“When you’re a massive brand with a massive budget, people want to work with you for the money,” Robert Bowling said in a recent exclusive interview with GamesBeat. While subtle, it’s a distinct reference to how business works at his previous employer and the world’s largest video game publisher, Activision.
Things are different now, though. Bowling made headlines in March when he abruptly left his position as creative strategist at Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward and, by extension, parent company Activision. Many in the industry thought the obvious destination for Bowling was Respawn Entertainment, the two-year-old independent studio staffed by several Modern Warfare alumni, including previous Infinity Ward heads Vince Zampella and Jason West. However, a month after leaving Activision, Bowling announced his own self-funded studio, Robotoki. It was a bold step, especially in this economic climate, but it was one he felt he had to make.
Recently, players of Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone were met with a new bundle featuring the B.E.A.S.T. Glove, inspired by King Kong's armament in the Godzilla x Kong movie. However, the $80 price tag attached to this themed accessory left many Call of Duty fans feeling underwhelmed.
Morons that allow themselves to be milked continuously by this company is the definition of irony.
Spend more $$ and you'll end up In easier lobbies so you win both ways when ya spend that cash
Controversy in the COD community feels like it happens within an alternate timeline. Activision will take the piss with something, there will be a momentary fuss about it, and then they will forget about it and carry on anyway. Repeat this cycle literally every year for the rest of time.
I'm so tired of hearing about what they're doing with this game, its never going to change and it's never going to value the consumer over money, furthermore the people who engage so heavily in the microtransactions I guess allegedly are having a blast and can't wait to do it some more this year when the new version of the game drops.
The famous comedy duo is the latest example of pop culture becoming one big grey blob
Certain to have some sort of reference to their online store for CBD/THC chews, which is advertising heavily online the last month or two.
The randomness of the multiplayer characters is one of reason I quit playing COD after briefly returning in 2022. We got Space Marines, rappers, tree monsters etc. all in a series called “ Modern Warfare”.
From Bootleg to Black Box, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 made a heartbreaking mistake by not remastering the bizarrely forgotten maps from its namesake.
Should be interesting to see what kind of games he makes without the funds to compete with triple-A shooters.
Hard to really call himself "indie" when he's got copious amounts of money to spend on whatever he's developing. When I think of "indie", I think of Amanita Design. A handful of people with limited means in the Czech Republic putting out fantastic adventure games. Not some multi-millionaire who got bored of CoD.
Creative strategist - Indie Developer?
I don't actually know what a creative strategist is....but I don't think it's at all related to programming. No?
Can someone explain to my why this man matters? I am serious. What exactly did he do at IW?