Activision Suspects Ex-Infinity Ward Bosses of Shopping Modern Warfare to EA

Yep, more fallout from the Infinity Ward troubles earlier this week.

It seems Activision sent out an internal memo asking for any evidence that ex-studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella were secretly looking for a suitor outside the company for another Modern Warfare game.

Time for bullet points! Selections from the memo come courtesy G4TV.com and will magically appear after the jump.

• “Documents regarding past, current or future IW projects, including but not limited to any and all businesses analyses of future projects (e.g. Modern Warfare 3)”

• “Documents regarding any potential ‘spin out’ of IW, including but not limited to any communications with IW employees, West or Zampella regarding forming a new studio independent of Activision”

• “Documents regarding West and Zampella’s communications with Activision’s competitors, including but not limited to Electronic Arts”

Also included in the document is a statement by Activision, made prior to this lawsuit’s filing.

“The Dispute involves West and Zampella’s management of IW, as well as the development and marketing of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (“MW2“), and potential subsequent games developed by IW. Activision believes that it has done nothing wrong and intends to vigorously defend any claims asserted by West and Zampella.”

For those so inclined, I’ve included the legal documents from the attorneys for West and Zampella (O’Melveny & Myers LLP), via IGN.

This is the sort of PR nightmare that reeks of a settlement coming six months down the road. I’d be wholly surprised if this bombshell goes to court, but just in case, we’ll be paying close attention to more related news coming out of this story.

[Via: G4TV.com and IGN]

West & Zampella’s Legal Docs:

Tags: Activision Electronic Arts Infinity Ward IW-Gate Jason West lawsuit Vince Zampella