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Report: Neversoft losing name, merging with Infinity Ward
Infinity Ward and Neversoft are merging, according to Giant Bomb. Citing an internal memo written by Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg, Giant Bomb reports that the Neversoft name will be retired, as the Infinity Ward name is so closely tied to Activision's annual Call of Duty franchise. This makes Infinity Ward, according to the supposed memo, the "sensible choice." Dave Stohl, executive VP of worldwide studios for Activision, will lead the new studio, while current head Steve Ackrich will take a new leadership role. Neversoft leaders Joel Jewett and Scott Pease, studio head and studio director respectively, have, according to Giant Bomb's report, made the decision to retire from the games industry. Neversoft previously collaborated with Infinity Ward for Call of Duty: Ghosts. [Image: Neversoft]
Neversoft exec confirms they've handed off Tony Hawk series
We've heard a number of rumors to this effect, but for the first time, Neversoft co-founder Joel Jewett recently confirmed in an interview with the Great Falls Tribune that the long-time developer of the Tony Hawk series has passed the torch to a new developer in order to solely focus on the Guitar Hero franchise. Jewett claims it's "probably best for the franchise." Based on the past couple of Hawk games, we can't help but agree.This leaves us with the question of who the next developer behind Hawk will be -- GiantBomb assumes that Robomodo, which is composed of ex-EA Chicago devs who claim to be working on a "high-profile extreme sports title for Activision Blizzard," will be making their developmental debut with the next installation in the once-great skating franchise. Now that the cat is out of the bag regarding Neversoft's Hawk-less agenda, we hope to hear something more concrete about the series sometime soon.
