Activision/Infinity Ward Battle Royale

[BreakABone]

So not content with alternating years with the Call of Duty franchise, it looks like Activision has set up a studio to expand the game into new territories starting with an action/adventure game next year.

I'm assuming, it will simply be a 3rd person shooter.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27482/Analysis_Infinity_Wards_DoubleEdged_Sword.php

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.

The plans include the formation of a dedicated business unit that will bring together its various new brand initiatives with focused, dedicated resources around the world. The company intends to expand the Call of Duty brand with the same focus seen in its Blizzard® Entertainment business unit. This will include 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.

"2010 will be another important year for the Call of Duty franchise," stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing. "In addition to continued catalog sales, new downloadable content from Infinity Ward and a new Call of Duty release, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the franchise to new geographies, genres and players."

The company expects to release a new Call of Duty game from Treyarch this fall. In addition, Infinity Ward is in development on the first two downloadable map packs for Modern Warfare® 2 for release in 2010.

The company is also for the first time announcing that a new game in the Call of Duty series is expected to be released in 2011 and that Sledgehammer Games, a newly formed, wholly owned studio, is in development on a Call of Duty game that will extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre. Sledgehammer is helmed by industry veterans Glen A. Schofield and Michael Condrey. Prior to joining Activision Publishing, Schofield was the Executive Producer of the award-winning game, Dead Space and Michael Condrey was the Sr. Development Director on the game. The Dead Space franchise has won more than 80 industry awards worldwide including the prestigious A.I.A.S. Action Game of the Year and two B.A.F.T.A.S.

The Call of Duty business unit will be led by Philip Earl, who currently runs Activision Publishing's Asia Pacific region and previously served in senior executive positions with Procter & Gamble and Nestle. Activision Publishing veterans Steve Pearce, chief technology officer and Steve Ackrich, head of production, will lead Infinity Ward on an interim basis. Jason West and Vince Zampella are no longer with Infinity Ward.

Lastly, Activision Publishing 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.

~Edit~
I may be mistaken, it seems like IW won't be returning to Modern Warfare for a bit, instead this action/adventure game is the Call of Duty for next year?

Here is some details on what happened between Activision and IW

Simmering problems between Activision and Modern Warfare 2 development studio Infinity Ward — involving the creative direction of the Call of Duty series — may have come to a head with yesterday's dismissal of IW's two studio heads.

The reasons for the dismissal of Jason West and Vince Zampella, the top two men at Infinity Ward remain murky a day after the news broke that there was a shake-up at the Activision-owned studio. The publisher, in a financial filing, only vaguely referred to "insubordination" and "breach of contract".

But in the past 24 hours the long-rumored problems between Activison and IW have come a little more clearly to light. A source familiar with the studio told Kotaku that Infinity Ward has long bristled at the notion of any studio other than IW making a Call of Duty game. The studio heads' renewed 2009 contract with Activision affirmed that only Infinity Ward would be allowed to make Call of Duty games set in the modern era, according to the source.

Infinity Ward's two most recent games were 2007's Call of Duty IV: Modern Warfare and 2009's Modern Warfare 2. In between, Activision-owned Treyarch developed Call of Duty: World At War and is expected to making 2010's Call of Duty, keeping with Activision's annual Call of Duty cycle. Infinity Ward, according to conversations Kotaku has had with employees at the studio in the past, is a one-game studio and one committed to two-year cycles. For IW, making a Call of Duty annually would not have been consistent with the studio's current structure. (Tensions between the studios flared up in public online close to the release of World at War.)

Kotaku has continued to hear from sources that Infinity Ward wanted to make either a new intellectual property or a game set in the future — the two projects might be one and the same — but that Activision resisted that.

Tensions between Infinity Ward and Activision had intensified in recent months to the point that IW would only deal with two employees from the publisher, according to Kotaku sources.

It's unclear if disagreements about creative direction are what finally led to West and Zampella's dismissal. But those disagreements appear to have contributed to the frailty of the relationship between publisher and studio that led to yesterday's breaking point.

http://kotaku.com/5484046/

[TheSlyMoogle]

Uhm I could actually be down for a COD TPS. Army of 2 didn't do it for me. However if it's akin to Gears goodness, I'll accept. However if it's the lame BS that they have in 3rd Person mode on MW2, then fuck that.

[Krypton]

Uhm I could actually be down for a COD TPS. Army of 2 didn't do it for me. However if it's akin to Gears goodness, I'll accept. However if it's the lame BS that they have in 3rd Person mode on MW2, then fuck that.

i must agree with you there. Army of Two didn't meet my expectations whatsoever. i've never played GoW but just from the sight of others playing it, that would be really, really nice.

[BreakABone]

I guess it depends on the type of game, and once again must correct my statement.

