Infinity Ward Respawns at Respawn - UPDATED

[jerrrry]

EA, oh how I used to love that company.
Then something happened to make me dislike it, I think.
But now I love it again.
I am so glad this is happening... just shows that people will not sit by and stay silent when others are attacked. The loyalty of the IW employees to their old bosses is touching.

That would be a very nice thought if it were the case. Somehow I feel that all the people who left IW left not entirely out of disgust or loyalty, but because they were probably offered a much better deal at Respawn. It looks like a lot of "lead" people left, who would be the people that the ex-heads of IW found most valuable and knew best. These are the people that the ex-IW heads would most want with them and likely be willing to make great offers for new positions to(especially since EA is likely throwing money at them, hence the jumping ship). Few people do things like this for moral reasons...it's typically all a monetary consideration.

 

[RheynbowDash]

Im not happy that they are working for EA, but im happy that the IW team is mostly together. Hopefully they can crank out another hit, which means happy gamers.

 

[Deadlock Radium]

Activision has really screwed the pooch on this one. Next thing they'll fire the Blizzard heads, and they'll join Respawn too.

Also which developer has the best team in the Softball League?

And the Respawn will become the epicest games manufacturer EVARR!

Ontopic: I think it's good that the old IW gets assembled again, even though it's under EA, which I like considerable amount more than Activision.

 

[AfterAscon]

Activision has really screwed the pooch on this one. Next thing they'll fire the Blizzard heads, and they'll join Respawn too.

Also which developer has the best team in the Softball League?

And the Respawn will become the epicest games manufacturer EVARR!

Ontopic: I think it's good that the old IW gets assembled again, even though it's under EA, which I like considerable amount more than Activision.

I think its only a publishing deal under EA. So they get a lot more freedom to create the games they want, rather than knock out a new COD every 2 years.

 

[Kollega]

Activision denies bonuses to West and Zampella and threatens them. West and Zampella go over to EA and pull a few important people along with themselves. Seems like a fair deal.

Karma's a ***** isn't it Activision?
Ripping apart one of your Best, and it turning Rogue, yeah. Karma's a Real *****.

And considering MW2's plot, she has a deliciously ironic sense of humor, too.

 

[Booze Zombie]

Activision has made it clear that it intends to "Modern Warfare 2 [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/100180-Infinity-Ward-Bonuses-to-be-Redistributed] bonuses owed to West, Zampella and others to Infinity Ward employees who remain with the studio, a strategy which some people have noted has a certain ring of bribery to it. It also appears somewhat legally dubious and even if the company is able to do it, will it really be enough to keep people in their chairs? I'm inclined to think that we haven't seen the last high-profile departure from Infinity Ward just yet.

That... most certainly does not sound legal, it really must be said.

Anyway, I'm glad to hear this, hopefully now these guys (and gals) can enjoy making the games they want to make.

Kotick, your Death Star appears to be crumbling...

 

[Fallen-Angel Risen-Demon]

this reminds me of soaps UGH!! I HATE SOAPS!!!

 

[Lost In The Void]

I'm reading through the Facebook link right now and it's actually very informative and interesting. I'd advise everyone here to at least take a look before flaming Activision and Bobby Kotick anymore.

Dan Amrich admits in the Facebook discussion (on a group entitled "Gamers Against Bobby Kotick and Activision", no less) that although he works for the company he doesn't always agree with everything they do. But he really does seem to be trying to get the viewpoint across to gamers that most of us simply don't want to hear. He's trying to explain his employers' actions in very reasonable discussion, and although he admits that there are some things that he can't talk about because of orders from on high, he genuinely seems to want people to understand both viewpoints. I've sided with West and Zampella through all of this, but nevertheless Dan makes a very good point in his discussion. Take a look at the link in the OP, and decide for yourselves. But don't just flame Activision without first seeing what Dan Amrich has to say.

I have to agree with this. I read the entire discussion on Facebook and I have to say, he does his part well to present reasonable arguments for Activision and their actions. Personally I never really hopped on the Bobby hating wagon, due to the fact it simply seemed like another giant flame war. Plus as a businessman, he is extremely good at what he does for the company. Will I admit MW2 wasn't as good as it was, hell yes, but seriously, there are always going to be bad games, just like there are always bad movies, and poorly written books. Plenty of people enjoy the game and so I say if they like it support it, if not, skip the purchase, its all up to the buyer in the long run.

 

[Acidwell]

I bet everyone still in iw are hoping they will be one of the only two left so they can get a massive bonus and then leave

 

[Captain Pirate]

Yay for IW! I used to prefer Activision, but after seeing what their boss says about how game making shouldn't be fun, I'm all for EA. Winning combo IMO, can't wait to see what IW do next.

 

[bjj hero]

There will be one guy, maybe the tea boy, holding out. hoping he is the last one there and getting the bonuses of both bosses all to himself.

It will make all of that collecting dry cleaning, picking up coffee, doughnuts, photocopying and sorting paperclips seem worthwhile.

 

[Danpascooch]

I like how pretty much everyone with "lead" in their title left.

Activision is fucked.

 

[Danpascooch]

There will be one guy, maybe the tea boy, holding out. hoping he is the last one there and getting the bonuses of both bosses all to himself.

It will make all of that collecting dry cleaning, picking up coffee, doughnuts, photocopying and sorting paperclips seem worthwhile.

Lol, that guys gonna get really fucking rich

 

[DTWolfwood]

I like how pretty much everyone with "lead" in their title left.

Activision is fucked.

Blizzard <.< Activision is fine.

If i were the remaining employees, id wait for the bonus then jump ship XD

 

[Danpascooch]

I wouldn't be surprised if after most of the studio leaves, Activision decides it's not worth keeping the remaining members to redistribute those bonuses as promised, I wouldn't be surprised if they do a 180 and decide it's not worth it, which would be a kick in the crotch to those who stayed. But it seems like something Activision would do, assholes that they are.

How is the lawsuit going? Is it likely that West and Zampella will get those royalties they deserve?

 

[Danpascooch]

I like how pretty much everyone with "lead" in their title left.

Activision is fucked.

Blizzard <.< Activision is fine.

If i were the remaining employees, id wait for the bonus then jump ship XD

Well yeah, the blizzard side will hold them aloft, but as far as looking at Activision as a single entity, they're fucked.

I don't mean they'll go out of business of course, just that they are being raked over the coals right now (which they deserve)

 

[Tharwen]

*Slowclap for Activision*

What? You can't say you didn't see this one coming.