Mark Gordon, studio head at Xbox-owned Call of Duty developer Treyarch, is retiring after 22 years with the company. Gordon plans to "focus on his next chapter" in his career.
Gordon's tenure at Treyarch began in 2005, with his early work contributing to Call of Duty 2: Big Red One, the studio's first entry in the franchise. He played a significant role in the development of World at War and was instrumental in the creation of the Black Ops series. Gordon assumed the role of studio head in November 2016. He initially shared leadership duties with Dan Bunting and Jason Blundell. Blundell departed Treyarch in 2020, followed by Bunting in November 2021.
Treyarch expressed gratitude for Gordon's leadership, stating his "impact on the [Call of Duty] franchise has been immeasurable." The studio also noted his "steady guidance and deep care for the studio, its culture, and its people."
Following Gordon's retirement, Treyarch veterans Kevin Hendrickson and Yale Miller will assume leadership as co-studio heads. Both Hendrickson and Miller possess extensive experience in game development and leadership, bringing with them a deep understanding of the franchise and a shared dedication to Treyarch's creative vision.
Gordon's departure occurs during a period of significant leadership changes within Xbox. This week has also seen the departures of Craig Duncan, former head of Xbox Game Studios, and Louise O'Connor, formerly chief of staff. These shifts are reportedly part of a broader restructuring at Xbox, which may include studio closures.