Infinity Ward and Neversoft to combine into one game developer

The studio that created Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater will soon be no more. According to an internal memo from Activision Publishing CEO Eric Hirshberg obtained by Giant Bomb, the 20-year-old studio is merging with Call of Duty developer Infinity Ward, and the Neversoft name is being retired. Neversoft was formed in July 1994 by Joel Jewett, Mick West and Chris Ward, three employees of Malibu Comics game division, Malibu Interactive.

Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero developer Neversoft will cease to exist as its own studio as it becomes a part of Call of Duty developer Infinity ward. The news comes via our sister site, Giant Bomb, which has obtained an internal memo by Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg. “As you know, Neversoft and Infinity Ward teamed up for the development of Call of Duty: Ghosts,” Hirshberg said. “And through that process, it became clear that the two studios have very complementary skill sets. Between these two excellent studios, it seemed like a single ‘super-studio’ could emerge.” Hirshberg goes on to thank Neversoft for its 20-year run and explain why Activision is dropping the name.