West, Zampella fired from Infinity Ward... move on to form new dev studio w/ EA

[Stoney Mason]

The market will determine the health or success of any franchise long term which is why overly speculating on any one franchise is a fool's errand. As long as IW makes good games. That control like they do. Have the action they do. And the multiplayer they do with the frame rate they have. They will sell. If they stop doing that, the franchise will start selling significantly less. This process isn't any different than any other big franchise whether its Halo, Gears of Wars, Ghost Recon, etc.

I agree that most average people don't know the difference between IW and Treyarch (although the IW games have all sold better than the Treyarch games so there is an effect) but that is the same with all franchises. Most average people don't know devs at all. Just like they don't know directors of movies. All franchises are built on word of mouth and pleasing consumers (along with some advertising) If they do that they continue to sell. If they don't they start to decline over time.

[maxy]

This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for CoD and opens the way for MoH/Battlefield to regain the FPS crown.

Hmm
Maybe if next COD turns to be Rogue Warrior...
COD has an army of fanatics that play nothing except that,their gaming budget=60$ per year.

No other game can kill COD or Halo or Mario...those games can only be killed from inside and that would have to be a really bad bad bad bad game,but even then userbase will expect "return of the king"

[ManaByte]

This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for CoD and opens the way for MoH/Battlefield to regain the FPS crown.

Hmm
Maybe if next COD turns to be Rogue Warrior...
COD has an army of fanatics that play nothing except that,their gaming budget=60$ per year.

No other game can kill COD or Halo or Mario...those games can only be killed from inside and that would have to be a really bad bad bad bad game,but even then userbase will expect "return of the king"

In 2005 if you told someone that Call of Duty 4 would be more popular than Halo 3 they would've laughed at you.

[Stoney Mason]

Stoney is SRS BZNS™. Always.

Fixed.
 

™ is my new thing.

[AdmiralViscen]

This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for CoD and opens the way for MoH/Battlefield to regain the FPS crown.

Hmm
Maybe if next COD turns to be Rogue Warrior...
COD has an army of fanatics that play nothing except that,their gaming budget=60$ per year.

No other game can kill COD or Halo or Mario...those games can only be killed from inside and that would have to be a really bad bad bad bad game,but even then userbase will expect "return of the king"

In 2005 if you told someone that Call of Duty 4 would be more popular than Halo 3 they would've laughed at you.

Halo 3: #1 most played XBL game of 2007, 2008, and 2009

[cool breeze]

This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for CoD and opens the way for MoH/Battlefield to regain the FPS crown.

Hmm
Maybe if next COD turns to be Rogue Warrior...
COD has an army of fanatics that play nothing except that,their gaming budget=60$ per year.

No other game can kill COD or Halo or Mario...those games can only be killed from inside and that would have to be a really bad bad bad bad game,but even then userbase will expect "return of the king"

In 2005 if you told someone that Call of Duty 4 would be more popular than Halo 3 they would've laughed at you.

In 2005 console gamers were playing real a real Call of Duty game for the first time, and iirc, CoD2 did quite well as a 360 launch game.  Both CoD1, the expansion, and CoD2 were popular online.  Not to mention that in 2005 people probably didn't know about CoD3 by treyarch.  And even if they did, they wouldn't have known it would be a modern day shooter.

These hypothetical situations are killing me inside.

[maxy]

This pretty much puts the nail in the coffin for CoD and opens the way for MoH/Battlefield to regain the FPS crown.

Hmm
Maybe if next COD turns to be Rogue Warrior...
COD has an army of fanatics that play nothing except that,their gaming budget=60$ per year.

No other game can kill COD or Halo or Mario...those games can only be killed from inside and that would have to be a really bad bad bad bad game,but even then userbase will expect "return of the king"

In 2005 if you told someone that Call of Duty 4 would be more popular than Halo 3 they would've laughed at you.

Well in 2005 if you told someone that in 2010 360 will be ahead of PS3 in Europe...well,you get the picture...things change

Why COD exploded?
My theory...people where getting tired of WW2 and COD did "right place,right time,right thing"

Today the market is flooded with "modern warfare" shooters,much much harder to "lift off".

