Recently fired Infinity Ward founders Vince Zampella and Jason West are suing Activision for unpaid royalties.
According to a press release explaining the case, Activision was scheduled to pay the two “substantial royalty payments,” but were let go before it could happen.
“We were shocked by Activision’s decision to terminate our contract,” said West. “We poured our heart and soul into that company, building not only a world class development studio, but assembling a team we’ve been proud to work with for nearly a decade. We think the work we’ve done speaks for itself.”
Zampella added, “After all we have given to Activision, we shouldn’t have to sue to get paid.”
“Instead of thanking, lauding, or just plain paying Jason and Vince for giving Activision the most successful entertainment product ever offered to the public, last month Activision hired lawyers to conduct a pretextual ‘investigation’ into unstated and unsubstantiated charges of ‘insubordination’ and ‘breach of fiduciary duty,’ which then became the grounds for their termination on Monday, March 1st,” said attorney Robert Schwartz.
What’s more, besides demanding the royalty payments, Zampella and West are seeking to regain the rights to the Modern Warfare brand, which they had before being let go, in the suit.
Ladies and gentlemen, get some popcorn and soda, we’re in for some high drama.
Ohhh exciting. I hope the two get Modern Warfare back. I want Modern Warfare 3. All good series come in Tri’s.