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UPDATE: Security Appears At Infinity Ward, Studio Heads Missing, Activision Investigating "Insubordination"

pklepek
223 Comments

Posted March 1, 2010 - By pklepek






Modern Warfare 2 GamesCom 2009 Co-Op Preview

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.

UPDATE: Security Appears Unannounced At Infinity Ward, Studio Heads Missing, Staff

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.

UPDATE: Security Appears At Infinity Ward, Studio Heads Missing, Activision Investigating "Insubordination"
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702911/update-security-appears-at-infinity-ward-studio-heads-missing-activision-investigating-insubordination/
http://files.g4tv.com/ImageDb3/173682_S/Modern-Warfare-2-GamesCom-2009-Co-Op-Preview.jpg
BlogThread_702911

Comments are Closed

  • Ben999999

    Either a publicity stunt to take attention away fro Bad Company 2, or, more likely those guys got fired or suspended and security is there to prevent them from returning to the building.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:11 PM
    Ben999999
  • Matt731

    wow, you guys at G4 have had quite a field day today, haven't you?

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:10 PM
    Matt731
  • StarWars_Enigma

    @Andrew Pfister

    How do you know?

    I'm not trying to be mean or anything and I hope that you're right, but what if violence is involved? Missing heads, random people showing up for no good reason, what if something like that is going down? I wouldn't go as far as relate it to Die Hard, like an earlier comment, but you never know or it could be just a publicity stunt.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:10 PM
    StarWars_Enigma
  • kedub57

    I bet the meeting was about money. Kotick was probably trying to short change IW because of Activision's recent money problems. It probably got heated and Kotick decided to lock out the workers in an effort to demonstrate "who is in charge."

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:10 PM
    kedub57
  • JustTheBeginning

    If this is a publicity stunt, shame on G4.

    Either way, you would this this was April 1st (fools day)

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:08 PM
    JustTheBeginning
  • Socalmic47

    Tempted to go down there. The office isn't that far from where I live. I'm guessing Activision wouldn't like it too much if I brought a video camera.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:08 PM
    Socalmic47
  • Bioquetra

    Forget Vince Russo. This is all the work of the nWo.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:07 PM
    Bioquetra
  • theantigzus

    Damn activision takes their games seriously : l

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:07 PM
  • stiznan

    Well lets look at the past, is it fair for me to say IW left their previous publisher due to creative differences or freedom. Then they are purchased by Activision who swears they can have that freedom. As things go on though you see the restriction come in specifically with MW2 no pc server support is of course the strong example. If you look deeper into the pc server issue, why would IW give up on the main demographic who got them to were they are unless it was a financial decision made by someone above them, Bobby K, I'm looking at you. My theory IW got tired of bull crap they obviously don't take sh* from anyone by leaving 2105 studios, and knowing they are good. So I'm sure Bobby K fired the people who disagreed with the strategy, and made sure everyone knew who is boss.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:05 PM
    stiznan
  • toothofymir

    OMG, it's the MIB!!!

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:03 PM
    toothofymir
  • brian9837

    No violence, only wet willies

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:03 PM
    brian9837
  • JOHNYisBACK

    what the???? This doesn't sound real...

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:02 PM
    JOHNYisBACK
  • prodigysflawless

    This is one of the most interesting days for gamers ever!!!!

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:01 PM
    prodigysflawless
  • QDOG8

    The Origami Killer strikes again!

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:01 PM
    QDOG8
  • Moose91

    Live from inside IW : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =-qxBXm7ZUTM

    Posted: March 1, 2010 8:01 PM
    Moose91
  • RedObsidion

    seriously what the hell is going on in the gaming world this week?!

    Posted: March 1, 2010 7:58 PM
    RedObsidion
  • Overrated44

    If this is publicity I'm literally going to stop buying Infinity Ward and Activision games....

    Posted: March 1, 2010 7:58 PM
    Overrated44
  • jjdaybr

    Publicity stunt or not, it is still entertaining.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 7:57 PM
    jjdaybr
  • Chunky_2336

    myb a Hint of new Spec. ops mission with DLC???

    Posted: March 1, 2010 7:57 PM
    Chunky_2336
  • GohanEgret

    I am laughing like a lunatic at G4's CNN-style "BREAKING NEWS" headers at the top of the page.

    Also, rumor has it that the government has pulled Jack Bauer out of retirement to handle this mess.

    Posted: March 1, 2010 7:57 PM
    GohanEgret

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