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New information on the IW firings.
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New information on the IW firings.Posted:
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Quote - DemonSeed
Well, apparently, Jason West got caught discussing the possibility of the employees of the studio going with another publisher.
Although the studio is owned 100% by Activision, the staff's contracts (including the principle executives) are up for renewal in October of this year. Jason was discussing the possibilty of all of them leaving and going with another publisher. However, built into their employment contracts is a Non-Compete clause which prevents this happening. So, in effect, West breached the terms of his employment.
Why were they thinking about doing it? Because, apparently, the studio has not been paid any royalties for the sales of MW2 to date - which as we know, has grossed over $1 Billion.
Added to the mix is the fact that West and Zampella were probably bristling at the news that an overall head of the COD franchise was being appointed by Activsion to oversee all the COD titles being planned. Philip Earl is his name, according to an Activision statement. Earl runs Activision's Asia Pacific region.
As IW see themselves as the principle developers of the COD series, and owning (in part) the franchise name (the title "Call of Duty" is registered not to Activision - but to Infinity Ward's Chief Exective Officers), appointing an outsider like this to head up the whole franchise probably rubbed them up the wrong way.
So, they cant just all leave. They would be sued by Activsion for breaching the terms of their non-compete contracts, which is exactly what Activision are doing to West and Zampella right now (intentions to sue were filed with the SEC yesterday).
Replacing Zampella and West are Steve Pearce (new CTO) and Steve Ackrich who will be the head of production on an interim basis.
Well, apparently, Jason West got caught discussing the possibility of the employees of the studio going with another publisher.
Although the studio is owned 100% by Activision, the staff's contracts (including the principle executives) are up for renewal in October of this year. Jason was discussing the possibilty of all of them leaving and going with another publisher. However, built into their employment contracts is a Non-Compete clause which prevents this happening. So, in effect, West breached the terms of his employment.
Why were they thinking about doing it? Because, apparently, the studio has not been paid any royalties for the sales of MW2 to date - which as we know, has grossed over $1 Billion.
Added to the mix is the fact that West and Zampella were probably bristling at the news that an overall head of the COD franchise was being appointed by Activsion to oversee all the COD titles being planned. Philip Earl is his name, according to an Activision statement. Earl runs Activision's Asia Pacific region.
As IW see themselves as the principle developers of the COD series, and owning (in part) the franchise name (the title "Call of Duty" is registered not to Activision - but to Infinity Ward's Chief Exective Officers), appointing an outsider like this to head up the whole franchise probably rubbed them up the wrong way.
So, they cant just all leave. They would be sued by Activsion for breaching the terms of their non-compete contracts, which is exactly what Activision are doing to West and Zampella right now (intentions to sue were filed with the SEC yesterday).
Replacing Zampella and West are Steve Pearce (new CTO) and Steve Ackrich who will be the head of production on an interim basis.
The following 1 user thanked AdamL8 for this useful post:
Snowhiter (03-03-2010)
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Oh thats interesting cheers buddy! I wonder what the outcome will be?
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BACKSMASHER wrote Oh that's interesting cheers buddy! I wonder what the outcome will be?
Plain and Simple,
If they go against their contracts (which apparently they did) then they will lose. I hope this doesn't turn out too bad for the 2 and maybe they can still head to a new publisher after this is all over.
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AdamL wroteBACKSMASHER wrote Oh that's interesting cheers buddy! I wonder what the outcome will be?
Plain and Simple,
If they go against their contracts (which apparently they did) then they will lose. I hope this doesn't turn out too bad for the 2 and maybe they can still head to a new publisher after this is all over.
Yh fingers crossed it isnt too bad!
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Thanks for the post and best of luck to the people going to different publishers.
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#6. Posted:
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Thats bad, or is it good. Who knows.....
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