And there is one other thing...60fps,because of that COD is the shooter with fastest control response(see Stoney thread),people see(feel) that,nobody will count pixels,effects,etc...but "man,this game feels so smooth" is priceless
Not to mention the budget($200 million rumored)...
 

[archie4208]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27482/Analysis_Infinity_Wards_DoubleEdged_Sword.php

Analysis: Infinity Ward's Double-Edged Sword?

Every developer and every studio aims to be as globally successful as possible. With record-breaking hit titles comes acclaim, affluence, and often, special treatment from publishers in the form of favorable contracts.

For creating Grand Theft Auto franchise hits for Take-Two, Rockstar Games' top brass were able to negotiate a nearly unprecedented profit-sharing deal. Halo house Bungie earned its independence while still enjoying the benefits of a close relationship with Microsoft.

And Infinity Ward, creator of the multi-billion-dollar Modern Warfare branch in Activision's Call of Duty franchise, gained the ability to develop a new IP when it signed its newest contract with the publisher in 2008.

But amid this week's apparent standoff between Infinity Ward and Activision -- one that multiple sources confirm has seen the ouster of the studio's co-founders -- the publisher is accusing the studio of breaching that contract.

Activision confirmed via an SEC filing that its allegations of "insubordination" and breach of contract will likely lead to litigation. All of the tension and drama today raises one question: Can making a record-breaking franchise become a double-edged sword?

Only top brass at Infinity Ward and Activision are privy to the facts and particulars of the contract between them. But numerous sources close to the situation have told Gamasutra there's been tension between ousted Infinity Ward co-founders Jason West and Vince Zampella and Activision leadership for some months now.

The pair hasn't gained a reputation for being easy to work with -- and some sources have told us that they first fell out of favor with bombastic Activision CEO Bobby Kotick when they refused to allow Activision to check up on Modern Warfare 2 milestones.

Modern Warfare 2 broke retail records, and a third installment could perform even better. With its music genre declining, sources say Activision is eager to have Infinity Ward start on Modern Warfare 3. Infinity Ward, on the other hand, would rather first finish the new IP its contract allows.

Numerous sources with knowledge of the situation have speculated to Gamasutra that the contract dictates that only Infinity Ward may make games in the Modern Warfare arm of the Call of Duty franchise (other studios, like Activision's Treyarch, may develop Call of Duty titles, of course).

That means Activision can't put another studio to work on the the third installment -- sources say the choice would be newly-founded Sledgehammer Games -- any more than it can force Infinity Ward to work on it now.

Another source suggests that West and Zampella could have tried to demand a larger share of profits to begin Modern Warfare 3 on Activision's schedule instead of their own -- and that it was their aims to re-negotiate or add to the current contract that prompted Activision's ire.

Some media reports noting that Infinity Ward's royalties remain unpaid incorrectly tie this fact to today's situation: Sources confirm Activision routinely pays royalties at the end of the next quarter after which they were earned, which will begin next month.

The major issue is that Activision's hands are tied by that contract, sources tell us -- and it may be the root of the "insubordination" allegation against Infinity Ward's stewardship.

Activision has a history of using legal muscle to get the better end of its agreements, as it did with its Brutal Legend spat with EA and the DJ Hero battle that caught Scratch developer 7 Studios in the crossfire.

The company also never hesitates to treat games as a business -- for example, now that Guitar Hero is no longer the cash cow it once was, it closed Red Octane and made cuts at Neversoft, despite the way those studios have performed for Activision in the past.

Another source with knowledge of the situation tells Gamasutra that although Infinity Ward is only about 75 developers strong, Activision brass demanded layoffs at the studio anticipating a refusal -- which they received, potentially opening the door for Activision to use that refusal as a way to launch a breach suit that would help it escape its contract.

Certainly, rumors and speculation will run rampant all over the dramatic exit of West and Zampella, and all eyes are watching the situation closely for the real facts to emerge.

