UPDATE 6:05 PM: Ding. Another ex-Infinity Ward developer has landed at Respawn Entertainment. This time, it's former lead designer Mackey McCandlish, who I'm informed announced his news over Facebook.
UPDATE 5:25 PM: One more. Programmer Jon Shiring has confirmed he's joined the studio over Twitter. "I have accepted a job with Respawn Entertainment," said Shiring. "I can't wait for May 1st!"
UPDATE 4:13 PM: And then there were five. Former Infinity Ward software engineer Rayme C. Vinson has also joined Respawn Entertainment, according to a Facebook status update. Vinson's update says he starts work at Respawn Entertainment on May 1 and will perform the same development role at the new startup from West and Zampella.
UPDATE 4:04 PM: Todd Alderman is not alone; we have three more Respawn Entertainment recruits to add to the list. Former Infinity Ward lead animator Mark Grigsby, lead environmental artist Chris Cherubini and lead animator John Paul Messerly have all joined Respawn Entertainment under the same roles, according to updated Linkedin profiles.
ORIGINAL STORY: After Activision fired former Infinity Ward leadership Jason West and Vince Zampella, a steady stream of senior designers, programmers, artists and other employees have turned in letters of resignation. All of them have been quiet about their future plans. It's been widely speculated that some would follow their former studio heads to their new company, Respawn Entertainment.
Now, it's official.
Former Infinity Ward lead designer Todd Alderman has joined Respawn Entertainment as a lead game designer, according to his Linkedin profile.
Respawn Enertainment was only announced earlier this month by West and Zampella. The studio has already inked a publishing deal with Electronic Arts, but unlike Call of Duty with Activision, West and Zampella maintain complete creative control over the new game. EA said it would fund the new game, however, and it's expected the deal would cover multiple games. But Respawn controls their destiny.
The new developer has not announced a new project because it doesn't actually have one yet.
"It's all about focusing and making sure our premiere title is huge and something that the fans and the gaming community really are gonna love," said West in an interview with G4 following the announcement of Respawn Entertainment. "That's what we're all about right now."
When I spoke with West and Zampella, their company didn't even have an office yet.
With the addition of Alderman to their lineup, however, it's starting to come together.
Thanks to reader Jow for the tip!
Have something to share? Sitting on a news tip? E-mail me. You can also follow me on Twitter.
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enslavednumber
Where is Frank Gigoloti? Is he rejected?
enslavednumber
I think this is it folks. I hear no more exodus. So those 10 who left are most likely will end up at Respawn, but no more exodus imo.
enetico
I wonder if Grant Collier will be joining Them. He was one of the original IW founders along with West and Zampella.
Falconer13
It's nice to see the developers aren't just in it for the money. By the sounds of how things are going over at Infinity Ward, Activision is is going to have the worlds richest janitor on their hands.
broncoschamp2
With all this talent gone, I think it is safe to say if modern warfare 3 is released it is going to suck! activision you suck
JustTheBeginning
Coming from someone who actually stuck with the MW2 boycott and NEVER bought the game. I am very interested in any game that comes from Respawn Entertainment and will avoid Activision games like the plague.
Boogie1188
Why is there a picture from Call of Duty 3 in that collage? It wasn't an IW game.
DKBomber13
Alright!!! I hope you guys keep getting the best of the best of the best, sir! Looking forward to thier first project
ZyloWolfBane
I figured this was coming, I suspect something may or may not happen with Treyarch next.
I've called it before, and Im calling it here again, Activision will try to get their dirty hands into Treyarch's cookie jar and over-reach their boundries which will cause yet another exodus.
I think its great, the first few bricks on the bottom of one of the biggest powerhouses are beginning to crumble, perhaps with a few more it will humble them enough to stop treating games like sales figures and more like the entertainment items they are and giving the consumers what they pay for rather than just what the current demographic suggest will pay the most money to own.
MaximusPaynicus
He may be the first, but I would bet real money that he won't be the last. All the same, nothing but the best of luck to Todd, Jason, Vince and anyone else who jumps ship from IW to RS.
frictionman
He is the first of many, I suspect
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