It’s hard not to feel a pang of nostalgia—and maybe even a little sadness—when witnessing the transformation of industry giants like EA and Activision. These companies, once the undisputed titans of gaming, are stepping into uncharted territories, leaving behind the legacies that defined them. But here’s where it gets emotional: for someone like Glen Schofield, the founder of Sledgehammer and Striking Distance Studios, this shift is more than just corporate news—it’s personal.
Schofield, a veteran who spent a decade each at both EA and Activision, recently shared his reflections on LinkedIn, calling the recent changes a "bittersweet moment." He draws a parallel between EA’s sale to a group of investors (including Saudi Arabia’s investment fund and Donald Trump’s son-in-law) and Activision’s acquisition by Microsoft, noting how both companies are entering new eras. "In just a few years, the two publishing giants that shaped the last 20+ years of our industry have changed dramatically," he wrote. "Watching them step back from their roles as dominant publishers and powerhouse training grounds hits harder than I expected."
And this is the part most people miss: Schofield doesn’t just see these companies as corporate entities—he sees them as the forges where careers were made, including his own. At EA, he describes a culture of discipline and structure, where franchise reviews were intense and unforgiving. "You had to know every inch of your game," he recalled. "They’d challenge you, push you, test you. But when you walked out of that meeting, you knew exactly where you stood." It was a place where creativity met rigor, and legends were born.
Activision, on the other hand, was a "storm of A-type personalities—but in the best possible way." Review meetings were loud, passionate, and borderline chaotic, with sharp questions flying across the room. "A one-hour meeting becoming two and a half was normal," Schofield said, "and somehow, the time always felt well spent." These were companies that didn’t just make games—they shaped the industry and the people in it.
But here’s where it gets controversial: While Schofield acknowledges the bittersweet nature of these changes, he also sees a silver lining. "New leaders. New studios. New publishers. Someone will take that mantle," he wrote. "I hope they lead, teach, and invest in talent the way EA and Activision did." Yet, this raises a question: Can the next generation of companies truly fill the void left by these giants? Or will the industry lose something irreplaceable in the process?
Despite his reflective tone, Schofield isn’t sitting on the sidelines. Earlier this year, he revealed he’s already making calls to EA’s new owners, hoping to revive Dead Space 4—a project close to his heart. After all, he was the executive producer on the original Dead Space in 2008, though he wasn’t involved in its sequels. Later, he developed The Callisto Protocol at Striking Distance Studios, but left in 2023 after the game underperformed. His journey underscores the highs and lows of the gaming industry, which he recently called "tough" after struggling to secure funding for his latest project.
So, here’s the question for you: As EA and Activision move into new chapters, what does this mean for the future of gaming? Will the industry thrive under new leadership, or will we look back on this era as the end of something special? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you, EA and Activision, for shaping not just games, but the people who make them.
