Former CoD Developer Expresses Frustration Over Profits from Black Ops Remasters: “It’s Tough Seeing Executives Cash In on Our Legacy”

Earlier this year, the iconic titles Black Ops and Black Ops 2 made their way back to the PlayStation 5. These straightforward ports quickly climbed the ranks to become some of the most played games of 2026, likely raking in significant profits for the company behind them. One developer who contributed to these games, and who claims to have endured intense crunch to bring them to life, describes the situation as “bittersweet.”

In July, the original Black Ops and its 2012 sequel were released for both PS4 and PS5, with a price tag of $40 each, but without any of the paid DLC. While this might seem like a raw deal on paper, it didn’t deter many players yearning for the fast-paced, simpler gameplay of earlier Call of Duty titles from opening their wallets. Consequently, the Black Ops ports surged to become two of the most played games of the year, likely positioning them as top sellers in 2026. Gavin Goslin, a former level designer and artist at Treyarch who spent 15 years with the studio, has been observing this phenomenon and shared his insights on LinkedIn.

“The recent digital releases of Black Ops 1 and Black Ops 2 on PlayStation highlight a couple of key points,” Goslin noted.

“First, the current gaming scene is craving the tight, high-quality experiences we used to enjoy. Second, these classic titles continue to be lucrative for both the company and its partners. Even as basic $40 digital re-releases with no new features, both games quickly entered the US Top 10 for weekly active users. They’re generating revenue from work completed over a decade ago.”

For Goslin, who played a role in developing both games, it’s a “bittersweet” experience to see them performing so well in 2026.

“I dedicated my life to those games, putting in countless grueling hours alongside an incredibly talented team to ensure they were flawless,” he reflected.

“Witnessing our hard work still dominating the charts in 2026 is incredible, but it’s disheartening to see executives profiting immensely from our old code while the creators receive nothing.”

Goslin emphasizes that game executives reap “massive bonuses” from the success of remastered and re-released classics, yet the developers who actually built those games don’t see a cent. This is largely due to the absence of a residuals system in the gaming industry. Unlike Hollywood, where creators can expect ongoing compensation for their work, game developers who invested years into a title can’t anticipate receiving checks as sales continue or have funds allocated to support them through union-managed accounts.

“That wealth needs to be shared retroactively,” Goslin asserted. “Legacy revenue should translate into legacy rewards for the developers who endured the crunch to create these games.”