Raven Software co-founder Brian Raffel retires

Brian Raffel, co-founder of Call of Duty developer Raven Software, has retired after 36 years in the games industry.

Raffel and his brother Steve founded the Wisconsin-based studio in 1990. He served as vice president from the start and became studio head in 1997. In 2024, he became co-studio head with Dave Pellas.

Following Raven Software’s acquisition by Activision in 1997, Raffel was appointed vice president at the publisher.

“It’s hard to put into words what this journey has meant to me,” Raffel wrote on LinkedIn. “From those early days building Raven to becoming the first studio acquired by Activision, I’m grateful for the people, the culture, and the games we created together.

“Most of all, I want to thank my brother Steve. Taking this path together and choosing Activision was one of the best decisions of our lives. Thank you to everyone who was part of this ride. It’s been unforgettable.”

Raven Software also released a statement recognizing Raffel’s leadership, which has “guided our studio through a wild and shifting industry, shaping it into what it is today.”

“His work spans titles like Hexen, Star Wars Jedi Knight: Jedi Academy, X-Men Legends, Wolfenstein, and many more, each contributing to a legacy of iconic experiences. Those first decades of achievements earned Raven a place among the greats and the trust to shape and evolve Call of Duty over the years.”

“His commitment to building games out of Madison, Wisconsin, has grown his home city into a strong hub for game developers and studios. Under his wing, Raven’s doors have remained open to the next generation of developers, offering a firsthand glimpse into what is possible. As a proud alumnus, his connection to the University of Wisconsin has benefited students pursuing careers in art, design, and technology. Through it all, Brian has remained loyal, humble, and true to himself.

It concluded: “Brian, thank you for the stories, for the path you carved, and for the lives you’ve changed along the way. The impact you have had is timeless, and we wish you all the best in this next chapter.”

Last August, workers at Raven Software ratified their first union contract with Microsoft after three years of negotiations.

“We fought hard for raises and job structures that will finally make QA a sustainable career path, and we were able to negotiate limitations on mandatory crunch,” said Autumn Prazuch, QA tester at Raven Software and bargaining committee member.

“Ratifying this contract is a win for game workers everywhere who are ready to take the first step toward a better future.”