38 Infinity Ward Employees Band to Sue Activision

[spoofedpacket]

[citation][nom]mrossco[/nom]This happens all the time. Enter EA/DICE/Trauma Studios. Who has the power? The bigger fish does.[/citation]

Not really, if a contract is clearly worded you just need to be able to afford a decent lawyer. This isn't like trying to take on big oil or tobacco.

 

[spoofedpacket]

[citation][nom]otacon72[/nom]Unless it was specifically stated in their contracts/offer letter a time frame for royalty payments these employees have no case. Not saying it's right but the contracts I sign with companies I work for are iron clad. Doesn't hurt my cousin in a corp. lawyer who looks over all my contracts. It seems like these employees worked as independent contractors of some sorts. Could be wrong.[/citation]

I would highly recommend not using a relative for this type of work. It only costs a couple of hundred dollars to get a contract reviewed and you don't want to save that and end up forever hating a family member over a mistake.

I cite the whole "don't sell cars to friends" philosophy on this matter.

 

[r4z3rh4x0r]

kriswitak :

I'm officially now in my lawn chair with the popcorn. I'll be over *there* while this thing plays out. Anyone care to join me?

I'll bring the beer.

I'll bring the 3D glasses

I'll bring hawt ladies so we can have this lawn party started

 

[r4z3rh4x0r]

kriswitak :

I'm officially now in my lawn chair with the popcorn. I'll be over *there* while this thing plays out. Anyone care to join me?

I'll bring the beer.

I'll bring the 3D glasses

I'll bring hawt ladies so we can have this lawn party started

 

[bebangs]

it's about 34 now btw. 1 unconfirmed yet.

 

[joytech22]

[citation][nom]woundeddog[/nom]kriswitak :I'm officially now in my lawn chair with the popcorn. I'll be over *there* while this thing plays out. Anyone care to join me?I'll bring the beer.I'll bring the 3D glasses[/citation]

I'll park the car.

 

[micky_lund]

[citation][nom]mavanhel[/nom]I'll bring the beer.[/citation]
wont we all 😀

 

[kathiki]

Am I the only one here that simply gets shocked at how much money developers make (including gaming software companies)?

Aren't these numbers/values in direct contradiction to the much debated problem of companies losing billions over piracy?

Think i will start once again Divine divinity 2 ego draconis... it sold at 20 euros and offered a gameplay that would last 3 times more than an overhyped title that sold at 70 Euros....

As for those guys wanting the money from activision..... read activision;s statement..... simple plain and DEFENSIVE.

 

[anamaniac]

[citation][nom]woundeddog[/nom]I'll bring the 3D glasses[citation]
I got the salted peanuts and and umbrella (for when the shit starts to fly).

 

[Guest]

I love this saga . I am currently in an MBA program and this smell of a HR/Management debacle. I would guess that it started with Activision heavy handedness and greed. They tried to stiff the leaders of IW out of royalties so Jason West and Vince Zampella started shopping around their services just in case the internal negotiations failed. Activions saw an opportunity to trump up charges against them saying they were insubordinate and were not loyal. Their goal was to make an example of them, assuming that "killing off" the rebellions leaders would solve the mounting resentment and scare the other developers into obedience. But they misguaged the other lead developers resentment and disposition. Rather than scaring them into obedience they instead infuriated them even further. Once the excedus landslide was started there was nothing to stop it. I suspect with every developer leaving IW, Activision became more dracionaina with in turn lead even more people to leave. Activision was seeing it's cash cow in jeopardy and they were willing to go to any lengths to save it but their method backfired.

Where things get great is the irony. By trying to stiff IW they in effect killed off the MW franchise. Regardless of what you thing of the quality of the game it sold a LOT of copies and raked in an excess of a billion dollars. Maybe MW3 would not be as successful but I suspect it would still make hundreds of millions. So now no more cash from MW3 release, possibly a $500 million dollar settlement to hang over the financial statemnt, lost investment in MW3 development, massively bad PR, more than likely decreased morale in other studios of Activision for their tactics, and management focused on damage control rather than guiding the company. As an investor I would be pissed and as a regular video game player I will be EXTREMELY reluctant to purchase any title made by Activision now.

 

[cagarner]

Lets hope then, atleast the money that they gain if they win will help them to start up Respawn Entertainment.

 

[Gin Fushicho]

I figured something like this was happening, why else would so many leave at once?

 

[gh0st]

Bottom line is "Greed" I think greed tore them all apart.I don't think they knew that they were making a mediocre game that would turn into such a cash cow,now everyone wants a big chunk...I'm just saying

 

[eddieroolz]

I hope these guys can milk Activision until they have nothing to give. Money corrupts everything.