Troubles at Infinity Ward.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:32

http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/02/rumor ... igher-ups/

Joying Stiq wrote:

G4's The Feed, which has been in communication with a source at Infinity Ward, reports that organizational changes may be in effect at the FPS developer's offices. The source claims 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." In addition, The Feed notes that Infinity Ward's studio heads, Vince Zampella and Jason West, were not seen by fellow staff members after a meeting with Activision on Monday morning. A desk guard at Infinity Ward's offices was unable to confirm any of the events to Joystiq, and calls to community manager Robert Bowling went unanswered at the time of writing.

Apparently, on Monday Activision filed a Form 10-K with the SEC, which is basically an overview of the company's financial condition, and includes any information that could possibly affect that condition. This filing states, "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."

Co-studio head Jason West has reportedly changed both his Facebook status and LinkedIn page to indicate that he is no longer employed. As soon as we get more news, we'll pass it along.

Cripes. I wonder what on Earth could have caused that.

Grim... · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:34

Christ.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:44

OooOOooooOOooooo

Fookin Prones!

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

What ever could they have done? I'm predicting* that they were planning to go independent and so were nabbing code to take with them. Or something.

Still having lopped off the head of IW, I'm sure activision will drive them from strength to strength.

* aka wildly speculating without any evidence or insight

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49252

Inquiry into 'insubordination'?

NervousPete · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:45

Jebus.

Reminds me of that bit I saw in some documentary about Commodore or Amstrad or Atari or Spectrum or a games publisher something which had bouncers and bewildered staff and bru-hahaha. But I can't remember what company or when or even if I merely dreamed it. Chinny?

EDIT:

Think it was these pioneers of 'Mega-Games' that went all tits up.

TheVision · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:50

Was that the one where all the staff went for lunch and when they came back the offices had been locked? They couldn't even get in to get their personal items if I remember correctly.

Can't remember what it was called but it was fascinating!

NervousPete · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:55

That's the one.

Somewhere, away from a computer, Chinny is quivering - himself being quite unable to discern why.

TheVision · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 13:56

The name is on the tip of my tongue... :facepalm:

I liked seeing people sitting around desks with no computers on them, just piles of paper... and they all seemed to smoke in the offices! Good times I'm sure!

Dimrill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:04

I'm wondering whether it has anything to do with Infinity Ward not being given the job of completing the Modern Warfare trilogy and instead being assigned to a different project rumoured to be an MMO type thing.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:05

I think it might be.

markg · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 16683

I think it might not be.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:07

I think it might be something to do with PS3s being rubbish.

Malc74 · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:11

TheVision wrote:

The name is on the tip of my tongue... :facepalm:

I liked seeing people sitting around desks with no computers on them, just piles of paper... and they all seemed to smoke in the offices! Good times I'm sure!

Commercial Breaks. Imagine Software.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

EA should hire them all.

kalmar · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:18

Zardoz wrote:

OooOOooooOOooooo

Fookin Prones!

Noise amnesty granted due to LOL.

Nemmie · **Joined:** 13th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 1643

I think it's more likely that they have been planning to start up on their own and take employees with them. Maybe offering things to a rival software company as a sweetener for employment.

Both things are probably against their contracts or maybe it's something as simple as fraud.

myp · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:19

LewieP wrote:

EA should hire them all.

I doubt they'll be allowed due to non-competitive agreements, etc.

LewieP · **Joined:** 29th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 7600

myoptikakaka wrote:

LewieP wrote:

EA should hire them all.

I doubt they'll be allowed due to non-competitive agreements, etc.

The joke is that Infinity Ward used to be the Medal of Hono(u)r team.

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:37

They should have sent in 4 russian hit men* in and mowed them all down indiscriminately.

*well, 3 and a Septic I suppose.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

myoptikakaka wrote:

I doubt they'll be allowed due to non-competitive agreements, etc.

Non-competes are extremely difficult to enforce in law.

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:45

How much were they worth?

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

MetalAngel wrote:

How much were they worth?

Hard to say. They are owned outright by Activision, so there's no value on Infinity Ward as a company. Also, "were"? Apart from the loss of two staff (and ramifications on morale) they're still in the same business.

My guess is, these two will be accused of trying to start up a side company whilst still working for Activision, so will fall foul of exclusive employer contract clauses. They probably also attempted to coerce staff away to work for them. I'm guessing Activision aren't on a fishing trip, so this probably happened, as opposed to being bullshit accusations.

They might also have been trying to steal IP but if so they are highly stupid as that's rather easier to prove than "you offered Fred a job when you were making coffee once" / "did I? Then prove it!".

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

On the matter of non-competes, Infinity Ward are based in LA and so they are immune from non-competes (as Californian law only allows for very specific clauses). Of course, that effects what you do after you leave your employer; it doesn't cover you for naughty-naughties whilst still employed.

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:53

The rumblings on UriGeller suggest that they were ordered to make MW3 and said 'nuh uh' and then Kotick said 'yuh huh!' and bouncers appeared. And one said to the rest, "remember, no Russian."

