As you may have or may have not heard, Activision is instituting an STFU to the team and leaders at Infinity Ward. Most of this information originally came from G4 and a source from inside IW, though Kotaku put it together the best.

Copyright Kotaku, 2010.

"While most of you slept, drama struck Infinity Ward, the creators of the Call of Duty series, with allegations of "insubordination" from publishers Activision and the rumoured departure of the studio's two top men. This post will be updated throughout the day.

The news first hit yesterday afternoon, when G4 reported that IW heads Vince Zampella and Jason West had met with Activision, after which neither were seen from again by staffers and "a bunch of bouncer-types" showed up outside Infinity Ward's offices.

The situation between the developer and publisher had been described as "tense" for some time.

Things got interesting a few hours later, when updates to Jason West's Linkedin page revealed that he had ceased employment at the developer.

And then got really interesting when an SEC filing from earlier in the day revealed that Activision had launched an investigation into some allegedly iffy conduct at Infinity Ward, including "insubordination" and "breaches of contract" that affected "two senior employees" at the studio.

That's everything we've heard, so far. Fascinating stuff for the innocent bystander. But what do we actually know?

What's Been Rumoured

- That IW bosses Vince Zampella and Jason West have been fired. Neither the pair nor Activision have issued statements regarding the issue, so the nature of their employment (or departure) is yet to be confirmed; remember, the Activision SEC filing only mentions "two senior employees", it doesn't name names. Indeed, we haven't heard anything from Zampella regarding the situation.

- That Activision sent security guards to the Infinity Ward offices. Who those men are, who sent them and more importantly, what they were doing there have yet to be determined. All we have are reports that they were "bouncer-types", nothing more.

What We Know

- The Activision SEC filing is legit, and is concrete information. They are serious allegations, and will probably result in a major lawsuit.

- Jason West no longer works at Infinity Ward. His Linkedin profile page is legitimate, and clearly states that he ceased employment at the studio in March 2010. We just don't know why/how he no longer works there.

That's it. Be sure to separate the two when considering the situation, as things are still incredibly murky. We will of course update you (and this post) throughout the day as we hear more on the situation.

Update 4: It's all over but the shouting, it seems. Activision just laid out their plans for the Call of Duty series, which includes a business unit and a new studio.

Update 3: We take a look at the tension between Activision and Infinity Ward that may have lead to today's turmoil. Hint: It involves the direction of Call of Duty.

Update 2: G4 reports about 1 p.m. MT that Bobby Kotick is scheduled to meet with Infinity Ward "momentarily". Officially, Activision still hasn't responded to multiple requests for comment.

Update 1: CEO and studio head Vince Zampella's Linked In account updated about 9 a.m. Mountain time this morning. The profile now shows his job at Infinity Ward as previous employment. Under experience Zampella lists his job ending at Infinity Ward this month, after 8 years and three months with the company. His current job and title are listed as TBD [edit: now shown as no longer a member of IW]"

Also, the new business plan they were talking about:

Copyright Kotaku, 2010

"Publisher Activision announced today new "strategic plans" for the Call of Duty franchise, announcing a new developer for the shooter franchise and confirming the departure of key Infinity Ward staffers.

Activision announced it will form a "dedicated [Call of Duty] business unit that will bring together its various new brand initiatives with focused, dedicated resources around the world." It plans to expand the Call of Duty brand "with the same focus seen in its Blizzard Entertainment business unit" placing a focus on "high-margin digital online content and further the brand as the leading action entertainment franchise in new geographies, new genres and with new digital business models."

As previously announced, Activision will release a new Call of Duty game from series co-developer Treyarch, responsible for Call of Duty 3 and Call of Duty: World At War, this fall. Developer Infinity Ward is still scheduled to release two downloadable map packs for Modern Warfare 2 this year.

In 2011, Activision will release another new game in the Call of Duty series from an unspecified developer. It also announced plans for another Call of Duty-based title from developer Sledgehammer Games, the recently formed studio lead by Dead Space creative leads Glen Schofield and Michael Condrey. The Sledgehammer-helmed title will "extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre."

The previously mentioned Call of Duty business unit will be led by Philip Earl, who currently runs Activision Publishing's Asia Pacific region. Activision Publishing's Steve Pearce, chief technology officer, and Steve Ackrich, head of production, will lead Infinity Ward on an interim basis. Former studios heads Jason West and Vince Zampella are no longer with Infinity Ward, officially.

"Activision doesn't comment on HR matters related to its studios," said reps when asked for comment about the departures and allegations of insubordination. The two former Infinity Ward heads are said to have butted heads with their publisher creatively over the direction of the Call of Duty franchise.

Activision Publishing also announced that the company is "in discussions with a select number of partners to bring the franchise to Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for online multiplayer games in the world.""




Two words: HOLY S*#$!

yay for activision screwing up everything like most other producers

I'm trying to think of the last MMOFPS that I saw out there.  Probably PlanetSide, which never really took off. 

(Too bad too, had a cool concept.)

Of course they'll say something like this:

source: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702980/activision-responds-to-west-zampellas-lawsuit-company-disappointed-.html

///

Activision has now issued their first public statement about the lawsuit filed yesterday by the former heads of Infinity Ward, CTO Jason West and president Vince Zampella. The statement is below:

"Activision is disappointed that Mr. Zampella and Mr. West have chosen to file a lawsuit, and believes their claims are meritless," said an Activision spokesperson. "Over eight years, Activision shareholders provided these executives with the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth."

"In return," the statement continues, "Activision legitimately expected them to honor their obligations to Activision, just like any other executive who holds a position of trust in the company. While the company showed enormous patience, it firmly believes that its decision was justified based on their course of conduct and actions." Activision remains committed to the Call of Duty franchise, which it owns, and will continue to produce exciting and innovative games for its millions of fans."



I hate them, alot.

Wow. I Don't even know where to begin to say how horribly wrong that comes across. Fairly sure if I ever worked at a place that decided to keep me in a room for six hours I would be gone.

I would be gone too.


I wouldn't be surprised if Activision did that.

An the lord said, " The truth shall set you free."

im putting my money on theres more to this story than both sides are telling. and more likely than not its gunna be about backroom deals

either way, there wont be many fun CoD games in the future i think.

Any updates on this? I haven't heard anything about it lately...

Could this be a possible inlet for Halo to take back some of its previously lost popularity?