It seems like there will be a Call of Duty from Treyarch this year, DLC for MW 2 this year, the new action/adventure game next year and a new IW Call of Duty game next year.

So not completely milking, but this is Activision who have been able to ruin TH and Guitar Hero, so let's see em do it now.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Not sure it's really possible to ruin CoD at this point. It's an FPS and people are like "OMG FPS" and "OMG COD"

The two things scream "OMG"

So like really the only thing that will probably kill it is when the next big FPS thing comes along and does everything that CoD does only better and makes all kinds of bitches want to play it online 24/7.

Which really that didn't happen until MW1 came along anyway. Before that what were people murdering each other in? Halo mostly.

[BreakABone]

Not sure it's really possible to ruin CoD at this point. It's an FPS and people are like "OMG FPS" and "OMG COD"

The two things scream "OMG"

So like really the only thing that will probably kill it is when the next big FPS thing comes along and does everything that CoD does only better and makes all kinds of bitches want to play it online 24/7.

Which really that didn't happen until MW1 came along anyway. Before that what were people murdering each other in? Halo mostly.

Oh but you can kill it, or dilute the brand, while WaW sold well, it was vastly outsold by the original MW and of course MW 2, and I suspect the same with CoD this year.

My guess is that with the alternating years and multiple titles per year, it won't sell gangbusters, and may eventually reach GH status, where people wonder why need to buy it every year.

[TheSlyMoogle]

This might put a damper on the plan:

http://kotaku.com/5485295/infinity-ward-founders-suing-activision-over-unpaid-royalties

[BreakABone]

More on ze lawsuit.

hese allegations do not prove Activision is guilty in any way. It is the Plaintiff's side and is a document meant to give them a good case.

but
-Here's the summary of the court document: -
(quotation are straight from the document - and my wording meant to be only reflecting what the document said, nothing more or less)

They alledge that Activision had "shoestringed" them budget-wise to buy them for a total of 1.5 (30% first), 3.5 (remaining 70%) - 6 million dollars for a franchise that earned them according to Activision itself, 3$ billion. At this point, Activision and Kotick told them to "keep doing what they do" to "retain the magic of their creations", as in basically work as if they hadn't been bought by Activision. West and Zampella became the co-heads of IW and were hired under Activision for a 3 year contract, with two supplement years afterwards, ending late 2008. Then Activision wanted them to make MW2, but W and Z weren't sure. Activision then assured them to work as an independent studio, but had already begun to intrude by "[...] for example, Activision forced IW's employees to continue producing the games at a break neck pace under aggressive schedules, and W and Z were concerned that Activision was emphasizing quantity over quality." Forcing them to work only on MW also was a creative concern, burning out employees only working on the same type of game instead of the studio coming up with new titles. Activision was making billions of dollars and IW were "[...] not being provided a fair share".

Due to this a "Memorandum of Understanding" (MOU) was signed by Activision; and W and Z. (these documents are not publically available) - now W and Z were signed until October 2011 and to deliver MW2 by November 15, 2009.

The MOU and an "Employment Agreement" made, promises W and Z creative authority over development under the MW brand or any Call of Duty game set in the post- Vietnam era, the near future or the distant future, including complete control over IW. The MOU also says that no such games can be released without the written consent of W and Z. The MOU also assured IW and W and Z more money via stock options and royalties for any CoD game and tech royalties for Activision games making significant use of IW technology (like IW's engine being used in other games, which has happened earlier [no examples listed]). This to ensure more money also to the hard-working employees.

They lived up to their end of the deal with finishing MW2 five days before deadline, Kotick then touted MW2 as the largest release for Activision ever, exceeding 1$ billion in five days, with 3$ billion to-date.

After this Activision chose "[...] not to honor the MOU or the Employment Agreement with W and Z. Activision chose instead, to launch a pre-textual investigation against W and Z to create a basis to fire two co-heads of IW before the first MW2 royalty payment would be paid on March 31, 2010," starting February 3, 2010. "From the very beginning, it was clear that the purpose of the investigation was not to uncover any facts concerning any actual wrongdoing, but to manufacture a basis to fire W and Z." strengthened by Activision refusing to tell what it was all about, insisting instead in "[...] Orwellian fashion that W and Z 'already have a clear understanding of what they have or have not done.'", only hearing such things as "[...]"breaches of contract" or "violation of Activision's policies" and said that if they asked more, it would be considered insubordination, which itself would justify their termination"

"Activision conducted the investigation in a manner designed to maximize the inconvenience and anxiety it would cause W and Z. On little notice, Activision insisted on conducting interviews over the Presidents' Day holiday weekend; W and Z were interrogated for over six hours in a windowless conference room; Activision brought other IW employees to tears in their questioning and accusations and threatened W and Z with "insubordination" if they attempted to console them; Activision's outside counsel demanded that W and Z surrender their personal computers, phones and communication devoices to Activision for review by Activision's outside counsel and, when W and Z asserted their legally protected privacy rights, Activision's counsel said that doing so constituted further acts of insubordination."