Curiosity · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 14:53

*watches joke fly over Gaywood's head*

Cpt_Droman · **Joined:** 12th May, 2009 **Posts:** 597

It's a bit heavy handed for finishing the communal milk and not replacing it, isn't it?

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49252

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

MetalAngel wrote:

The rumblings on UriGeller suggest that they were ordered to make MW3 and said 'nuh uh' and then Kotick said 'yuh huh!' and bouncers appeared."

Nope. From the SEC Filing:

Quote:

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.

IW were not asked to write the MW3, it seems, and in any event, a spat about which game the studio made next does not add up to the serious accusations and heavy-handed actions Activision are doing here.

Mr Dave · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 15:01

Quote:

At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company.

Yes, but unfortunately for Activision, they are cretins.

Cras · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 49252

That wouldn't be MW3, that would be WAW2, or something similar.

Grim... · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 15:02

Curiosity wrote:

*watches joke fly over Gaywood's head*

That's not saying much - it hardly has to be high, does it?

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 15:04

I thought he's not small now?

itsallwater · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 15:05

They got fired because of the bags of money, cocaine and hookers at the last board meeting.

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 15:05

itsallwater wrote:

They got fired because of the bags of money, cocaine and hookers at the last board meeting.

Yeah, there weren't enough to go round.

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38729

In related news

Activision shuts down fan project 8 years in the making

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 17:00

Bastards!

Amusing that the pic they've chosen seems to be King Graham relating this news to his friend Miguel the Stoat.

"They've pulled the plug, Miguel."

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 17:07

Spat may be to do with unpaid royalties which have prompted IW to begin secret negotiations to escape, reports YuwaGaiden.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

If that's true, then this is going to be extremely interesting.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Hmm. Doesn't make sense to me actually. Activison own Infinity Ward outright, so how can "the studio's contractual obligations to Activision end October 2010"? And how is "Infinity Ward partially owns the rights to the Call of Duty IP" meaingful?

I can believe the two senior management were planning a breakaway studio though, taking staff with them.

Dimrill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 17:19

Seems to me that they're less "Infinity" Ward and more.... something funnier to do with the situation they're in. *Cough*

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 17:45

More insight from the amusingly named Binge Gamer (responsible gamers don't exceed four pwnages per day)

DavPaz · **Joined:** 27th Jun, 2008 **Posts:** 38729

Injunction ward more like!

AHAHHAHAAA

Zardoz · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 17:54

Dimrill wrote:

Seems to me that they're less "Infinity" Ward and more.... something funnier to do with the situation they're in. *Cough*

The suits have played the, Unfunnity Card.

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

I'm amazed how openly Activision will behave like cunts And by cunts I mean a company that talks openly about being a profit driven company rather than one that pretends to care about the art of it all (like the others).

Killing Kings Quest, no IP unless it can have yearly series, throwing Brutal Legend aside then suing them. And so on, and so on.

It always felt to me like IW hate Activision — who clearly want to make CoD some MMO filled with microtransactions. So I don't feel it's stretching to think that the top bods were trying to worm their way out somehow.

Bobbyaro · **Joined:** 18th Apr, 2008 **Posts:** 11917

I think given the lack of COD branding on MW2 that IW were trying to set up a MW brand.

Doctor Glyndwr · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 32624

Dr Lave wrote:

I'm amazed how openly Activision will behave like cunts And by cunts I mean a company that talks openly about being a profit driven company rather than one that pretends to care about the art of it all (like the others).

You prefer your capitalism with a side of hypocrisy, then?

Dimrill · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 20:32

Good point Laveo. I actually hadn't considered how nakedly capitalistic Activision are. I'd try to lump EA along side that, but they at least gave us Mirror's Edge and Dead Space to play with.

metalangel · **Posted:** Tue Mar 02, 2010 20:34

That seems to be the image most companies like to project, and it seems to please him, yes.

You'd certainly expect it more from a company that makes entertainment products as opposed to a company that makes, I don't know, transistors or toilet seats or shoelaces.

Dr Lave · **Joined:** 30th Mar, 2008 **Posts:** 5979

Doctor Glyndwr wrote:

Dr Lave wrote:

I'm amazed how openly Activision will behave like cunts And by cunts I mean a company that talks openly about being a profit driven company rather than one that pretends to care about the art of it all (like the others).

You prefer your capitalism with a side of hypocrisy, then?

Well, yes obviously.

I much, much prefer companies that give lip service to the pastime having some artistic (gamic?) worth. Because that gives the slight chance that a Mirror's Edge (EA) or a Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Ubisoft) or a Rhythm Tengoku (Nintendo) or a Outrun 2 (SEGA) to slip through the cracks.

It gives Developers a leg to stand on, when trying to get their art past the publishers.

It suggests as well at some level, the publishers believe the public care about this kind of thing, even though the publishers really don't. And thats A Good Thing.

EDIT - as Dimmers has mentioned.

Be Excellent To Each Other

Troubles at Infinity Ward.
Jam not so popular.

Who is online

Be Excellent To Each Other

Troubles at Infinity Ward. Jam not so popular.

Who is online

Troubles at Infinity Ward.
Jam not so popular.