Activision Decapitates Infinity Ward

[chopemon]

If I were the boss at Microsoft's 343 Industries studio, my entire task list for today would revolve round making those people appear in my office for a chat.

[fishbowlhead]

Ahmen to that

[Neon Ignition]

They'll probably start up a new studio and all the devs will follow them. They quit EA back in the day because they didn't like the handling of the MOH series so I can't imagine they like working under the Activision regime. It's a bit different here though as I can't imagine Activision taking as big a hit as they have the franchise name and a (though some will argue otherwise) strong back up developer to lean on.

[Flabio]

There's also the fact Acti are suing them for an as yet unspecified reason. Not easy to start a new studio with a lawsuit hanging over you.

[capcom_suicide]

As a gamer I am optimistic some good will come of it, IF this really is:

Publisher: "We want MW3 asap"
Developer: "We want to do something new"

Because if its that simple then some very talented devs with a proven track record and AAA status for sales just became available.

Either way, they are in for a tough time if lawyers are involved, and I hope it works out OK for them.

[Brad]

Maybe they'll join Dave Doak to make Haze 2.

Good luck to whoever the good guys are in all of this.

[Malc]

If I were the boss at Microsoft's 343 Industries studio, my entire task list for today would revolve round making those people appear in my office for a chat.

I couldn't see many of the head IW people going to 343 Industries with Microsoft.

It seems like they had enough trouble as it is trying to make something other than COD games with EA. The last thing they would want to do is join another developer that only makes one brand of games.

[sj33]

The plot thickens.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-holding-back-mw2-royalties

IW not being paid? Activision only having the rights to CoD until October?

EDIT - BingeGamer have clarified their original article. Both Infinity Ward and CoD are fully owned by Activision, though developers at IW are/were in discussions with other publishers about making a new studio. If Activision really haven't paid them any of the $1bn profit they made from MW2, who can blame 'em?

[englishbob]

Activision are probably players of MW2 and are pissed off with all the holes in it. Maybe they thought IW might sort it out, but maybe they are too smashed out of their faces on massive piles of cash from the sales.

If you think I am being harsh, check the online leaderboards to see how un-maintained, pointless and un-moderated the whole thing is.

[PeteJ]

The plot thickens.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/activision-holding-back-mw2-royalties

IW not being paid? Activision only having the rights to CoD until October?

EDIT - BingeGamer have clarified their original article. Both Infinity Ward and CoD are fully owned by Activision, though developers at IW are/were in discussions with other publishers about making a new studio. If Activision really haven't paid them any of the $1bn profit they made from MW2, who can blame 'em?

If it's over unpaid royalties then it could have quite a big impact, not least on the reputation of Activision. Four massive titles under their belt, you'd think the publisher would do anything it could to keep them sweet. It's just good business sense.

Which, of course, makes me think that IW aren't innocent in this either. But hey, I'm sure the truth will come out eventually. Hopefully the good will continue to find good jobs.

edit - Activision have just announced the next CoD title is being developed by new company Sledgehammer (started by former Visceral bosses).

[JP]

Press release from Activision, it looks like Activison are going to class Call of Duty as another platform like they do with Guitar Hero now.

Activision Publishing Reveals New Plans for Call of Duty(R) Franchise
--Company to Establish Dedicated Business Unit to Focus on Product Excellence and Brand Expansion --Company Confirms New Call of Duty Game To Be Released in 2011 --Activision Publishing Plans to Launch Call of Duty in New Genres and Asia

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 2, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ -- Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced new strategic plans for the Call of Duty(R) franchise, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

The plans include the formation of a dedicated business unit that will bring together its various new brand initiatives with focused, dedicated resources around the world. The company intends to expand the Call of Duty brand with the same focus seen in its Blizzard(R) Entertainment business unit. This will include a focus on high-margin digital online content and further the brand as the leading action entertainment franchise in new geographies, new genres and with new digital business models.

"2010 will be another important year for the Call of Duty franchise," stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing. "In addition to continued catalog sales, new downloadable content from Infinity Ward and a new Call of Duty release, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the franchise to new geographies, genres and players."

The company expects to release a new Call of Duty game from Treyarch this fall. In addition, Infinity Ward is in development on the first two downloadable map packs for Modern Warfare(R) 2 for release in 2010.
The company is also for the first time announcing that a new game in the Call of Duty series is expected to be released in 2011 and that Sledgehammer Games, a newly formed, wholly owned studio, is in development on a Call of Duty game that will extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre. Sledgehammer is helmed by industry veterans Glen A. Schofield and Michael Condrey. Prior to joining Activision Publishing, Schofield was the Executive Producer of the award-winning game, Dead Space and Michael Condrey was the Sr. Development Director on the game. The Dead Space franchise has won more than 80 industry awards worldwide including the prestigious A.I.A.S. Action Game of the Year and two B.A.F.T.A.S.

The Call of Duty business unit will be led by Philip Earl, who currently runs Activision Publishing's Asia Pacific region and previously served in senior executive positions with Procter & Gamble and Nestle. Activision Publishing veterans Steve Pearce, chief technology officer and Steve Ackrich, head of production, will lead Infinity Ward on an interim basis. Jason West and Vince Zampella are no longer with Infinity Ward.

Lastly, Activision Publishing announced that the company is in discussions with a select number of partners to bring the franchise to Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for online multiplayer games in the world.
Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Publishing, Inc. is a leading worldwide developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure products.

EDIT:
Press Release

[PeteJ]

Yes, it does sound like the plan is to run the series into the ground.

Quite a neat take on it here - http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/2...dged_Sword.php
Mentions the unpaid royalties thing is not true however.

[JP]

I don't think it will be too bad, Call of Duty: Aerosmith has a lot of potential. I'm thinking it'll be a kart game.

[ChrisF]

I don't think it will be too bad, Call of Duty: Aerosmith has a lot of potential. I'm thinking it'll be a kart game.

If I'm forced to buy some ?99 piece of plastic that won't work with any other game, then sign me up!

[huxley]

If I'm forced to buy some ?99 piece of plastic that won't work with any other game, then sign me up!

Quote of the day Sir