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UPDATE 12:02 AM: Double Fine's Tim Schafer, who had his own troubles with Activision over the release of Brutal Legend, recently commented on Twitter about what's happening between Infinity Ward and Activision.
"Getting mad at Activision for this kind of thing is like getting mad at an ape for throwing feces," said Schafer. "It's just how the beast communicates."
UPDATE 11:20 PM: It turns out Activision may have showed their hand in this matter earlier today.
In an SEC filing made this morning, Activision cited a human resources investigation into "breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward."
Based on the information we currently have, at least one of those employees may have included Infinity Ward CTO Jason West. It's possible Vince Zampella is the other unmentioned employee.
"This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation," read the filing. "At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company."
UPDATE 11:11 PM: Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling has vaguely addressed the situation.
"I should also say, while I appreciate all the calls, tweets, messages and hearing my ringtone a lot," said Bowling on his Twitter account, "they're in vain - as I have no info."
UPDATE 10:07 PM: More developments on the situation at Infinity Ward have come to light.
A screen shot surfaced from Infinity Ward CTO Jason West's Facebook page at Kotaku with the status update "Jason West is drinking. Also, unemployed." I can confirm from a source that's friends with West that update did actually come from West's account.
West also updated his Linkedin profile to appears to reflect a change in employment.
"President/Game Director/CCO/CTO Infinity Ward
January 2001 – March 2010 (9 years 3 months)"
While this doesn't yet provide much insight into what actually happened at Infinity Ward, it confirms there are changes afoot at the Call of Duty developer. As soon as I know more, you'll know more.
ORIGINAL STORY: Something's happening at Infinity Ward right now.
A source close to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 developer just informed me 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.
"Everyone is on edge," said my source.
Infinity Ward studio heads Vince Zampella and Jason West reportedly met with Activision this morning and have not been seen by Infinity Ward staff members since. My source did not delve into specifics, but described the relationship between Infinity Ward and Activision lately as "tense."
The mood around the Infinity Ward offices is currently described as "freaked out" and "confused."
"We just wanna make our games," said my source.
I've contacted Activision for comment on the ongoing situation at Infinity Ward. Stay tuned.
Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.
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Comments
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miningguy
sounds like they're taking the fun out of making video games
Harlequin19
Hey all of you other bleeding heart gamers, how do you know that Activision is actually even in the wrong?
Simple fact: You don't. You're nothing but a bunch of overly speculative spin-mongers who have NO IDEA on what exactly is going on in the situation. What if West and Zampella were embezelling? What if they were cooking the books? How do you know they weren't selling off information to other companies? What if it was something worse than any of those things?
"Oh no, Activision sent the g-men in to fire the poor IW heads, let's just assume the "little guys" are in the right!" Seriously, cry more about something else you know nothing about.
I have no real love for Activision other than the fact that I buy some of their games and I probably have just as little for IW, so I'm just going to sit back and not make assumptions as to what really happened because at the end of the day, I'm not going to really care.
And frankly if West and Zampella were behind the lack of zombies, lack of co-op campaign and lack of better PC support in MW2, then I hope they never work again.
EKG
Wow Activision, you just wont stop hammering those Nails in your Public Image Coffin, will you??
mordi
Now we all know those two will open a new studio and I wonder just how many people from IW will follow them. I have a feeling that they will go with EA Parters as it gives the studio the financial backing of EA but gives them free reign over their project and most importantly they have ownership of the IP. I don't think they will go with other publishers unless they give them ownership of their IP. Either way, we'll see a new IP from them by E3 or that the upcoming Medal of Honor game just got a little better.
SparksKincade
I doubt this has anything to do with their brutal murder of dedicated servers but I am one PC gamer feeling like like Infinity Ward is finally reaping it's share of the whirlwind for what it did.
bestclipfan
I wonder how this is going to effect MW3.
MindCarrot
You maniacs! You blew it up! DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU TO HELL!!!!
bmackisback
Klepak is slacking, where's Johnson when we need him. You bet Johnson would be caught slacking. Well, if it's true that West was fired, I'm sure he will land on his feet, he is VERY talented. As for Activision, not a big fan of how they conduct business.
DrWaffle
I love the fact that Patrick broke this story, he is definately rising as one of the next generation at G4.
This will send shockwaves through the gaming industry, but....West must have done some pretty bad things to be booted after releasing one of the biggest video games of all time. Anyone think Mr. West might stop by EA to give the next Battlefield a leg up to say 'screw you' to Activison?
hellslinger12
What the hell is going on?
GatsuBlackSword
WTF!!! Activision Must Love For Gamers To Hate Them?
SilverJC
So the big heads of Infinity Ward where in some wrong doing..... I cried fraud yesterday, guess I was right.
Nightshade386
What the hell Klepak? Did you go to bed? Don't you know we're counting on you to give us the good here?
Seriously, when all the other game sites are quoting you, you've done some fantastic reporting on this one.
balss248
call of duty airplane misson round 2, save infinity ward.
AnomalyOfMax
Wait, whats going on ?
z26mb4027
Wow, this is not what I expected to see when I woke up this morning.
I feel like I just got blind sided by a speeding train, and now i'm like wtf?
Viper12
I will release my hostages as soon as infinity ward and bungie revamp their multiplayer and ban ALL JUMPING GRADMAS...or else.......
amoakopoku
So Activision / Blizzard lets go of the people that is making them money, World of Warcraft has not seen any growth....Activison prob just shot themself in the foot. He hope for Jason West to being pick up very quickly for a new job and also "GREAT JOB" by Patrick Klepek for keep us updated and i being the FIRST on this topic. NICE JOB you were the TMZ of gaming.
JMason1984
Wow, I knew Activision is a company not afraid to hand out the pink slips but letting go Jason West? How stupid and moronic are you? Jason West produced two blockbuster, high quality games and you fire him? WTF, for breach of contract and/or insubordination? The man is a golden goose you give them a little leeway like a nerd who develops cornucopia technology he gets to do whatever he likes in order that he makes something better, which would be pretty impressive for something like replicators. Come on, Jason West made the first successful and progressive movement from WWII shooters to modern day not once but twice. Anyway, I hope Jason West the best and he recovers from this shortly with another gaming company, making Activision eat his pink slip.
C4_BANDIT
RUN!!!!! Infinity Ward we need you don't get kidnapped!
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