[subversus]

UPDATE2: an excellent in-depth piece at Eurogamer

UPDATE: now that is juicy! all bonus payments and some correspondence between execs in PDF.

There is some really juicy tidbits about the royalty breakdowns there and even dollar amounts in exhibit 655. Top 20 employees held about 75% of the royalty pool. Exact royalty payout amounts/projections etc. Really, really interesting info that most companies would never want to see the light of day. Though on the flip side, everyone in the industry knew bonuses were in those levels due to the amount being taken in. http://s3.documentcloud.org/document...exhibit655.pdf

well, at least they are juicy in my opinion (but might be boring to other people)

West and Zampella were fired in March 2010, but emails between Dave Stohl, Mike Griffith, Rob Kostich and Bobby Kotick show that the relationship had already been scarred badly nearly a year earlier. In fact, Infinity Ward's inability to produce a live gameplay demo of Modern Warfare 2 for Microsoft's E3 press briefing in 2009 may have been the spark that led to an explosion. Griffith, who used to head Activision Publishing prior to Eric Hirshberg, wrote that "[Microsoft] will go ballistic over this and the deal is seriously risked." Then, allegedly when Griffith phoned up West and Zampella about the situation, the duo hung up on the executive. CEO Bobby Kotick immediately reacted: "If they really did I would change their locks and lock them out of their building." "Is everyone ready for the big, negative PR story this is going to turn into if we kick them out?" The Activision management knew that firing West and Zampella would have huge ramifications in terms of PR and backlash from employees. There was also concern about who'd work on completing Modern Warfare 2. "We should also discuss what the plan B is going to look like," Dave Stohl wrote. He noted that Activision would be facing "a ton of risk getting the project done depending on how the team takes it." He added, "Treyarch taking it over now is also an option, but scary given the tight timeline." Stohl also acknowledges his giant fear about the backlash the entire situation would generate: "Is everyone ready for the big, negative PR story this is going to turn into if we kick them out?" He commented that it's "freaking me out a little."

can't wait for the trial to start!!!

you can read a bit more here

[Sethos]

Not able to whip up a live gameplay demo? No wonder, this was a sophisticated highly advanced game on a brand new proprietary engine that requires polish and the most delicate fine turning before you show it off to the fanbase that consists of people from high-society.

[RoboPlato]

I'm confused. I distinctly remember an MW2 gameplay demo of the snow mission from MS's 2009 E3. Were they just reluctant to do it?

[Foliorum Viridum]

But in the end there was a demo, wasn't there? The snow level.

[subversus]

I'm confused. I distinctly remember an MW2 gameplay demo of the snow mission from MS's 2009 E3. Were they just reluctant to do it?

may be it wasn't (gasp) live?

[RobotHaus]

I'm confused. I distinctly remember an MW2 gameplay demo of the snow mission from MS's 2009 E3. Were they just reluctant to do it?

I was thinking this. Maybe they mean a demo for the floor public?

[Easy_D]

I'm confused. I distinctly remember an MW2 gameplay demo of the snow mission from MS's 2009 E3. Were they just reluctant to do it?

You remember right. It was shown at E3 2009: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZUmTdeaoiQ

[Banana Kid]

Sounds like West and Zampella are kind of dicks.

I can see why a company like Activision would hate dealing with them.

[OnPoint]

may be it wasn't (gasp) live?

C'mon, game companies never do this.



Oh...

Shit.

[Aaron]

may be it wasn't (gasp) live?

Almost none of them are, so I don't know why the suits were so focused on this bullshit.

[subversus]

Almost none of them are, so I don't know why the suits were so focused on this bullshit.

MW3 was live.

[Cat Party]

Oh man, this is getting worse and worse for Activision. They're going to pay up one way or another.

[Kintaro]

Not able to whip up a live gameplay demo? No wonder, this was a sophisticated highly advanced game on a brand new proprietary engine that requires polish and the most delicate fine turning before you show it off to the fanbase that consists of people from high-society.

Ice. Cold.

[Foliorum Viridum]

MW3 was live.

For the first 5 seconds until the controller died and they switched to pre-recorded video, sure.

[injurai]

Sounds like West and Zampella are kind of dicks. I can see why a company like Activision would hate dealing with them.

It's the never ending struggle. Both parties want to have it their way. Corporate is oblivious to what would make a gret game, and designers are oblivious to what would make a strong company.

[SatelliteOfLove]

Sounds like West and Zampella are kind of dicks. I can see why a company like Activision would hate dealing with them.

A match made in heaven.

[crimzonflame]

So it was Microsoft's fault all along.

[ponpo]

You just need to prerecord a demo and then add an achievement unlocked or disconnected from Xbox live notification so everyone thinks its live. I'm on to you, developers.

[Easy_D]

Almost none of them are, so I don't know why the suits were so focused on this bullshit.

And it doesn't really matter. Unless the footage is straight up lies (Hello every Kinect demonstration after we witnessed Kudo's magnificent underside of his avatars shoe).

I mean live demos are prone to messing up, like Miyamoto's demonstration of Skyward Sword where the motion controls screwed up repeatedly.

