Creaters of Modern Warfare 2 Suing Activision

[Fargoth]

Fans of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 are used to dramatic battles, but a war of words emerging this week could determine the future of one of modern videogaming's most successful franchise.

Modern Warfare 2 co-creators Jason West and Vince Zampella, fired for alleged insubordination on Tuesday in a surprise move that shocked the entire industry, filed a strongly worded lawsuit with a California court today.

The filing described Activision as demonstrating "astonishing arrogance and unbridled greed," and accuses the company of terminating the pair in order to avoid paying them "substantial" royalties from last year's Modern Warfare 2 release, heralded as the biggest launch in entertainment history.

"Instead of thinking, lauding, or just plain paying Messers. West and Zampella for giving Activision the most successful entertainment product ever offered to the public," the filing says, "last month Activision hired lawyers to conduct a pretextual 'investigation' into unstated and unsubstantiated charges of 'insubordination' and 'breach of fiduciary duty.'"

The pair are seeking -- among other things -- damages in excess of $36 million, and a restoration of their rights to the Call of Duty franchise.

In turn, Activision described the pair's claims as "meritless," and insists it showed "enormous patience" before making its decision. The company also took the opportunity to reassert its ownership of the colossally successful Call of Duty franchise.

"Over eight years, Activision shareholders provided these executives with the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth," the company said in a press release. "Activision remains committed to the Call of Duty franchise, which it owns, and will continue to produce exciting and innovative games for its millions of fans."

Looks like this battle is just getting started.
http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/activision-modern-warfare-execs-trade-barbs-lawsuits/1392011

Title pretty much says it all turns out they are suing Activision for the money and the rights back. It would be great if that happened so there would be no more crap games that treyarch make. Thoughts?

[Variation-XBA]

They got rid of them a month before their royalties would have had to been paid to them too, seems fishy

[Vampero]

UPDATE!!

http://g4tv.com/videos/44561/Talkabouts----Infinity-Ward--Activision-Take-It-To-The-Courts/

[Ainokeatoo]

UPDATE!!

http://g4tv.com/videos/44561/Talkabouts----Infinity-Ward--Activision-Take-It-To-The-Courts/

Eh, basically, he said she said, I want this they owe me that. Only real interesting about this whole case is what happens if they do or don't get the "Modern warfare" title (which is ridiculously retarded if I might add).

Also Sessler is very annoying, lol I had to say it, lisps drive me crazy, makes me wanna go "THIS IS HOW YOU SAY IT" etc.

[sw0rdfish-XBA]

They got rid of them a month before their royalties would have had to been paid to them too, seems fishy
See this is what everyone is saying... but it just doesn't make sense. Activision KNOWS it has to pay good execs to make good games. It's part of doing business. From what I read, they're owed 36 Million dollars... Activision can make a lot more than 36 million dollars by holding on to these guys, keeping them happy and running out their contracts. Regardless of MW3 being made.

So the idea that the guys were looking for a way out, and Activision caught them, seems more plausible to me. That being said... it's probably something in the middle, and we'll never find out about it.