Call Of Duty: Vanguard Has Seemingly Cut Ties With Activision
In the wake of the Activision Blizzard lawsuit that has exposed the company for its alleged ‘frat boy culture’ and sexual harassment, it’s of no surprise that previous fans of its works are distancing themselves from the company.
Activision Blizzard has been seen in a new light, and now as accusations of shredded evidence and employee NDAs are seeping into the world, fewer and fewer are as willing to associate with them. It seems the teams behind Call of Duty are much less to associate with the company too.
The Vanguard Alpha Start-Up Screen Removes Activision’s Logo
It looks like, at least for the time being, the teams behind Vanguard are reluctant to brand their game with Activision’s name, as it has been discovered that the Alpha test’s startup menu doesn’t include the company’s logo - despite its hand in the game’s development.
Many have also noticed that their logo doesn’t appear in the game’s reveal trailer either, which could be in a bid to keep away from the negative association it brings about in the wake of the lawsuit.
Why Was Activision’s Logo Kept From Vanguard’s Trailer?
One might assume that Sledgehammer would be forthcoming about the exclusion of Activision’s name from the trailer after their studio head spoke up about the lawsuit, but it was announced that this move was made for "creative reasons".
"Call of Duty has continued to expand into an incredible universe of experiences", said a company spokesperson. “This was a creative choice that reflects how Vanguard represents the next major instalment in the franchise."
Activision’s actions have clearly left a negative stamp on the company’s name, and it’s something that the developers operating under its wing are clearly aware of. Who knows if this "creative reason" will last until the game’s launch, but only time will tell.