Activision Is Publishing Black Ops: Declassified, But Not Consulting

With Nihilistic Software outed as the developer behind Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified, and Sony handling the game’s Vita bundle, many were starting to wonder exactly how Activision was involved with the project. A recent statement confirms that they are, but not in a huge way.

Treyarch’s communications manager, John Rafacz, told CVG that the Black Ops 2 developer has “not been involved” with consulting on the Vita title. An Activision representative later clarified the publisher’s exact relationship with Black Ops Declassified, saying:

“Activision is the publisher, but we also have a partnership with Sony to bundle Declassified with the PlayStation Vita.”

There has always been something strange about the way that Activision handled Black Ops Declassified. The Vita game was not announced alongside the Black Ops 2, and Activision has basically just sat back and let Sony do all the talking. On top of that, Nihilistic is developing the game. This is (at best) an odd choice for Activision’s flagship IP, considering how Resistance: Burning Skies turned out.

Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified may very well end up being the FPS that the Vita needs, but Activision seems to be putting as much distance between themselves and the game as possible.

To me, that doesn’t seem like a very positive sign.

Source: CVG