Brian Raffel, the co-founder of Raven Software, has retired

Brian Raffel, the co-founder of Raven Software, the renowned developer behind Call of Duty, has announced his retirement after dedicating 36 years to the video game industry.

Raffel established the studio with his brother Steve back in 1990, in Wisconsin. He took on the role of vice president from its inception and advanced to the position of studio head by 1997. In 2024, he shared the co-studio head responsibilities with Dave Pellas.

When Raven Software was purchased by Activision in 1997, Raffel took up a vice presidency at the publisher.

Expressing his feelings on LinkedIn, Raffel wrote, "It's challenging to articulate what this adventure has meant to me. From the inception of Raven to it becoming the first studio acquired by Activision, I'm thankful for the people, the culture, and the games we created together."

In a heartfelt note, he added, "Special thanks to my brother Steve. Taking this journey alongside each other and joining Activision was one of the finest choices we've made. Thank you to everyone involved. It's been a remarkable journey."

Raven Software shared a tribute praising Raffel's leadership, describing how it has "steered our studio through a dynamic industry, transforming it into its current stature."

His contributions include work on notable games like Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, X-Men Legends, Wolfenstein, and more, each enhancing a legacy of remarkable gaming experiences. These foundational achievements secured Raven's esteemed position and contributed to shaping Call of Duty over time.

Raffel's dedication to creating games in Madison, Wisconsin fostered a thriving environment for game development in the city. Under his guidance, the doors of Raven remained open, welcoming the next generation of developers eager to explore the possibilities. As an alumni of the University of Wisconsin, his ties benefited students in art, design, and technology. Through it all, Brian has maintained his integrity, humility, and authenticity.

The statement concluded, "Brian, thank you for the stories, for the path you've paved, and for the lives you have touched. Your timeless impact is enduring, and we wish you success in your next endeavors."

In August of the previous year, Raven Software's employees secured their inaugural union contract with Microsoft after three years of discussions.

Autumn Prazuch, a QA tester with the studio and member of the bargaining committee, remarked, "We fought diligently for pay increases and job structures that would ensure QA is a viable career. Additionally, we negotiated to limit obligatory crunch time." Prazuch articulated, "Securing this contract marks a victory for gaming professionals worldwide ready to embark on a journey toward a brighter future."