Activision Reportedly Using Multiple Teams to Develop Modern Warfare 3

Amid the intensifying legal drama surrounding the Call of Duty series, it seems that Activision is using multiple teams to stick to its yearly release schedule. The L.A. Times reports that with the creative leads and several key staff members gone, Infinity Ward needs a few pinch-hitters.

[Images shown from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.]

Sources say that Activision is having Sledgehammer Games assist with the making of Modern Warfare 3. The title is reportedly set to come out this November, even though it hasn't been officially announced yet. Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer are splitting duties on the single-player campaign. Meanwhile, Activision has also pulled in Raven Software to work on the online multiplayer component.

The newly formed Sledgehammer was working on a Call of Duty spin-off, but starting production on that project is on hold while the team aids completion of MW3.

Completing the game on time is a top priority for Activision, which has used the annualized Call of Duty series as one of its most reliable sources of revenue. In 2010, Call of Duty: Black Ops sold 12 million units.

It's unclear what Activision's plans for the franchise might be after this year's installment. We had thought that Sledgehammer's spin-off could be on the schedule for 2012, but if the production hasn't started yet the studio would have to scramble to finish in time.