adminThe Glen Schofield retirement announcement marks the end of a 35-year career in video games. The veteran developer reflected on the creative growth of the industry and thanked the teams and companies he worked with, including the studios behind several well-known franchises.
Image credit: Glen Schofield
Glen Schofield retirement and his career highlights
In a video shared on LinkedIn, Schofield described the last few decades as an exceptional period for games. He said he had the opportunity to work alongside talented people during a time of significant creative activity, and expressed gratitude to those who contributed to his projects.
Schofield specifically thanked EA for supporting the creation of Dead Space. He also credited Activision with trusting him to lead work on three Call of Duty games. His remarks recognized the teams behind those projects as well as the organizations that gave him the opportunity to make them.
He also addressed the challenges facing the industry, noting that conditions are difficult for many people. Despite that, Schofield expressed confidence in the future and encouraged emerging game makers to build on the work of those who came before them.
Why Schofield decided to step away
In an interview with GamesBeat earlier this year, Schofield said he made the decision after finishing The Callisto Protocol. He described its development as the most difficult of his career, even compared with his work on Lord of the Rings.
During that demanding period, he continued to pursue creative interests outside game development, including painting, drawing and sculpting. He said the experience led him to question whether he wanted to continue with the day-to-day demands of leading a game project.
Schofield called his career fulfilling and suggested the industry is at a turning point. In his view, this is an opportunity for a new generation of developers to establish their own approaches and ideas. For people considering a career in games, his comments also highlight the importance of creativity alongside production schedules and budgets.
Studios and games associated with Schofield
Alongside Dead Space, three Call of Duty titles and The Callisto Protocol, Schofield directed games in the Gex and Legacy of Kain franchises while at Crystal Dynamics.
- He was vice president and general manager of Visceral Games, previously known as EA Redwood Shores.
- He co-founded Sledgehammer Games.
- He founded Striking Distance Studios and served as its CEO.
Schofield left Striking Distance Studios in 2023 to pursue new opportunities. Earlier this year, he also discussed possible responses to challenges affecting the AAA games sector. He argued that conversations about reducing development costs and team sizes should not overlook creativity, which remains central to making games.
What the Glen Schofield retirement means for the industry
Schofield’s departure closes a long chapter in game development, spanning leadership roles, studio creation and work on major franchises. His reflections point to both the creative possibilities of the medium and the pressure involved in producing large-scale games. The Glen Schofield retirement also leaves room for new developers to shape the next phase of the industry, as he encouraged them to do.
