Activision counter-sues West and Zampella

According to the Los Angeles Times, publisher Activision is suing ousted Infinity Ward bosses Vince Zampella and Jason West, accusing the pair of attempting to hijack Activision’s assets for personal gain.

The LA Times highlighted the following from Activision’s 23-page complaint:

“West and Zampella’s misdeeds formed an unlawful pattern and practice of conduct that was designed to steal the [Infinity Ward] studio, which is one of Activision’s most valuable assets – at the expense of Activision and its shareholders and for their own personal financial gain.”

The complaint adds that Zampella and West went “on a secret trip by private jet to Northern California, arranged by their Hollywood agent, to meet with the most senior executives of Activision’s closest competitor”.

The LA Times also speculates that the meeting was with Activision’s publishing rival EA.

However, the attorney presenting Zampella and West, Robert M. Schwartz, has responded to these allegations, calling them “false and outrageous”.

“Activision’s inaccurate and misguided allegations lose sight of the reality here: None of the false claims of insubordination or breach of duties had any negative affect on Activision – none. Modern Warfare 2 has been the world’s most successful video game. And none of this changes the fact that Jason and Vince would still be at Infinity Ward developing new games except that Activision kicked them out. This is just an Activision tactic to avoid paying Jason and Vince and everyone else at Infinity Ward the millions of dollars they all earned and that Activision owes them,” read a statement from Schwartz.

He added: “Since being fired by Activision, Jason and Vince have taken steps to regain control over their creative future and plan to have an announcement very soon.”