G4's The Feed, which has been in communication with a source at Infinity Ward, reports that organizational changes may be in effect at the FPS developer's offices. The source claims that a "bunch of 'bouncer-types' just showed up outside of the Infinity Ward offices unannounced. When approached by employees, the non-uniformed 'bouncers' were unwilling to disclose why they were there." In addition, The Feed notes that Infinity Ward's studio heads, Vince Zampella and Jason West, were not seen by fellow staff members after a meeting with Activision on Monday morning. A desk guard at Infinity Ward's offices was unable to confirm any of the events to Joystiq, and calls to community manager Robert Bowling went unanswered at the time of writing.
Apparently, on Monday Activision filed a Form 10-K with the SEC, which is basically an overview of the company's financial condition, and includes any information that could possibly affect that condition. This filing states, "In November 2009, the Company released Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, a game developed by one of the Company's wholly-owned studios, Infinity Ward. As noted above, Modern Warfare 2 was the best selling console title in the U.S. and Europe in 2009. Consistent with past practice, the Company intends to release a Call of Duty game in 2010 developed by another wholly-owned studio. The Company is concluding an internal human resources inquiry into breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward. This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation. At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company."
Co-studio head Jason West has reportedly changed both his Facebook status and LinkedIn page to indicate that he is no longer employed. As soon as we get more news, we'll pass it along.
Update: Activision has confirmed the departures of Vince Zampella and Jason West. Read here for more details.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Reader Comments (181)
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 3:42AM Reaver Zero said
That's shitty beyond words. God, Activision sucks.
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 4:22AM Reaver Zero said
You both are right, I'm going to return to my normal level of hate for Activision until we get more info.
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 5:04AM Ballistic H said
Activision also "basically" closed RedOctane, the creators of Guitar Hero.
Activision = douchebag.
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Activision = douchebag.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 6:37AM EGOvoruhk said
@Ballistic H
I wouldn't exactly call RedOctane the creators of Guitar Hero. Harmonix developed the game, and RedOctane published. I'm sure they were involved somewhat, but looking at Harmonix's game history (Amplitude and Frequency), it's easy to see where the talent came from
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I wouldn't exactly call RedOctane the creators of Guitar Hero. Harmonix developed the game, and RedOctane published. I'm sure they were involved somewhat, but looking at Harmonix's game history (Amplitude and Frequency), it's easy to see where the talent came from
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 10:19AM Crimsic said
Maybe Kotick lost all of Activision's money to pay off his debt to satan or something and they need to cut costs.
In all seriousness, I hope the best for them, (IW staff) seeing as they're very talented...even if MW2 was an extreme disappointment to me.
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In all seriousness, I hope the best for them, (IW staff) seeing as they're very talented...even if MW2 was an extreme disappointment to me.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 11:53AM aristokrat said
So it seems like Kotick lost them (and probably the whole studio, after this particular display of heavy-handedness) out of greed, and is going to cost Activision a lot more than he could have made it. Wonder if the investors will finally realize that the only thing he's doing is stifling creativity and running their brand into the ground?
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 1:38PM RudyHuxtable said
I'm pretty sure people typically get fired for bad job performance. I would have called Call of Duty Modern Warfare a success. WTF?
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 10:26AM AkumaFTW said
IW studio heads will no longer be of any concern to us. I have just received word that the Emperor has dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.
How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?
The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line.
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How will the Emperor maintain control without the bureaucracy?
The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. Fear will keep the local systems in line.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 3:45AM ThePhantomnaut said
Looked at Jason West's Facebook updates... Shitstorm indeed.
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 4:27AM Bluebreaker said
Very real and very raw.
The minute this stopped being thought of as a PR stunt is when this just went out of control!
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The minute this stopped being thought of as a PR stunt is when this just went out of control!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 6:48AM BananaBoat said
Activision: So....we're totally changing Treyarchs next games name to "Modern Warfare 3"
Jason West: Nuh uh....
Activision: Yes huh...
Jason West: .....FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Activision: You fired fo insubordination yo, git out.
Jason West: Wutttttttttttttttttttttttt
Reply
Jason West: Nuh uh....
Activision: Yes huh...
Jason West: .....FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Activision: You fired fo insubordination yo, git out.
