Call of Duty Franchise Revitalized Raven software, CEO Says
MADISON, WI – November 8, 2025 – Raven Software, a video game developer based in Madison, Wisconsin, credits the Call of Duty franchise with rescuing the company from potential closure, according to CEO Brian Raffel.Speaking at a Cap Times Power Hour event at the Edgewater Hotel on November 7, 2025, Raffel detailed how integration into the Call of Duty ecosystem provided stability and growth after a period of uncertainty.
The turnaround is significant for the Madison tech sector, demonstrating the impact of major gaming partnerships on local development studios. Raven Software, founded in 1990, had previously worked on titles like Soldier of Fortune and X-Men: Legends before becoming a key support studio for the Call of Duty series. Raffel’s comments underscore the crucial role Activision Blizzard – now Microsoft Gaming – plays in sustaining Wisconsin’s game development landscape and highlight the broader industry trend of consolidation and collaboration.
Raffel explained that prior to becoming heavily involved with Call of Duty, Raven Software faced challenges maintaining consistent work and financial stability. “We were at a point where we were really questioning what the future held,” he said, as reported by the Wisconsin State Journal. “Call of Duty really saved us.”
The partnership began in earnest with Call of Duty: Black ops in 2010, where Raven Software assisted in development. Since then, the studio has taken on increasingly prominent roles, including leading development on portions of Call of Duty: Black Ops cold War (2020) and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III (2023).This consistent stream of work, coupled with the financial success of the Call of Duty franchise, allowed raven software to expand its team and invest in new technologies.
Raffel noted the studio now employs over 300 people in Madison, a substantial increase from its pre-Call of Duty numbers. He anticipates continued growth as Raven Software remains a vital component of the Call of Duty development cycle, currently working on future installments and supporting live service operations.
Guests mingle at Cap Times Power Hour at the Edgewater Hotel.
