Getting recruits for IW is ”not a problem.” The studio is a culture, ”a way of doing things,” and they want it preserved. Expect great new franchises.
”It is still a huge recruiting drive. I’ve been a development guy for a long time, right? Recruiting at IW is not a problem. What we’re trying to do is say that IW is a culture, it’s a way of doing things, there’s a lot of people there and there’s still a lot of passion for doing it,” Activision’s EVP for studios, Dave Stohl tells VG247 in an interview.
”We’re trying to rebuild, trying to help them and support them to rebuild. So people are stepping up, new people are coming in and we’re setting the bar so high. And we’re making sure it fits with the culture of what IW actually is. So far so good.”
”You know, to me, rebuilding IW is about culture and talent, and we have the wherewithal to help them get there. I think there’s a real desire. There’s a real desire to do it. I think they’ll get there, and we’ve got a ton of hard-working super-talented people,” he said.
”I’m not taking anything away from what Infinity Ward was or is, but all I can do it focus on supporting them and setting the bar so high that they keep what they have and what they had, and that’s a focus on excellence and a culture that works the way it does.”
Will Infinity Ward still be all about Call of Duty in their future? ”We’re not saying right now. There is definitely a strong shooter philosophy there, for sure. And I think that there’s a short- and long-term view on the whole thing.”
”But I think we’re rebuilding a studio that can go off and build great new franchises in the future,” noted Stohl. A great win for Activision has been the signing up of Halo creator Bungie to publish under their name, so the last 6 months haven’t been total hell.
”I feel really good. I’m really excited about the partnership with Bungie. Obviously, I think that’s great, and it’s something that a lot of us worked on for a long time, and that’s exciting.” Let’s hope Bungie haven’t burnt out with Halo and still have some magic for us.
