Glen Schofield calls the recent sales of EA and Activision a “bittersweet” turning point for the industry, saying the shift marks the end of an era that trained generations of developers while opening space for new leaders and studios.
Industry Reflection
Former Sledgehammer and Striking Distance founder Glen Schofield has publicly reflected on the emotional impact of major acquisitions that have reshaped the games industry, likening the sale of EA to the earlier Microsoft purchase of Activision. Schofield, who spent roughly a decade at each publisher during their peaks, described watching these companies step back from their roles as dominant publishers and training grounds as unexpectedly painful.
Memories of Two Cultures
Schofield contrasted the cultures he experienced at both firms: EA as a disciplined, structured environment where franchise reviews were rigorous and exacting, and Activision as a high‑energy, chaotic crucible of passionate creatives. He recalled that both environments pushed teams to excel—EA through meticulous process and Activision through loud, focused debate—creating fertile ground for talent development and career growth.
Bittersweet but Hopeful
Despite the melancholy tone, Schofield emphasized a constructive outlook: acquisitions create opportunities for new leaders, studios, and publishers to rise and carry the mantle forward. He urged successors to invest in talent and mentorship the way EA and Activision once did, noting that both companies remain in operation and deserve well wishes for their next chapters.
Career Context and Current Plans
Schofield’s reflections come amid reports that he has been reaching out to EA’s new owners about the possibility of returning to the Dead Space franchise, a series he helped launch as executive producer in 2008. After leaving Striking Distance in 2023 following the commercial disappointment of The Callisto Protocol, Schofield has publicly acknowledged the difficulty of securing funding for new projects and hinted that the industry’s current climate has been personally challenging.
What This Means for Developers and Players
The broader takeaway is twofold: consolidation changes where talent is trained and how franchises evolve, but it also accelerates industry renewal. As veteran publishers reorganize, smaller studios and fresh leadership teams have room to innovate, experiment, and rebuild the mentorship pipelines that once defined the sector. Schofield’s message is both a tribute and a call to action—recognize the legacy, then invest in the next generation of creators.