[Vagabundo]

I want Activision to lose this one so badly.

Not that I'm a fan of IW either.

[Cat Party]

Imagine what Bungie is thinking reading stuff like this. IW produced nothing but hits for Activision, on tight timeframes. And as you may recall, IW pushed Activsion to put COD on consoles and to take COD out of WWII, not the other way around. And they ultimately delivered everything on time. And look what it got them.

[Songbird]

But in the end there was a demo, wasn't there? The snow level.

I'm confused. I distinctly remember an MW2 gameplay demo of the snow mission from MS's 2009 E3. Were they just reluctant to do it?

"In the interest of time..."

Was that pre-recorded or played live?

[Foliorum Viridum]

You just need to prerecord a demo and then add an achievement unlocked or disconnected from Xbox live notification so everyone thinks its live. I'm on to you, developers.

I love the laugh that the IW PR guy did when the joypad died for the MW3 presentation.

You could just see his head bobbing as they zoomed into the screen, hahaha.

And some people called it a "controversy" and asked if the demo was "staged". Made my head fucking hurt people even considered for a second that the demo was live :\ I remember one article in the MW3 vs BF3 thread said they compared the joypad actions to the on screen action and concluded it wasn't really being played.

NO FUCKING SHIT. I hope they made that up because if anyone had to "investigate" that to conclude it was a video my faith in mankind is lost.

[Psycho Powaa]

Imagine what Bungie is thinking reading stuff like this. IW produced nothing but hits for Activision, on tight timeframes. And as you may recall, IW pushed Activsion to put COD on consoles and to take COD out of WWII, not the other way around. And they ultimately delivered everything on time. And look what it got them.

West/Zampella always wanted to go console.

[JaseC]

Not able to whip up a live gameplay demo? No wonder, this was a sophisticated highly advanced game on a brand new proprietary engine that requires polish and the most delicate fine turning before you show it off to the fanbase that consists of people from high-society.

It's particularly strange because the game would've been ~18 months into development by E3 '09.

[Mr. B Natural]

"In the interest of time..." Was that pre-recorded or played live?

That could have been done live. Just swap controllers, switch inputs (use "in the interest of time..." as a transition)...done.

But when the controller died...well, they swapped to input 3, the prerecorded film.

[subversus]

Imagine what Bungie is thinking reading stuff like this.

they think: "wow, what a bunch of unsubordinate dicks!"

[Neuromancer]

Oh man, this is getting worse and worse for Activision. They're going to pay up one way or another.

I don't think this piece of news makes them look bad, and certainly I can't see it having much bearing on the case.

[Aaron]

That could have been done live. Just swap controllers, switch inputs (use "in the interest of time..." as a transition)...done. But when the controller died...well, they swapped to input 3, the prerecorded film.

Under a pressure situation like that, you're not going to waste time trying to get it to work if it fails. You can't just stand around while investors are watching. You go to the tape.

[Kinyou]

may be it wasn't (gasp) live?

What would be the use of that? It's not like they showed some absolute amazing graphics.

Also I still think that Activision made a huge mistake by kicking their moneymakers out. Some time in the future the star of Cod will sink and they will need another Call of Duty 4 to revive it.

[Woorloog]

What would be the use of that? It's not like they showed some absolute amazing graphics. Also I still think that Activision made a huge mistake by kicking their moneymakers out. Some time in the future the star of Cod will sink and they will need another Call of Duty 4 to revive it.

Nah, Acti will ditch COD and replace it with Bungie's Destiny. Calling it.

EDIT though i might be wrong of course, Call of Duty is still doing so well.

[Foliorum Viridum]

I don't see why demos have to be live. As long as the video reflects real gameplay, who the hell cares. I don't want the chance some PR person is going to fuck up because of nerves, personally.

[Haethos]

Some time in the future the star of Cod will sink

What makes you think this? That's like saying people will get tired of Madden!

[OldJadedGamer]

With all these internal problems it makes more sense now on why the quality of MW2 suffered so much.

[Kinyou]

Nah, Acti will ditch COD and replace it with Bungie's Destiny. Calling it. EDIT though i might be wrong of course, Call of Duty is still doing so well.

But that's a MMO. I don't want a MMO :(

[Foliorum Viridum]

With all these internal problems it makes more sense now on why the quality of MW2 suffered so much.

Ha, I always thought it was amazing that such a great product came out of it myself!

I think a lot of the edge that was lost in MW3 is due to these guys leaving. Clearly they just made what they wanted to and the game prospered because of it.

[wrowa]

Almost none of them are, so I don't know why the suits were so focused on this bullshit.

If the live demo was part of a deal with Microsoft -- and apparently it was -- then there's reason enough for the "suits" to act. If on top of that the executives of the development studio aren't willing to cooperate, you have the foundation for a big explosion. And, to be honest, as much as I dislike the current AAA model of the Industry, I can see why Activusion acted like that. If you spend 10 millions of dollars into a game and marketing, you can't risk that the developers do their own thing and might potentially harm the project. If you as the developer of a project want complete control over the project, you quite simply can't develop a publisher-funded AAA game. You have to settle for something smaller then.

