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Former Infinity Ward Bosses Sign With EA

Posted by Soulskill on from the crossing-enemy-lines dept.

BanjoTed writes "MCV has revealed that Jason West and Vince Zampella – the former bosses of Modern Warfare developer Infinity Ward – have opened a new studio and signed a publishing deal with Activision's fierce rival EA. The news comes amidst the backdrop of the increasingly bitter legal dispute between the pair and the owners of their former studio. It's the most astonishing development yet in what is inevitably going to end up as a very bloody saga." Their new studio is called Respawn Entertainment. West and Zampella spoke about the situation in an interview with Eurogamer.

18 of 80 comments (clear)

  1. You slave away at this for years by BadAnalogyGuy · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I've seen fire and I've seen rain. But the amount of work game programmers put in, and for such meager rewards in most cases, makes me raise a pint or 4 to them.

    Publishing houses are the same as record companies. Suck promising little guys in, work them to death, and make tons of money off the talent. Ask Ziggy Gold Dust how much trickles down to the ones doing the grunt work. How many years of youth are lost to endless deathmarches?

    Here's to you, guys.

    1. Re:You slave away at this for years by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      +1
      I always wanted to be a game developer. The sad truth is, after seeing how many of them come out with a degree and don't even end up in work, and those who do get a job but makes a meager earning, I decided on software engineering instead. I could work in the games industry, but I doubt I would, the margins are just too low. My hat goes off to those guys that do.

    2. Re:You slave away at this for years by Norfair · · Score: 2, Insightful

      On the other hand, we may never see MW3

      Not a bad thing, as far I'm concerned. Good games don't need endless (often mediocre) sequels.

    3. Re:You slave away at this for years by WrongSizeGlass · · Score: 5, Funny

      Look, can you explain it in the form of an analogy featuring drunken cheerleaders? Also, expand on the sucking.

      OK, I'll try ...

      Two drunk cheerleaders are fixing their car ...
      Suzy: Gee, Tiffany, the vacuum leak in your fuel injectors really sucks!
      Tiffany: Not enough or we wouldn't be stranded, Suz!
      [giggles]
      Suzy: Why don't you trade in this Activision car for one from EA, Tiff?
      Tiffany: I would, but the EA version is just gonna be the same thing, only different.
      Suzy:: You mean like a clone?
      Tiffany: Worse, Suzy, like a sequel.
      Suzy: Ew, that sucks.
      Tiffany: Exactly.
      Suzy:: So what are you gonna do?
      Tiffany: I'm gonna keep using this one until something original comes out.
      Suzy: That could take forever, Tiff!
      Tiffany: I know, Suz, and that really sucks.
      Suzy:: Not as much as your vacuum leak!
      Tiffany: If only, Suzy. If only.
      [giggles]

    4. Re:You slave away at this for years by patm1987 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      I don't consider myself the best programmer, but I graduated last May and by September had a decent job as a game developer at a fairly decent pay. Don't let what other people tell you get you down (I sat through a lot of programmers telling me that it was a joke career path, but it's just the right combination of math, physics, and code to keep me excited even when I have to put in the long hours).

      --
      This signature is pure win!
    5. Re:You slave away at this for years by deniable · · Score: 4, Insightful

      On the other hand, we may never see MW3

      Not a bad thing, as far I'm concerned. Good games don't need endless (often mediocre) sequels.

      They went to EA.

    6. Re:You slave away at this for years by FlyingBishop · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I expect it will be a lot like when Bertolt Brecht fled the United States for the USSR. As a socialist, he had naturally run afoul of the House Un-American Activities committee.

      Now what's curious is that in Soviet Russia, only one style of theatre was allowed - Soviet Realism, which was very straight-laced simple stuff, and of course always portrayed the Communists in a good light. But the interesting thing is that not only did Brecht get away with a very heightened and unrealistic style (his trademark "Epic Theatre") but he was able to make plays overtly critical of the regime. His blacklisting by the Americans gave him essentially unassailable credentials as a communist visionary.

    7. Re:You slave away at this for years by Hatta · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I sat through a lot of programmers telling me that it was a joke career path....I have to put in the long hours

      So, they were right? Youthful exuberance might keep you going today, but eventually you're really going to want that 40 hour week.

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      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  2. If Activision doesn't want talented people... by Mabbo · · Score: 3, Interesting

    ... then EA will gladly pick them up. Both are mega corporations who've forgotten what 'fun' and 'creative' mean, and both are busy trying to scrape every last penny out of consumers that they can. That said, if EA is willing to back up two very creative guys who can come up with games like COD, then I'm all for that. In 3 years, we may see something pretty amazing, or we may find out the Infinity Ward consisted of more than just two guys.

    1. Re:If Activision doesn't want talented people... by bluesatin · · Score: 2, Interesting

      EA has been getting better recently, with titles like Mirror's Edge.

      The problem being that after a moment of genius, they relapse, meaning they'll probably develop a 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc.; bleeding the series dry.

    2. Re:If Activision doesn't want talented people... by FlyingBishop · · Score: 5, Funny

      EA has just been getting large enough that no amount of incompetence can stop them from occasionally producing a good game.

    3. Re:If Activision doesn't want talented people... by bluesatin · · Score: 3, Funny

      A million monkeys, with a million typewriters and all that; you may have a point.

    4. Re:If Activision doesn't want talented people... by Hatta · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That said, if EA is willing to back up two very creative guys who can come up with games like COD

      How creative was that really? Medal of Honor did the dramatic war sim first, and it was at least as good. I never understood why CoD got all the attention.

      --
      Give me Classic Slashdot or give me death!
  3. Boss fight! by Vintermann · · Score: 4, Funny

    *Cue special music*

    Boss fight!!!

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    xkcd is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.
  4. Re:Thank god for EA by the_fat_kid · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ok, you're trolling and I have mod points.
    But I just had to reply.

    The Sims 3 Crackhouse edition?
    I would spend my hard earned $$ on that title.
    Modern Warfare 9? no. Rehashed sports game 2011? no. Sims Crackhouse? Yes please.

    --
    -- Sig under construction...
  5. Re:Thank god for EA by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Only if it is mature rated and I can make the bitches fuck dogs for crack. That would be fun.

  6. Not again. by admica · · Score: 3, Funny

    All I know is I'm not buying the next Call of Duty until I know it's not just another xbox port. Fool me once, shame on .. uh.. fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again.

  7. My head is spinning... by PingSpike · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm really confused now. Which group owns the rights to the name "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare"?

    Does the other group own the rights to the name "Modern Duty: Call of Warfare"?

    And which one is the one I gotta have right now!?