Jason West: Wutttttttttttttttttttttttt
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 8:55AM Cap Morgan said
@BananaBoat - I think it went more like this
Activision: We're giving Treyarch the MW IP. You're going to do the next Hello Kitty game.
Jason West: This is blashphemy! This is madness!!!!!!!
Activision: Madness......THIS IS ACTIVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
Activision: We're giving Treyarch the MW IP. You're going to do the next Hello Kitty game.
Jason West: This is blashphemy! This is madness!!!!!!!
Activision: Madness......THIS IS ACTIVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 9:58AM doreo said
Okay, according to another site. It is believed that the two co-founders were fired due to what they were planning to do once their contract with activision expires in October. It also states that none of the Infinity Ward team have received royalties for MW2's success.
http://www.bingegamer.net/2010/infinity-ward-has-not-received-royalties-for-modern-warfare-2/
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http://www.bingegamer.net/2010/infinity-ward-has-not-received-royalties-for-modern-warfare-2/
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 10:30PM (Unverified) said
Don't know how legit that is, what with Activision owning Infinity Ward... there can't be any breaches of contract between IW and Activision if they are the same company. Breach of contract in the sense of individual employees may be the case though.
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 2:59PM (Unverified) said
BananaBoat @ Mar 2nd 2010 6:48AM
Activision: So....we're totally changing Treyarchs next games name to "Modern Warfare 3"
Jason West: Nuh uh....
Activision: Yes huh...
Jason West: .....FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Activision: You fired fo insubordination yo, git out.
Jason West: Wutttttttttttttttttttttttt
I think u hit the nail on the head.
Reply
Activision: So....we're totally changing Treyarchs next games name to "Modern Warfare 3"
Jason West: Nuh uh....
Activision: Yes huh...
Jason West: .....FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Activision: You fired fo insubordination yo, git out.
Jason West: Wutttttttttttttttttttttttt
I think u hit the nail on the head.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 3:44AM Puertoricarious said
not to make light of anyone at IW who has been let go, but the last time something like this happened, those guys made a bigger and better studio and released what can pretty much be called the world's biggest video game.
so if they've been let go, then allow me to say that i'd love nothing more than to back these guys up in their future endeavors and tell activision to suck it.
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so if they've been let go, then allow me to say that i'd love nothing more than to back these guys up in their future endeavors and tell activision to suck it.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 8:05AM (Unverified) said
Typically if you're laid off your non-compete become null and void because you didn't break agreement, they did.
Any judge and jury in the world wouldn't go after someone breaking their non-compete in this economy.
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Any judge and jury in the world wouldn't go after someone breaking their non-compete in this economy.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 8:36AM aristokrat said
Yeah, you can't enforce a non-compete clause if the employer severed the contract, because that basically means someone can't work in the respective field for X amount of time. There's no definition of fair employment practices that that will ever fall under.
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 9:02AM CaptainProtonX said
And then Activision will buy and destroy them too.
It's like Mass Effect. Activision destroys any new gaming studio that rises to power. They are the Reapers.
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It's like Mass Effect. Activision destroys any new gaming studio that rises to power. They are the Reapers.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 10:41AM Mal F4cti0n said
Someone above posted a link that talks about how Activision hasn't paid out any owed royalties to IW.
That sounds like a breach on the parent company.....
"You want your money?"
"Yes please."
"Too Bad! Get the F' OUT!!!! Your Fired!"
And Donald Trump gets a nickel.
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That sounds like a breach on the parent company.....
"You want your money?"
"Yes please."
"Too Bad! Get the F' OUT!!!! Your Fired!"
And Donald Trump gets a nickel.
Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 3:47AM GiantBombNinja said
Does this mean there could be a massive exadous of IW staff and the creation of a new independant studio filled with Infinity Ward staff?
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 1:34PM That Burning Sensation said
Yeah I think there will be a mass exodus of employees. It it ironic or just sad that not too long ago Infinity Ward personality said this:"he [Kotick] was never pushy or oppressive ". I bet he hates making that statement. *(http://www.psxextreme.com/ps3-news/6101.html)
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Posted: Mar 2nd 2010 3:46AM Mike Knew said
Wow. In the name of fairness, I'll wait to see how this plays out, but I don't see Activision coming out as the good guys. Who knows, maybe they were selling crack to EA on the side or something, but I don't see what reasoning Activision could have to do this.
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