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- Raven Software has done a fantastic job with Black Ops 6’s campaign.
- The developer was once responsible for many gems like Heretic and X-Men Origins Wolverine.
- Raven Software deserves to return to the frontlines again, not remain a Call of Duty support studio.
While video gaming has a light side of consistent evolution, there also exists the dark side featuring studio closures and mass layoffs. Many developers once responsible for legendary gems are either defunct now or reduced to a shell of their former selves. Evolution comes at a great cost it seems.
Today, I’d like to tell you the tale of Raven Software, the titan responsible for nothing but hits, now reduced to a mere support studio by none other than Activision. Does this legend deserve a comeback now? I’ll let you decide.
Why it matters: With the recent Black Ops 6 campaign and all its past works, Raven Software has more than proven its worth; Activision needs to end its imprisonment.
Black Ops 6 Shows Raven Software’s Still Got It
Before discussing Raven Software’s history, let’s see its current state and the reason why I felt the need for this discussion. As I’ve stated earlier, Raven Software is now a Call of Duty support studio.
Coming to the latest CoD, I’m sure you’ve heard by now just how impressive the campaign is in Black Ops 6. After the last few Modern Warfare entries, I had essentially given up on this series. Call of Duty was once unrivaled and a dear part of my childhood. Now, it’s just a microtransaction-infested soulless mess with repetitive design choices.
This changed with Black Ops 6. Though multi-player still has many flaws, the newest Call of Duty features a killer campaign, one reminiscent of the series’ glory days. This is a much-needed change of pace, one every CoD fan will enjoy.
There’s a reason why this campaign is so good. Raven Software was responsible for this feat. Yes, the legend was the production lead on Black Ops 6’s campaign, and this remarkable work shows that it still hasn’t lost its touch.
The Legendary Works Of Raven Software
This is just the most recent example of how impressive Raven Software is; history is filled with them. For starters, I’m sure you remember the iconic Heretic/Hexen series. This magic-fueled, Doom-esque dark-fantasy FPS is one of gaming’s most legendary entries, and Raven Software in its full glory.
Despite the Doom inspirations, Heretic and Hexen introduced enough novelty and ingenuity to the gameplay loop to be considered a timeless classic. In fact, I’ve been asking for this series’ revival for a long time now.
When the first example is this impactful, what does that tell you? Let me keep this momentum going. Star Wars: Jedi Knight series, Wolfenstein, X-Men Legends 2, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and most importantly, X-Men Origins Wolverine. These are some of the gems Raven Software crafted.
Look at this list and tell me one flawed product you find. Nothing but greatness, right? Why Activision couldn’t see this still baffles me.
A Mere Support Studio Now
All of these masterpieces still couldn’t save Raven Software from its inevitable humiliation. The moment it was acquired by Activision, its fate was set in stone. Raven Software isn’t the only studio Activision has wronged.
Sierra Entertainment, Red Octane, Bizarre Creations, Radical Entertainment, the list goes on. This is a company that abandoned Prototype of all things. Activision has committed many crimes, and locking up Raven Software is but one of them.
Despite the studio being more than capable, Activision felt its talents were better suited to a “second-fiddle” role. Raven Software was reduced to a Call of Duty support studio. Its duties included supporting Treyarch in various domains.
It makes me really sad that Raven Software, a company I knew for so long as a source for unique but usually very high quality games, is now relegated to assisting with Call of Duty development.
byu/Joyrock inGames
Activision Needs To Better Utilize Raven Software
I think all of Raven Software’s past works and now the universal praise Black Ops 6’s campaign received is enough evidence. Activision may not have realized the developer’s value back then, but it’s still not too late.
Now that Activision is under new management and Microsoft needs some strong games to spice up its lineup, I firmly believe Raven Software can be an undeniable asset for this cause. A new Heretic is long overdue, fans are dying to see it happen. Hell, even a new IP from Raven Software can do wonders.
All I ask Activision and Microsoft is to give Raven another chance. Its talents are being wasted as a support-only studio. Yes, it can keep working on Call of Duty, but letting it create quality games once again is a win-win for everyone.
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Shameer Sarfaraz has previously worked for eXputer as a Senior News Writer for several years. Now with Tech4Gamers, he loves to devoutly keep up with the latest gaming and entertainment industries. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science and years of experience reporting on games. Besides his passion for breaking news stories, Shahmeer loves spending his leisure time farming away in Stardew Valley. VGC, IGN, GameSpot, Game Rant, TheGamer, GamingBolt, The Verge, NME, Metro, Dot Esports, GameByte, Kotaku Australia, PC Gamer, and more have cited his articles.
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