Title: Director of Production
Company: Activision Publishing Inc.
Location: Hawthorne, California, United States
James Lodato IV, Director of Production at Activision Publishing Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the Video Game Industry.
Mr. Lodato has established a remarkable career in the video game industry, marked by more than two decades of progressive leadership and creative achievement at Activision Publishing Inc. His journey began in 2004 when he accepted a part-time position as a quality assurance tester after responding to a job posting while residing in Venice, California. The role was based in Santa Monica and marked the start of Mr. Lodato’s enduring association with Activision.
Since 2021, Mr. Lodato has held the position of director of production for “Call of Duty,” a military video game series and media franchise that began publication by Activision in 2003. In this capacity, he manages multiple teams of producers with an emphasis on career growth and people management. He oversees several projects simultaneously, analyzes market trends and competition to ensure narrative and gameplay competitiveness, and allocates studio resources across multiple games in development. Additionally, Mr. Lodato strategizes support for live service models post-launch while maintaining high standards across all titles under his purview.
In his initial year as a quality assurance tester, Mr. Lodato contributed to the rigorous testing processes that underpin successful game launches. By 2005, he advanced to the role of Treyarch quality assurance tester for “Ultimate Spider-Man,” where he further honed his technical skills and attention to detail. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Lodato became the Treyarch quality assurance lead on “Spider-Man 3,” overseeing testing teams and ensuring product quality for a major franchise release.
Mr. Lodato’s transition into production roles began in 2007 when he became a Treyarch associate producer for “007: Quantum of Solace.” He continued as an associate producer, licensing intellectual property from 2008 to 2010, which broadened his experience with various external properties and deepened his understanding of the complexities involved in adapting well-known brands into interactive entertainment.
Over the next few years, Mr. Lodato continually progressed, earning the roles of associate producer for “GoldenEye 007,” “Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3,” and “Call of Duty: Ghosts,” further solidifying his expertise within the franchise. In 2014, he advanced to producer for “Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.”
Between 2015 and 2017, Mr. Lodato served as the producer for “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered.” Tasked with bringing an iconic title up to modern standards, he approached the remaster as a passion project, striving to meet the high expectations of dedicated fans. Under Mr. Lodato’s stewardship, “Modern Warfare Remastered” was lauded for its quality and reception, transforming “Call of Duty” from a popular game into a cultural phenomenon.
From 2017 to 2019, Mr. Lodato continued as producer on “Call of Duty: Black Ops 4,” managing complex development cycles and ensuring the timely delivery of content-rich experiences. He was promoted to senior producer in 2019, reflecting his growing leadership within the organization. Mr. Lodato’s tenure as a senior producer extended through “Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War” between 2019 and 2021 and included work on “Call of Duty: Vanguard” in 2021. In these roles, Mr. Lodato oversaw large-scale production teams and contributed strategic insights that helped maintain the franchise’s status as a global best-seller.
Mr. Lodato’s academic foundation includes earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in audio engineering from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 2004. Although he did not pursue a career directly within the audio industry due to market shifts at that time, his education provided him with technical acumen and creative problem-solving skills that have been instrumental throughout his professional journey.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Lodato is committed to civic engagement and philanthropy. He is an active contributor to Goodwill Industries International. He also participates in volunteer initiatives through Activision Publishing Inc., including work with the Call of Duty Endowment, which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans find high-quality careers.
Mr. Lodato attributes much of his success at Activision Publishing, Inc., particularly within the “Call of Duty” franchise, to the dynamic nature of his work environment. The ever-evolving challenges keep him energized and engaged daily. Mr. Lodato also credits his strong sense of integrity as essential to navigating the demands and responsibilities inherent in leading high-performing teams within such a competitive industry.
Looking ahead, Mr. Lodato is focused on advancing within Activision Publishing Inc., aspiring toward greater leadership responsibilities while prioritizing team building and mentorship. He is dedicated to developing strong teams and imparting knowledge to emerging leaders within the company. As a people manager, Mr. Lodato emphasizes empathy-driven leadership and strives to foster healthy work environments that enable individuals to thrive amid industry demands.
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