Since its formation in 2009, Sledgehammer Games has developed two games. It contributed to the development of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 in collaboration with Infinity Ward, and then it launched Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare in 2014, its first game as lead developer. This year, Sledgehammer is expected to release a game currently known as Call of Duty: WW2, and it will be the studio's biggest project to date.

Call of Duty: WW2 apparently required Sledgehammer to hire a slew of new employees to aid in the development of the title, as it recently expanded its studio. Beyond simply giving Sledgehammer more room, the building expansion project will also create a "more inviting and dynamic workplace" for its developers.

With a studio expansion underway and the team's biggest game to date well into development, it must be an exciting time at Sledgehammer Games. Besides those exciting developments at the studio, Sledgehammer is in a unique position to seize the mantel as the premiere developer for Call of Duty games, especially if the rumors about the 2017 Call of Duty game turn out to be true.

Rumor Patrol: Call of Duty is Heading Back to World War 2 - Call of Duty: WWII box art soldiers

It's been teased for months that Sledgehammer's Call of Duty game will mark a return to the franchise's roots, complete with a World War 2 setting. If rumors about the World War 2 setting are accurate, it likely means that 2017's Call of Duty will completely drop the franchise's recent trend toward science-fiction, meaning no wall running or boost jumps.

Fans have been vocal about their desire to see Call of Duty ditch these over-the-top features and return to its roots, as evident by the overwhelming dislike for the Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare reveal trailer. If Sledgehammer is able to deliver a game that truly feels like a classic Call of Duty experience and something fresh at the same time, then it stands a good chance at usurping the role as the franchise's most popular studio.

Of course, there's a chance that there's no truth to the rumors about Call of Duty: WW2 so far. Maybe the game is set in Vietnam instead of World War 2, maybe it's a modern warfare-style game, or maybe it's a direct sequel to Advanced Warfare. Luckily, concrete details on the game should come sooner rather than later, but in the meantime, fans can rest assured knowing that whatever form 2017's Call of Duty takes, it will be the biggest title from Sledgehammer to date.

Call of Duty: WW2 is rumored to be in development for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Source: Activision