far Avtivision has managed to not screw up COD, but will their greed drive them to destroy it?
    I can hear Kotick now, "Our games are are so good, people will buy a new version every 6 months!" Think madden is bad with yearly updates? I can see Kotick doing Bi-yearly updates. XD

  • VXLbeast

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 2:10 pm GMT

    If Kotick has anything to say, your next COD game will be pay to play.

  • iucidium

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:16 pm GMT

    I say it might be based around 'task force 141' and be squad based and a rip-off of rainbow six

  • squidanator7

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:15 pm GMT

    Come on guys, the psp really needs some good cod games. There is only one cod game on the psp which sucks.

  • Benny_a

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:13 pm GMT

    Call Of Duty: Future Warfare 1
    The year is 2109....

  • einarabelc5

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:10 pm GMT

    @ CaptainHerlock I didn't and I won't

  • einarabelc5

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:09 pm GMT

    @zeniftan

    Just look at your comment and apply what you just said to me to yourself. What do you think the outcome would be?
    I'm not taking it on you. I don't even know you. All the information I have is your comment and thus that's what I used to reply.
    Put your comment on the current context Activision is and how the Industry is shaping and you should realize is complete nonsense. Why do you have to trust Activision on the first place? They don't want you, they want your money.

  • aaronfhff123

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 12:01 pm GMT

    WAW is still better than MW2. The ONLY thing better about MW1 and 2 is the weapons. Now MW with some bullet wounds and gore and less focus on billion miles an hour gameplay??? IW would take the prize. Waw is sooo much more fun.

  • bschroth

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 11:52 am GMT

    if i had to guess i'd say that if the third team isn't doing new cod games they will handle all the port to the smaller sku's like wii, ds and psp.

  • blakeney

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 11:34 am GMT

    @ thwart
    Sqauds like Bf would be great, but they make the games so that 360, ps3 and pc players get simular experiences. As far as i know the max 360 can ever handle a side is 16? making the whole squad play thing almost pointless. If its sqauds you like just wait for battlefield3 on the pc, it is sure to be a huge title for years to come, like battlefield2 is now! alough its old now theres still LOADS of players playing it still, EVEN in the wake of MWF2, imo its down to the huge maps, huge player cap (64v64 ftw) and ofc the fact that it has playable tanks, helecoptor's ect....oh and jets!

  • melty3219

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 11:31 am GMT

    the PSP needs some cod love tbh

  • zackobeid

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 11:25 am GMT

    wow

  • VectrexFanBoy

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 11:11 am GMT

    they should have the third team devoted to handhelds cods.

  • CaptainHerlock

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:59 am GMT

    For all of you who were complaining about how greedy Kotick is and how Activision are ruining video games; how many of you bought Modern Warfare 2? I'm guessing A LOT of you.

    You reap what you sow.

  • BatThink

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:56 am GMT

    Isn't two studios enough, Treyarch has only recently made a good COD game in World At War.

  • kmconstable

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:55 am GMT

    What is the point of squads with so few players on multiplayer. They need to have more players allowed then squads would mean more.

  • MAILER_DAEMON Site moderator

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:47 am GMT

    This is ridiculous...

  • Kandros

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:45 am GMT

    I dont really mind having a lot of COD games from different companies.
    Only if IW stays with the Modern Warfare Franchise, i dont mind, every game was best than the last one, when it comes to single player, i prefered so much the Single player in World At War than Moder Warfare Campaign, the online was identical.
    If the games are basicly the same then i dont mind having multiple companies doing different games of the same franchise, if one comes out every year i will gladly pay for it

  • 0Aragorn0

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:44 am GMT

    Maybe it'll be a company to create more fulfilling single player story and play modes and let the other companies just focus on multiplayer.

  • jedikevin2

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:43 am GMT

    Call of Duty.... Madden Edition 2010, 2011, 2012, etc etc. Hopefully this doesn't start a bad problem like other companies. Rehash games and Call of duty games go stale and money stops rolling. We will se.

  • SUMMONO

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:40 am GMT

    Can't wait to say I can't wait for the next cod game again.

  • mistaicyfresh11

    Posted Nov 19, 2009 10:33 am GMT

    modern warfare 3 would have been to quick but im sick and tired if buying old games. i will spend my money if it is modern warfare 3 cause its just fun but now activision is in control with treyarch and now here comes the downside of the call of duty series

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