Activision: We wonâ??t tamper Infinity Ward revival

Activision’s Worldwide Studios boss is “100 per cent confident” that Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward will “rise from the ashes” – but warns that the publisher must be careful in looking to rebuild the shaken outfit.

Dave Stohl told Develop that the company is “supporting Infinity Ward in that rebuilding process, [but] I use the term ‘support’ because as much as possible we don’t want to tamper with that group of people.”

He explained that simply throwing new staff at the studio would be dangerous for its culture and identity – something which has been thrown into disarray over the last five months.

“We want Infinity Ward to be Infinity Ward,” said Stohl. “It’s a very specific culture”.

Activision has reportedly received over 5,000 job applications for Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer, but Stohl said that some lead vacancies are being filled through internal promotion.

Said Stohl: “Recruiting for Infinity Ward – I mean we have had … well, let’s just say recruiting is not a problem!

“There’s a tonne of talented people at the studio, and yes some on the inside are stepping up their game internally and becoming more senior.”

Since March, around a third of Infinity Ward staff walked out of the studio, following the dismissal of – and subsequent legal row with – two of the group’s most senior staff.

“I’m not going to sit here and say no good talent left the studio, because obviously a lot of good talent did,” Stohl said.

“But a lot of people who are really passionate about their job are still there.

“I’m one hundred per cent confident that the studio will come back to what it was, especially considering all the talent we’re seeing rising through and also being recruited.

“There’s a development philosophy that remains intact, and the studio is attracting amazing new talent. Ultimately, Infinity Ward will rise from the ashes.”