Gearbox rejected chance to develop Call of Duty

Borderlands developer Gearbox turned down the chance to work on the Call of Duty series, the studio’s CEO Randy Pitchford has claimed.

Speaking to German website KGN, Pitchford said while there was no problem with publisher Activision, the studio wanted to work on projects that allowed for more creativity and would enhance its reputation.

He went on to say that the Call of Duty series had a certain set of rules and expectations it needed to abide by to please its fans, and that Gearbox wouldn’t be able to offer a unique perspective on the franchise.

Pitchford added that if the studio was to make a war shooter, it was more likely to return to its own IP with Brothers in Arms than take on Call of Duty.

“I couldn’t see what there was to aim for,” he said.

“There would be two scenarios in which a project makes sense for Gearbox. Firstly, if the game wouldn’t come into being without us. Secondly, if we can genuinely contribute something new to an existing brand, offer a unique perspective or a new approach.

“That was not the case with Call of Duty. The people who deliver Call of Duty have to make the game that fans want and adhere to the rules of the series, to do what is expected of Call of Duty. I don’t really see a challenge there for us. It wouldn’t enhance our reputation as a studio and it wouldn’t really motivate our team.

“This is a very individual opinion and not meant to sound condescending.”

The Call of Duty series is developed by a number of studios for Activision, including the likes of Sledgehammer Games, Infinity Ward and Treyarch as well as nStigate Games which worked the PS Vita version.