Infinity Ward
Infinity Ward is a US video game developer and the original creator of the Call of Duty franchise. Founded in 2002 as a subsidiary of Activision Publishing (now Microsoft), it develops premium first-person shooters distributed across console and PC platforms.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersWoodland Hills, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Infinity Ward does
Infinity Ward is an American video game development studio founded in 2002 and headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. It is the original creator and lead developer of the Call of Duty franchise and currently operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision Publishing, which was acquired by Microsoft in 2023 and now sits within Microsoft Gaming. The studio employs 501–1,000 people across four locations — Woodland Hills (HQ), Warsaw, Mexico City, and the newly opened Austin, Texas office — and develops premium first-person shooters published under the Activision label.
Infinity Ward's core product is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, scheduled for full release on October 23, 2026, with campaign early access from October 16. The title ships natively on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 — the first major Call of Duty release on a Nintendo platform since 2013's Ghosts — and is structured around three modes: a narrative Korean War campaign set across New York, Paris, and Mumbai; a rebuilt 12-map multiplayer suite featuring the modular Kill Block map system (over 500 configurations), the Ballistic Authority weapon simulation, the Fluid Parkour movement overhaul, and the Microsoft Triton 3D audio system; and DMZ, a full 1.0 extraction-shooter mode set in the Hajin exclusion zone with persistent Forward Operating Base progression, stealth, dynamic AI, and a 3D Printer crafting system.
The studio monetizes through one-time game licenses (Standard Edition at $69.99 and Vault Edition at $99.99) across console and PC storefronts — PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam, Battle.net, and Nintendo eShop — alongside physical retail via Amazon and Best Buy, and recurring in-game microtransactions via Call of Duty Points. Game Pass integration is limited, with the title not arriving on Xbox Game Pass until October 2027. Co-development partners include Digital Legends (Switch 2 native build) and Beenox (PC optimization), supporting an internal studio that retains creative and engineering ownership of the flagship franchise.
Infinity Ward firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Infinity Ward
- Legal name
- Infinity Ward
- Website
- https://infinityward.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Infinity Ward is a US video game developer and the original creator of the Call of Duty franchise. Founded in 2002 as a subsidiary of Activision Publishing (now Microsoft), it develops premium first-person shooters distributed across console and PC platforms.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Infinity Ward industry classification
Industry- Product category
- First-Person Shooter Video Games
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (5132), Software Publishers (513210)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console) (MPAFAAAA)
Keywords
Where Infinity Ward is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Woodland Hills
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices5 records
Markets served
Infinity Ward business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales: One-time purchase of game editions (Standard at $69.99 and Vault Edition at $99.99) across multiple platforms including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2.
- Call of Duty Points/Microtransactions: Warzone and Modern Warfare 4 integrate content and progression, with Warzone shutting down on last-gen consoles and consolidating microtransaction ecosystem on current-gen platforms.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Digital Edition at $69.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Vault Edition at $99.99 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Loyalty discount for existing Call of Duty owners |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Infinity Ward product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Infinity Ward develops premium, narrative-driven first-person shooter video games, primarily for the Call of Duty franchise. The studio designs and builds campaign, multiplayer, and extraction shooter game modes, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and ships titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms under Activision publishing.
Product overview
Infinity Ward develops video games, primarily the Call of Duty franchise. Their flagship product is Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a first-person shooter featuring three core game modes: Campaign (Korean War storyline with missions spanning New York, Paris, and Mumbai), Multiplayer (12 maps with dynamic Kill Block system and Ballistic Authority weapon mechanics), and DMZ extraction shooter (narrative-driven PvPvE extraction gameplay with Forward Operating Base progression). The game is published by Activision and released across multiple gaming platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
- DMZ Extraction Shooter Mode
Companies that use Infinity Ward
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Infinity Ward technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Infinity Ward partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreUnder Microsoft's 10-year agreement with Nintendo following the Activision Blizzard acquisition, Microsoft is bringing Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms. Modern Warfare 4 is the first major release under this deal, with Digital Legends handling Switch 2 development.
- Digital LegendscoreDigital Legends, a Spanish developer, partnered with Infinity Ward for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Modern Warfare 4. The studio is building the Switch 2 version natively for the console.
- BeenoxcoreCanadian developer Beenox partnered with Infinity Ward for PC optimization of Modern Warfare 4, addressing longstanding performance issues with Call of Duty's PC ports.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Infinity Ward competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Bungie: Creator of Halo and Destiny; acquired by Sony in 2022. Comparable as a premium live-service FPS studio with comparable headcount and franchise economics under a major platform owner.
- Sledgehammer Games: Activision sister studio that co-develops Call of Duty and led Advanced Warfare / WWII / Vanguard. Shares the rotating COD flagship cycle with Infinity Ward and Treyarch.
- Treyarch: Activision sister studio that develops the Black Ops sub-series of Call of Duty. Most directly comparable peer — same franchise, same publisher, alternating flagship development cycles.
- 343 Industries: Microsoft in-house Halo developer and therefore a Microsoft Gaming peer. Compares on premium FPS console franchise stewardship, first-party Microsoft ownership, and live-service design.
- EA DICE: Developer of the Battlefield franchise — the premium military-FPS franchise that directly competes with Call of Duty for the same console/PC audience and seasonal engagement cycles.
- Respawn Entertainment: Founded in 2010 by ex-Infinity Ward leaders Vince Zampella and Jason West; produces Titanfall, Apex Legends, and Star Wars Jedi. Closely comparable AAA FPS studio with shared creative lineage.
- Raven Software: Activision-owned studio supporting Call of Duty: Warzone live service. Directly comparable on franchise, employer, and live-service FPS operations supporting Infinity Ward's flagship releases.
- id Software: DOOM and Quake developer; acquired by Microsoft via ZeniMax. Compares as a premium FPS specialist under Microsoft Gaming with a similar console/PC delivery model and franchise-driven release cadence.
Broad incumbents
- Ubisoft: Large publisher/operator with overlapping AAA FPS/shooter franchises (Rainbow Six, Far Cry, The Division) and comparable headcount and global studio footprint, though distributed across many non-FPS franchises.
Emerging players
- Embark Studios: Independent AAA FPS studio founded by ex-Battlefield leadership. Comparable as an emerging premium-FPS competitor targeting the same extraction/shooter-adjacent gameplay space that DMZ 1.0 is entering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Infinity Ward social profiles
Digital presenceInfinity Ward financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Infinity Ward leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Infinity Ward funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Infinity Ward M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Infinity Ward
What does Infinity Ward do?
Infinity Ward develops premium, narrative-driven first-person shooter video games, primarily for the Call of Duty franchise. The studio designs and builds campaign, multiplayer, and extraction shooter game modes, including Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and ships titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms under Activision publishing.
Is Infinity Ward a public or private company?
Infinity Ward is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Infinity Ward founded?
Infinity Ward was founded in 2002. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Infinity Ward based?
Infinity Ward is headquartered in Woodland Hills, United States, in the North America region.
How does Infinity Ward make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales are the primary driver. The others are call of Duty Points/Microtransactions.
Who are Infinity Ward's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Bungie, Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, 343 Industries, EA DICE, Respawn Entertainment, Raven Software and id Software. Ubisoft is listed as a broad incumbent. Embark Studios is listed as an emerging player.
Does Infinity Ward have an API?
No public API is recorded for Infinity Ward.
What industry is Infinity Ward in?
Infinity Ward's product category is First-Person Shooter Video Games. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAA, AAA & Premium Game Studios (PC/Console). Its NAICS code is 5132 and its SIC code is 7990.