A portion of an IndustryGamers interview with Sledgehammer's Michael Condrey and Glen Schofield...

IG: You've helped to complete what could be the biggest game of 2011 in MW3. This is Activision's tentpole franchise - did the pressure ever get to you?

MC: I'd be dishonest if I said I didn’t feel the pressure. Glen and I put everything on the line to start Sledgehammer Games. We left great roles behind to pursue our vision of a better development model, and there was no going back. Then, to be working on MW3, with 30M+ fans demanding nothing less than an amazing sequel to MW2 ... yeah, we knew it was going to take everything we had to give. We also knew that it was an opportunity of a lifetime. It’s like that saying - the hardest steel is forged in the hottest fire. We, as a studio, do our best work when there is a healthy balance of passion and pressure. It keeps us on our toes, pushes us to work hard and smart, and ensures we never take quality for granted. It's been quite a two-year journey and it certainly took a herculean team effort. I could not be more proud of how everyone on the Sledgehammer Games development team stepped up to the challenge.

GS: There has been a lot of pressure, but most of it we put on ourselves. We realize there are millions of fans out there that are counting on us to deliver something that can be held up to Modern Warfare 2. There are so many people looking forward to playing Modern Warfare 3 that I'd be kidding you if I didn't say we feel some pressure. But at Sledgehammer Games we love a challenge and live for the pressure. It makes us perform at our very best. We don't get caught up in the hype because we have to make the game. This is especially true if you look at how large of a team, meaning multiple studios, contributed to Modern Warfare 3. I'm proud of our co-development efforts as we proved it could work, and I’m especially proud of our Sledgehammer Games team and how everyone performed at their highest levels – individually and collaboratively. I think those that can handle the pressure, and love what they do, always do their greatest work.

IG: We read that beyond MW3, you're still interested in working on more CoD. Wouldn't you like to create new IP, or is that something Activision is reluctant to green light for you?

GS: We'd like to do both or either :) Truthfully, how could you go wrong with making either another CoD game or a new IP? Both will push you as a developer and both are fun to create and develop. Activision is definitely open to new ideas. Just take a look at the Action/Adventure game we were initially working on that - Sledgehammer canceled it for the opportunity to work on MW3. Activision gave us the choice and we made the right one. After MW3 launches, we will all need some time to recharge the batteries and come back refreshed and ready to give 110%. But I know Activision wants us to work on what we’re passionate about, that's why they asked us to work on MW3, not forced us. I know the same will be true for our next game. And knowing that gives me a great peace of mind.