Meritless

Legal action is quite a popular pass-time in the USA, and sometimes it is even warranted. The latest case to come about might be legitimate… then again, it might not. The two sides of the story have conflicting views on the matter.

According to the LA Times, Vince Zampella and Jason West are taking legal action against Activision, who sacked the pair recently due to “breaches of contract and insubordination”. Zampella and West have filed a lawsuit against the publisher, seeking over US$36 million in unpaid royalties, as well as the right to creative control over all Modern Warfare games and that Activision may not be allowed to release any Call of Duty games set after the Vietnam war.

Activision has dismissed the case as “meritless”.

"Activision is disappointed that Mr Zampella and Mr West have chosen to file a lawsuit, and believes their claims are meritless," Activision said in a press statement.

"Over eight years, Activision shareholders provided these executives with the capital they needed to start Infinity Ward, as well as the financial support, resources and creative independence that helped them flourish and achieve enormous professional success and personal wealth.

"In return, Activision legitimately expected them to honour their obligations to Activision, just like any other executives who hold positions of trust in the company. While the company showed enormous patience, it firmly believes that its decision was justified based on their course of conduct and actions. Activision remains committed to the Call of Duty franchise, which it owns, and will continue to produce exciting and innovative games for its millions of fans."

Rumour has it that the other Call of Duty development team, Treyarch, is currently working on a Call of Duty game set in the Vietnam war.