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Former Treyarch level designer Gavin Goslin has publicly criticized Microsoft and Activision for profiting from recent PlayStation re-releases of Black Ops 1 and 2. Goslin, who contributed to the original development of these titles, described the situation as bittersweet, noting that while the games remain popular, the original creators receive no financial compensation from these digital sales.
The re-releases, which launched as $40 digital products without new features, achieved significant commercial success. Estimates from Alinea Analytics suggest the two titles sold 11.2 million combined copies in July, generating approximately $435 million. Both games quickly reached the Circana U.S. Top 10 for weekly active users, demonstrating strong player demand for legacy experiences.
Goslin argues that the industry should implement a royalty system for developers, similar to those found in film, music, and literature. He contends that if executives receive bonuses based on the longevity of these titles, the revenue should be shared retroactively with the staff who endured intense crunch periods to build the original code.
Despite the developer's call for change, there is no indication that Xbox plans to introduce a royalty structure. However, Activision intends to leverage the success of these ports for future projects. Chief marketing officer Tyler Bahl confirmed that the company is applying lessons from the Black Ops releases to upcoming titles, including the October 23 launch of Modern Warfare 4.
