Key Highlights:
- David Vonderhaar, an 18-year veteran of Call of Duty, announces departure from Activision.
- Known for his work on the Black Ops series, Vonderhaar is moving to an undisclosed project in the gaming industry.
- Treyarch praises Vonderhaar’s “discipline, creativity, and innovation,” expressing excitement for his next adventure.
David Vonderhaar, the studio design director at Treyarch, has announced his departure from Activision after an illustrious 18-year career, during which he shipped eight Call of Duty games, including the renowned Black Ops series.
Vonderhaar made the announcement on his personal LinkedIn account, expressing gratitude to his colleagues at Treyarch and the passionate Call of Duty community:
“Today I am sharing that I have left Activision and Treyarch after an incredible 18 years and 8 Call of Duty games. To my co-workers at Treyarch, I am immensely grateful for the time we invested working to improve our craft, never sitting on successes, and always wondering how to improve what we design and how we produce it.”
He also hinted at his next venture, stating:
“I am staying in the games industry, working on an undisclosed project I can’t discuss yet, but I am excited about a rare and unique opportunity. I’ll update you as soon as possible.”
Vonderhaar’s contributions to the Call of Duty franchise have been significant, including the creation of the popular Zombies mode and the Black Ops series. His innovative ideas and leadership have shaped the franchise’s success over the years.
Treyarch released a statement saying goodbye to Vonderhaar, praising his “discipline, creativity, and innovation” and expressing excitement for his next adventure:
“Farewell to the legendary David Vonderhaar, whose discipline, creativity & innovation helped shape our games from COD 2: Big Red One to Black Ops Cold War. His iconic phrases & groundbreaking ideas will be missed. Excited for your next adventure.”
Vonderhaar’s departure marks the end of an era for Call of Duty, but fans and colleagues alike are eager to see what he will bring to the gaming industry in his next role.
