Girl Gamer

MW2 Dev- Infinity Ward: Missing Execs

By GG-AngelThanatos 5 months ago • 12 Comments

Missing CTO FOUND – in Unemployment Line…

March 1, 2010

ENCINO, CA – Moments ago, G4 news editor Patrick Klepek reported a disturbing incident occurring at Modern Warfare 2 developer, Infinity Ward.

Apparently, there has been some tension between the studio and parent company Activision; but when studio heads, Vince Zampella (CEO) and Jason West (Chief Technology Officer) didn’t return from a meeting with Activision this morning, things only got worse.

Non-uniformed “bouncer types” reportedly approached the building and wouldn’t tell Infinity Ward employees who they were or why they were there. “Everyone is on edge,” said the source, who has thus far remained anonymous.

The news has spread like wild fire over Twitter and other social networks, which has elicited responses ranging from suspicion, worry and of course, Russian jokes.

This incident falls suspiciously close to the failure of the Playstation Network and midnight launch of Battlefield: Bad Company 2. Activision did not immediately return phone calls for comment.

In a Twitter post at 8:43 PST, Patrick Klepek insisted, “Guys, come on. This is not a publicity stunt.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: About an hour later, Jason West posted on his own Facebook page that he had been fired.

Source

While rumors initially indicated the meeting was based around discussions of Infinity Ward wanting to break away from Activision, sources are now indicating that they wished to renegotiate their existing contracts with Activision to maintain the status quo, while Activision wished to adjust the contract in their favor. Sources claim that both IW and Activision have an aggressive contract over the CoD franchise that is renewed every 5 years, 2010 being the year for re-negotiations.

Earlier today Activison went on to submit an SEC filing initiating a human resources investigation claiming “breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward.” Although it names two senior employees, it is still unclear whether or not Vince Zampella is in fact the other senior employee aforementioned.

As per the SEC filing:

“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.

In addition, we are party to other routine claims and suits brought by us and against us in the ordinary course of business, including disputes arising over the ownership of intellectual property rights, contractual claims, employment laws, regulations and relationships, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, the outcome of such routine claims and lawsuits will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.”

....But the real two stars of this hype have yet to come forward and identify themselves. So until further notice the unidentified “bouncer types” will simply be known as Russian A and Russian B…

Additional Contributers: GG-RachelLara, Joylia