After it was over, it was clear that the investigation was was a charade, by the charges being dispored or not included in the investigation, showing Activision only wanting to fire them to refuse to pay what they've earned. They were given 6 hours to disprove themselves, without interview scripts or clear allegations. It was seemingly also futile, since Activision already had made up its mind.

Despite the MOU, Activision filed on March 1st personel plans to assert complete control over the MW brand and the IW Studio.

They are suing for $36 million due to:
1.) Breach of Contract,
by Activision not living up to their end of the MOU or Employee Agreement, refusing to pay what they said they would, despite IW living up to their side.

2.) Breach of the Implied Covenant of Good Faith and Fair Dealing,
Refusing to pay, assuming control over the franchise despite MOU, and by firing them without probable cause made in bad faith.

3.) Wrongful Termination

4.) Declatory Relief
Suing for control of the MW brand and that Activision cannot release another MW game or Cod game set post-Vietnam era, near future or distant future without the written consent of W and Z
and sues for all royalties not yet paid and all future royalties under the MOU and Employee Agreement




tl;dr:
West and Zampella wanted Infinity Ward to an independent studio, but Activision gave them what they needed to continue working under them - a contracted right to royalties for the MW games and tech royalties for any technology used from IW. Activision allegedly did not want to live up to this by making a phony investigation, making employees cry, threatening to fire W and Z if they tried to console them

http://i45.tinypic.com/2eqe89g.jpg

[TheSlyMoogle]

Wow activision sucks balls.

[BreakABone]

Not that many care, but seems like the folks who got fired from IW have formed a new studio called Respawn Studio and pretty much bleeding talent from IW.

http://kotaku.com/5515489/modern-warfare-team-loses-two-more-veterans-%5Bupdate%5D

So far 6 people total.

[TheSlyMoogle]

http://art.penny-arcade.com/photos/834815274_EbCpP-L.jpg

[magus113]

This whole IW/Activision thing is kinda getting out of hand.

Don't get me wrong, if the guys from IW were told to go fuck by Activision I'm sure it was because they were trying to get them to do something ridiculous that they didn't want to know because they're not slaves to money (more like they're slaves to making quality products) and Activision labels it as "insubordination".

Whatever, Activision really needs to just...I dunno. They're honestly higher on my shitlist than EA used to be. I wonder how the next IW CoD/action-adventure game or w/e will be without the big guys from IW taking the wheel.

If my guess is correct Activision is gonna hire some toolbags that they have working from some other department to run IW and no one is going to like them, so they're signed their death warrant as far as good CoD games go. The Treyarch ones are mediocre at best.

[BreakABone]

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KRU5f-081LE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KRU5f-081LE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

The Modern Warfare 2 credits with the departures crossed out.

[BreakABone]

The self-implosion of Activision continues, this truly is one of the most screwed up situations in gaming memory.

Activision sued for up to $125 million by current, former Infinity Ward employees

Activision's Call of Duty-related headaches just leveled up.

More than three dozen former and current employees of Infinity Ward, the Encino-based development studio that made the hugely successful Call of Duty: Modern Warfare video games for Activision Blizzard Inc., have sued the publisher claiming that they are owed between $75 million and $125 million in unpaid royalties and potentially more in compensatory damages.

...

Of the 38 employees involved in the lawsuit, 21 are former employees of Infinity Ward; 17 still work there. Approximately 95 people worked at Infinity Ward on last November's Modern Warfare 2, meaning that about 40% of its employees at that time are now suing Activision.

...

The lawsuit says that Activision owes Infinity Ward employees a bonus pool of at least $118 million, of which $82 million is supposed to go to employees other than West and Zampella.

It alleges that the publisher has withheld royalty payments in order to keep them from leaving as their former bosses did, putting at risk the potentially hugely lucrative release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 planned for late 2011.

"Activision engaged in this inappropriate course of conduct in an attempt to force employees of Infinity Ward to continue to work at a job that many of them did not want just so Activision could force them to complete the development, production and delivery of Modern Warfare 3," the suit says.
It goes on to allege that Activision representatives told Infinity Ward employees that if West and Zampella had not been fired, the employees would have received bonuses approximately 2.5 times higher than what they were paid on March 26.

An Activision spokeswoman said she was not aware of the lawsuit and could not immediately comment.

The complaint filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court in Santa Monica is based in part on the same allegations contained in West and Zampella's suit. Isaacs has asked that the two cases be consolidated.

-- Ben Fritz

[Xantar]

Next up: Activision announces that they have struck a deal with NBC to film a reality TV series based on their courtroom battles.

You know it's going to happen.

[magus113]

This situation just gets worse and worse. I mean Activision can suck it but damn