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This thread of the original old Raven titles like Singularity and Soldier of Fortune 2 makes players sad

You may know Raven Software from Call to duty (COD) franchise. The studio once thrived as a creator of distinct and highly acclaimed games such as Singularity, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, and Heretic-Hexen TrilogyThe studio has since become a support studio, focusing mainly on the annual Call to duty titles.

Many games and developers have come and gone in gaming history, but fans remember Raven. Many on social media and Reddit expressed sadness at the studio’s shift from original titles to a series of annual blockbusters.

How Raven Software Went From Making Cult Classics to Bespoke Games

Raven Software was founded in 1990 and quickly gained a reputation for its creativity. The studio was known for unique games that explored new concepts and pushed the boundaries of whatever genre they were working on at the time. Titles such as Hexen, HereticAND Jedi Knight 2: Jedi Outcast have become player favorites.

How the studio has switched to support CODmany of these beloved franchises fell behind, and fans have been mourning their loss ever since. A recent thread on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted that sentiment, with gamers reminiscing about the studio’s past accomplishments.

One user noticed how SingularityAlthough overshadowed by larger titles, it was a precursor to other successful games such as Titan Fall 2.

The acquisition of the studio by Activision in the late 1990s marked the beginning of a new era for the studio. The turning point was Call to duty concession.

Things like this are all too normal in the gaming industry

Frame from the game CoD: Black Ops 6
Big hits like Call to duty earn money to make change make sense. | Image Source: Treyarch

The move provided job security for studio employees, but it also meant that Raven’s days of developing original IP were over. The change was met with mixed feelings. On one hand, fans were happy that the studio was still in business. On the other hand, they mourned the loss of the creative spark that once defined the studio.

The video game industry is notoriously unstable, many studios are fighting for survival. For every team member who becomes part of the annual Call to duty production line meant stability in a highly competitive industry. The studio’s output may have diminished, but the alternative could have been much worse.

But while we understand the economic realities behind this change, the nostalgia for the days when the studio was a symbol of originality remains. Events like this are a stark reminder of the costs of corporate consolidation in the gaming industry.

While Raven Software plays a key role in the ongoing success Call to duty fans can’t help but wonder what would have been if the studio had continued developing its own franchises.

Do you remember these old games as fondly as other gamers? Is there anything you’d like to see more of from the studio? Let us know in the comments!