Ex-Infinity Ward bosses file lawsuit against Activision
The battle between the former CEO and president/game director of Infinity Ward and Activision is getting a little uglier.
Jason West and Vince Zampella, who were
fired earlier this week, have filed a lawsuit against Activision, claiming the company "terminated their employment weeks before they were to be paid substantial royalty payments as part of their existing contracts for Modern Warfare 2."
However, some industry analysts seem unconcerned. Speaking with
Joystiq, Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter explains how the fact that West and Zampella haven't been paid royalties yet isn't so surprising.
"I don't know the nature of [Infinity Ward's] contract, but my bonus is paid after year-end (in February), and theirs is likely the same. The idea that they haven't been paid 'yet' is not all that surprising. The year just closed, and the final SEC documents were filed yesterday."
"IW sold itself to Activision back in 2004, Activision owns the [Call of Duty] IP, and the guys leaving were employees under some kind of contract. Activision appears to believe that they have breached this contract, and may or may not be justified in withholding bonuses."
This lawsuit, if successful, could potentially be devastating to the future of the Modern Warfare franchise.
Gamer/Law's Jas Purewal says that West and Zampella are arguing that they have creative control over the mega-popular war series. An injunction against Activision prohibiting any further work on Modern Warfare until this lawsuit is resolved, Purewal says, is not out of the question. The Infinity Ward founders could possibly even veto upcoming Modern Warfare DLC, as well as future sequels.
Even as I was writing this post, Activision released an official statement addressing the lawsuit:
Activision is disappointed that Mr. Zampella and Mr. West have chosen to file a lawsuit, and believes their claims are meritless. 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, Activision legitimately expected them to honor their obligations to Activision, just like any other executives who hold positions 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.
One thing is for sure... this battle is going to get worse before it gets better.
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