[Update] Activision Claims EA Tried to Drink Its Infinity Ward Milkshake

[Space Jawa]

As far as I know, Activision doesn't own its employees, they can ride in whoever's private jet they want.

True, they can ride the private jet of whoever's willing to give them a ride, but when doing so is done for reasons that are in violation of a contract that the employees signed, then yes, there is something illegal going on.

Consider, if you will, if an NFL team had recently hired a star quarterback. Imagine if then, with a couple years left on his contract, the quarterback took up an offer to ride on the private jet belonging to the owner of a rival team to go discuss certain matters with that owner, and then started acting suspiciously in a way that made it unappealing for the original team to keep him on the field. And then imagine if that quarterback was signed to the rival team owned by the same guy who gave him a ride on his private jet.

While the ride on the private jet wasn't illegal in and of itself, don't you think that the original team might have reason to suspect that their star quarterbacks suspicious behavior might have something to do with the jet ride and the discussions that took part on the other end?

 

[Blind Sight]

Only one way to solve this...the CEOs of Activision and EA must duel to the death. The winner receives the other's assets. 'Tis the gentlemany thing to do.

I suggest 19th-century pistols at dawn on holy ground.

 

[The_ModeRazor]

GOOD PEOPLE OF THE IMPERIAL CITY!!
WELCOME... TO THE AREENAAA!!!
*crowd cheers*
LET'S MAKE THIS SIMPLE!
ACTIVISION! VERSUS! EA!
FUCK SHIT UP!!!
*two fat guys walk out into the arena and start slapping away*

 

[KeyMaster45]

Woohoo! Now these are the legal battles that I enjoy. Nothing but an all out shit-storm between two super corporations. I mean good god, the way Activision has spun things you'd swear EA and those two devs were super villains.(with EA providing the Legion of Doom headquarters) I honestly don't care who's in the right because no matter what happens I'll get to be entertained by this for at minimum another 6-14 months.

*laughs manically* Yes! Dance my puppets! Dance for my amusement!

 

[Danpascooch]

I suppose EA tried to poison the coffee of Activision executives too? Lol, this is bullshit of the highest caliber.

 

[UnravThreads]

ok im usualy the first person to back activision and say guys stop bitching about them they are running a busnis not a charrity but this is just utter bullshit. I mean seriously you fucked over your emploies so they fucked you back in my opinion Activision got what they diserved. lets face it if you have to use "insintives" to get people to work for you then you realy shouldnt be surprised when they leave you. (please excuse any misspells or if you can, fix them

Activision aren't running a business at all. What's business-like about them? They flood the market to the point where they've near-killed it (Peripheral-based music games), they constantly put out rehashed games (CoD and GH) and they ride on Blizzard's bank balance. Activision are, sadly, a major player in the gaming market, but they don't innovate and nor do they contribute in any meaningful manner. As such a big player, they have a responsibility to help the market develop. Oh, and have you seen the state of Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines? It's beyond a mess. Not to mention their offensively priced games. Their PC games retail for £35 vs the standard £30, £12 for a map-pack - It's a piss take.

Back to the topic;
In a way, I can't blame EA. Activision fight dirty, and I think EA felt they had to do the same. It's clear that Infinity Ward wasn't in a good shape, but I think the talks may have caused more trouble than they were worth. I do think EA will put up a good fight in court, however, and at the end of the day they still have Respawn under their wing so they still stand to win.

 

[Numachuka]

There are no words for this. It just...I...ugh.

A wise man once said "A picture is worth a thousand words." I can't agree more.

How many words is that worth?

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

oh screw Activision, they can burn in the manifold layers of Buddhist hell.

 

[Whateveralot]

What the...?!

I think the ex-IW employees did a great job by leaving Activisions' grip. Activision basically ruined Call of Duty for me, so I think they deserved it. Can't wait what Respawn will forge now.

Btw what's with all the food references?

 

[For.I.Am.Mad]

I knew there was another side to the story.

 

[ultimateownage]

I'm with EA on this one, because EA isn't as horrifically corrupt as Activision; they're just all idiots.
This sounds suspiciously like Activision is just trying to finish of EA, a company who was already losing money, and then buy them out and dominate the market.

 

[Truly-A-Lie]

Drainage Kotick! Drainage! EA have what developers want, so they get developers. If you have a milkshake...
I honestly don't know what else to say on this. Besides "prove it."

 

[mr_pants66]

ok so this is one of the times that amaze me as a gamer now i am someone who is not afraid to say that i love to see EA in pain, i really hate them and i love to see them have to eat from the crap troff of life but this time i am AMAZINGLY going to side with EA, or more with Jason West and Vince Zampella. but if Activision wants to claim they were all in it together then fine i will have to side with all three of them.
i have herd a lot of you saying it and i agree with you there is no crime in West and Zampella looking for a new business partner after there contract with Activision expires and i think that they will defiantly win this case against Activision but this is the question what will Activision have to pay if they lose?
will West and Zampella get $400 million in damages?
if not what do you guys think they should get in damages? should they win the case that is

 

[For.I.Am.Mad]

More proof that all the people(nerds) in the games industry with their Robin Hood complex are full of shit. Give them a better offer and they'll slit your neck.

Makes you wonder if this is or has happened anywhere else.

 

[thirion1850]

*sniff sniff* Smell that? It's called bullshit.

I reckon Activision now wants to dominate the market, so it decided to pick a brawl with EA. Sadly, this would be the most blunt and stupid way to do it, as the reputation of Activision is mostly tied directly to Kotick. Also - prove it. Also - scare tactic. Also - mistreating your employees and then watching them leave and be shocked is shoving your head up your ass too far.

EA better win this. Never thought I'd say that. :|

 

[ZephrC]

Wait, what? Even if that's all true, EA didn't sign any contracts with Activision. Trying to "poach" their employees may be a dick move, but I don't see how it could be illegal.

West and Zampella may have broken their contracts. I have my doubts, but it is at least certainly possible. I don't really see how that applies to EA though.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Want me to call the Waaaaaaahmbulance Activision?

 

[Siberian Relic]

This article's title is brilliant. That's really all I have to say.