[Cat Party]

I don't think this piece of news makes them look bad, and certainly I can't see it having much bearing on the case.

The absolute worst thing to have in an employment lawsuit is conflicting stories from the employer for why someone was terminated. The official line from Activision is that West and Zampella were fired for talking to EA. But we know that was bullshit. They were fired because Activision wanted them gone for whatever reason they could concoct. It is HR 101 that you cannot have conflicting reasons for a termination in your files.

[Woorloog]

But that's a MMO. I don't want a MMO :(

Is it? Or is it just mostly an online game with persistent elements and strong meta-game?
We don't know enough about it to make a real judgement about it yet.

[wrowa]

What makes you think this? That's like saying people will get tired of Madden!

Remember how big Guitar Hero was several years ago?

[Pie and Beans]

Yep, the more tidbits that flow out, the more likely it is Activision will lose the case. Its a bit more complex than 'motive', but thats what all the stuff is boiling down to that Bobby and co wanted rid of West and Zampella by any means possible, dirty or otherwise.

God I hope Activision dont offer some insane settlement and we hopefully get to watch even more dirty laundry pour out of this fucking gorgeous gash laying bare so much bullshit of the industry.

[Neuromancer]

The absolute worst thing to have in an employment lawsuit is conflicting stories from the employer for why someone was terminated. The official line from Activision is that West and Zampella were fired for talking to EA. But we know that was bullshit. They were fired because Activision wanted them gone for whatever reason they could concoct. It is HR 101 that you cannot have conflicting reasons for a termination in your files.

I am pretty sure they were fired for insubordination among other things.

Edit:

'On March 1, 2010, Activision amended its report with the Securities and Exchange Commission to add notification that two senior employees of Infinity Ward were being fired due to "breaches of contract and insubordination".'

Source: Wikipedia (I'll try to get a better source)

Edit: here's a better source

http://www.develop-online.net/news/4...m-grows-to-1bn

[Aaron]

If the live demo was part of a deal with Microsoft -- and apparently it was -- then there's reason enough for the "suits" to act. If on top of that the executives of the development studio aren't willing to cooperate, you have the foundation for a big explosion. And, to be honest, as much as I dislike the current AAA model of the Industry, I can see why Activusion acted like that. If you spend 10 millions of dollars into a game and marketing, you can't risk that the developers do their own thing and might potentially harm the project. If you as the developer of a project want complete control over the project, you quite simply can't develop a publisher-funded AAA game. You have to settle for something smaller then.

The suits are the one who made the deal. Did they ask if a live demo was feasible for Infinity Ward while they're rushing to get MW2 done on time? Probably not. Obviously there are compromises working with a publisher on a big game like that, but it seems like West and Zempella thought they had earned enough pull with the insane success of COD4 to be free of at least some of that bullshit. Clearly they thought wrong.

[Kinyou]

What makes you think this? That's like saying people will get tired of Madden!

I just think that they'll have more and more trouble to justify a yearly release. Also, Madden is just "the" football game, there's not really something else you could buy. Call Of Duty has lots of competition.

Is it? Or is it just mostly an online game with persistent elements and strong meta-game? We don't know enough about it to make a real judgement about it yet.

True.

[jbug617]

I remember that Patrick Klepek had mentioned that the Gears of War 2 demo had crashed during the conference but they had a back up plan to switch the video once it did.

[OldJadedGamer]

Ha, I always thought it was amazing that such a great product came out of it myself! I think a lot of the edge that was lost in MW3 is due to these guys leaving. Clearly they just made what they wanted to and the game prospered because of it.

MW2 was a huge let down compared to COD4. This explains why. MW2 plays like every feature was added by a bunch of kids sitting in a focus group room.

[Massa]

I don't see why demos have to be live. As long as the video reflects real gameplay, who the hell cares. I don't want the chance some PR person is going to fuck up because of nerves, personally.

Kinect/Move/Wii/Vita demos kind of make sense to do them live, as you want to demonstrate the player as well as the screen. But traditional games? Fuck no, pre-record that shit.

I felt really bad for the Shadow Complex guys on their demo. At least it's fun to hear stories like the one about Resistance 2.

[GuitarAtomik]

Does it really matter if a gameplay demo is live? I mean I get it when we're talking about motion control games but as long as it's not pre-rendered footage or something I don't have a problem with it. Plus it annoys the shit out of me when the cameras at the conferences cut to the guy playing. I don't give a crap about the dude, show me the gameplay!

EDIT: My thoughts were beat lol

[FieryBalrog]

The absolute worst thing to have in an employment lawsuit is conflicting stories from the employer for why someone was terminated. The official line from Activision is that West and Zampella were fired for talking to EA. But we know that was bullshit. They were fired because Activision wanted them gone for whatever reason they could concoct. It is HR 101 that you cannot have conflicting reasons for a termination in your files.

They were fired for insubordination officially, not specifically "talking to EA" though that may have been part of it.

[dark10x]

MW2 was a huge let down compared to COD4. This explains why. MW2 plays like every feature was added by a bunch of kids sitting in a focus group room.

Huh, interesting. I actually thought the campaign itself was much better than CoD4 all around.