Activision Slapped With Another Infinity Ward Lawsuit

[DeadlyYellow]

Activision: working to become the industry equivalent of the Monsanto Company.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

Well, confirmation of widespread disaffection at the company soon to be formally known as Infinity Ward. Judging by Activision's "redistribution" comments, I'd say this lawsuit has a good case (even though it would inevitably be crushed by Activision's Lawsuit Repellant Machine).

Again, note how Activision is specified and the lack of any mentions of Blizzard.

Because in ActivisionBlizzard (AB), Blizzard still retains its independent hierarchy so has nothing to do with this case. Vivendi as the major owner of the company (68% of shares and 5 of the ten directors of the board plus the president) put blizzard in a stand alone position while activision on top of the rest of the company developers. So unless Vivendi decides to restruture the company activision can't touch blizzard. Other scenario thou is being overlooked. What if all this comes from Vivendi itself?! In that case Blizzard is not safe either, not is activision.

 

[Starke]

In a sense, yes, it was made for free. Rather than explain, I'll give an example:

You pay someone 10 bucks to build something you can sell for 20. When you're done, and you've sold it, you've profited 10 bucks, but you have 20. You already paid the guy.

It is a little more complex than that, but that's the general idea.

So, whatever expenses Activision paid in, that money's gone. This is new money, which they can use as capital any way they want, including, as damages by losing a major court case.

you've never had an economics course, have you?

Actually, I've had multiple economics courses, accounting courses and business courses. As I said, the reality is more complex.

the money they used to fund those initial 10 bucks didn't come from nowhere either.

That's a double negative.

that's money that came from a previous project.

This is accurate. The term you're looking for here is operating capital.

however, go all the way back, and there will come a time where there wasn't a previous project.

This is also accurate. Every company has to start somewhere.

so the money had to come from somewhere. now businesses don't usually lend money from the bank.

For beginning your post with an accusation of ignorance, this comment is staggeringly so. Many companies, like Activision, did, in fact get their first operating capital from bank loans in the 80s. They don't raise capital from them now, but, the fact remains they did.

they lend money from their investors (and in return gives them stocks). however, that's not charity on the investor's behalf.

For someone who claims to understand economics this is one of the most convoluted descriptions of how stocks work. The traditional, simple, and accurate description of stocks is: A company sells shares in their future profits to investors. The company doesn't (usually) care who owns it, once they have the money, they pay out dividends based on their profits. It is fairly rare for a company to turn around and buy on their own stocks (effectively what you're describing) unless they fear a hostile takeover. When an investor sells a stock, it tends to be to a third party.

when they sell something with profit, they pay everyone who worked on the project (everyone from programmer to manager), and then split the rest among the stockholders (when the stockholders get paid depends on company to company). this is called paying out dividend.

No. It's not. You're talking about two completely unrelated things. Paying your employees, which you are legally obligated to do. And paying dividends, which you're actually not required to do. In fact, some companies don't even pay out dividends on their common stocks (though this is highly unusual). Second, you will almost never make up the cost of a stock in dividends in the short term, if ever. A stock that cost you $10 to purchase may turn out a dividend of $0.30.

so yeah, even when a company gets over a billion dollars from a game, that doesn't mean they have 500 million lying around.

They probably don't. But, that doesn't mean they don't have assets that they can be forced to liquidate by a court ruling forcing them to cough up 500 million. Which they do. I don't know how large Activision's operating fund is, but honestly, they can afford a 500 million pay out. They might not be able to afford it and keep functioning, depending on what they have to liquidate, but they can afford it.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Bobby Kotick has to defend his position in court?
Why did his company withhold such enormous profits?

http://objection.mrdictionary.net/go.php?n=3808814

 

[Litchhunter]

Okay Blizzard, while Activision is making fools of themselves, take this chance to break away....and fast.
I have goten used to being mocked for playing WoW, but I'm not sure if I can take the shame of playing a game that makes me pay 15$ a month to a joint of Blizz and Activision.

 

[clzark]

From my looking at it, still seems to me its alot of bitchy employees not understanding that the laws in the united states are this. Employee lose, Employer win. They live in an at will state, meaning unless contract states a reason must be given, tehy can be fired for no reason what so ever, and the punitive damadge amoutn is stupid high. I personally think they are alot of greedy people and hope tehy all have their carriers ruined because no one wants to higher soemone who will sue the moment they dont get their toy.

Go Activision, fuck off infanty ward and respawn.

so you're saying you'd be cool with your boss not paying you?

 

[Gaming King]

So, the people who made Modern Motherfrakking Warfare 2 want EVEN MORE MONEY? Geeze, get a life, Infinity Ward.

They actually received NO royalties for that game, so, they aren't THAT rich.

Calumon: I want some money... I get no Royalties either... and I'm King Calumon!

NONE? Damn, Activision is horrible. Goldeneye 007 may well be the last game I ever buy from them.

 

[kebab4you]

And that is what happens when you're an asshole to everyone.

Couldn't Activision get criminal charges for blackmail.

So, the people who made Modern Motherfrakking Warfare 2 want EVEN MORE MONEY? Geeze, get a life, Infinity Ward.

They actually received NO royalties for that game, so, they aren't THAT rich.

Calumon: I want some money... I get no Royalties either... and I'm King Calumon!

Exactly, IW probably got shite all money, but Activision would be swimming in cash.

No respect for Activision, in fact, I have very little respect for any publisher, they are the ones who want the cash, most probably don't even know anything about the games they PUBLISH (publishers don't make games btw to anyone who might think they do ...). Last I checked pubs are why we have an army of clones with no soul parading around in the spotlight, because they want games that are what people like, not what they think they MIGHT like.

Lol, enough rant from me

Valve is it's own publisher last time I checked, and also produce the game themselves, but ye they are probably one of the few that publish and develop themselves.

 

[Macgyvercas]

...

I don't even think Phoenix Wright could handle all these court cases...

Calumon: Objection!

Don't be facetious. Ace Attorney can handle ANYTHING.

Also, could somebody please slap Activision and tell them to stop being jerks?