MCV/DEVELOP News, events, research and jobs from the games industry
Fired Infinity Ward bosses Jason West and Vince Zampella might be back in games development sooner than you think.
Although the two are embroiled in an ugly suit-countersuit with former employer Activision, their lawyer has said the two ‘plan to have an announcement very soon’ detailing their next move.
[TIMELINE – INFINITY-GATE]
It was recently confirmed that the two were now using Hollywood talent agency the CAA to represent them
But according to attorney Robert Schwartz, their relationship with the agency came before they left IW and were trying to salvage their relationship with Activision.
Although having representation now surely can’t hurt.
Schwartz told the LA Times: "Since being fired by Activision, Jason and Vince have taken steps to regain control over their creative future."
Activision today countersued them after the pair filed a lawsuit for improper dismissal days after they were marched from the studio for ‘insubordination’.
The publisher claimed today that the two held up development of Modern Warfare 3, tried to poach staff, stole internal emails, colluded with other publishers and planned a spin off studio.
"The allegations Activision made today are false and outrageous," said Schwartz.
"Just one example is Activision’s allegation that Jason and Vince conspired to spin off Infinity Ward. Activision itself proposed spinning off Infinity Ward when, last year, it sought to renegotiate Jason and Vince’s contract and induce them to forego developing a new game in favor of doing another Modern Warfare sequel. Jason and Vince had hired the Creative Artists Agency to advise them in their negotiations with Activision, and not to breach their contract.
"The conversations with IW employees, talent agents, and others during these negotiations with Activision were conducted to see if Activision’s proposal could work, and not in disrespect of their obligations to Activision."
Perhaps it’s ironic that, if West and Zampella end up potentially running their own studio, it’s an outcome Activision’s itself had once proposed.
