Sledgehammer Games

Sledgehammer Games is an AAA video game developer focused on large-scale, cross-platform interactive entertainment. Founded in 2009 with Activision’s backing, the studio became a key developer within the Call of Duty franchise after co-developing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 alongside Infinity Ward.

Its work spans full-cycle game development, co-development, game design and programming, technical animation, character and environment art, cinematic direction, real-time audio, multiplayer systems, and live operations. The studio’s specialties include first-person-shooter design, narrative campaigns, multiplayer balancing, game-engine engineering, and technical sound design.

Call of Duty development

Sledgehammer led development of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, introducing the series’ exo-movement mechanics, followed by Call of Duty: WWII, which returned the franchise to a historical setting. It later led Call of Duty: Vanguard and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, while also contributing to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and ongoing Call of Duty: Warzone content and live-service support.

International studio model

The company grew from its original California base into an international development organization, adding teams in Melbourne in 2019 and Toronto and Guildford in 2021. This distributed model supports development across time zones and disciplines for major console and PC game productions.

Following broader Activision Blizzard restructuring after Microsoft’s acquisition, Sledgehammer closed its former Foster City premises in 2024 and established its current California studio presence in San Mateo. The studio remains active as part of Activision Publishing and Microsoft Gaming, continuing work on Call of Duty projects and cross-platform adaptations.