But it makes clear one unfortunate downside to success: The game industry is a business, and when success is high, the stakes get higher. A sweetheart contract with a publisher might appear to be the ultimate reward -- but it may also turn out to be an ultimate weapon.

Damn.  Kotick is one ruthless motherfucker.

[Stoney Mason]

Interesting read. Has the hint of truth about it regarding all sides.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Now Sledgehammer Games can "start" making Modern Warfare 3.

[ManaByte]

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/activision-publishing-reveals-new-plans-for-call-of-dutyr-franchise-86012812.html

SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Activision Publishing, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced new strategic plans for the Call of Duty® franchise, one of the best-selling video game franchises of all time.

The plans include the formation of a dedicated business unit that will bring together its various new brand initiatives with focused, dedicated resources around the world. The company intends to expand the Call of Duty brand with the same focus seen in its Blizzard® Entertainment business unit. This will include a focus on high-margin digital online content and further the brand as the leading action entertainment franchise in new geographies, new genres and with new digital business models.

"2010 will be another important year for the Call of Duty franchise," stated Mike Griffith, President and CEO of Activision Publishing.  "In addition to continued catalog sales, new downloadable content from Infinity Ward and a new Call of Duty release, we are excited about the opportunity to bring the franchise to new geographies, genres and players."

The company expects to release a new Call of Duty game from Treyarch this fall.  In addition, Infinity Ward is in development on the first two downloadable map packs for Modern Warfare® 2 for release in 2010. 

The company is also for the first time announcing that a new game in the Call of Duty series is expected to be released in 2011 and that Sledgehammer Games, a newly formed, wholly owned studio, is in development on a Call of Duty game that will extend the franchise into the action-adventure genre. Sledgehammer is helmed by industry veterans Glen A. Schofield and Michael Condrey.  Prior to joining Activision Publishing, Schofield was the Executive Producer of the award-winning game, Dead Space and Michael Condrey was the Sr. Development Director on the game. The Dead Space franchise has won more than 80 industry awards worldwide including the prestigious A.I.A.S. Action Game of the Year and two B.A.F.T.A.S.

The Call of Duty business unit will be led by Philip Earl, who currently runs Activision Publishing’s Asia Pacific region and previously served in senior executive positions with Procter & Gamble and Nestle. Activision Publishing veterans Steve Pearce, chief technology officer and Steve Ackrich, head of production, will lead Infinity Ward on an interim basis.  Jason West and Vince Zampella are no longer with Infinity Ward.

Lastly, Activision Publishing announced that the company is in discussions with a select number of partners to bring the franchise to Asia, one of the fastest growing regions for online multiplayer games in the world.

[The Fake Shemp]

Jesus. Activision is like a parody at this point.

[Great Rumbler]

A Call of Duty action-adventure game? Wut? 

[demi]

Advance Wars: Call of Duty

[The Fake Shemp]

From the looks of that press release, it sounds like we're going to get three Call of Duty games within one year - maybe more digital download stuff (subscription model?) on top of that. Totally ridiculous.

Oh well, the franchise had a good run. Unless Treyarch knocks the next one out of the ballpark, I'll probably be sticking with DICE and existing Call of Duty titles for my fragging fix.

Still, kind of surprised Activision would let it go down like this. I give it about three years until all these people are fired, after Call of Duty: Kart Racing tanks and the series is in the shitter. Because milking a series dry has always worked for them in the past!

[The Fake Shemp]

Also, I like reading the Internet posts where people are like, "I'm totally going to boycott Activision... except Blizzard products."

[maxy]

COD RTS

COD RPG  

Do it Activision,millions will buy

[Howard Alan Treesong]

COD MMOFPS

[ManaByte]

From the looks of that press release, it sounds like we're going to get three Call of Duty games within one year - maybe more digital download stuff (subscription model?) on top of that. Totally ridiculous.

Oh well, the franchise had a good run. Unless Treyarch knocks the next one out of the ballpark, I'll probably be sticking with DICE and existing Call of Duty titles for my fragging fix.

Still, kind of surprised Activision would let it go down like this. I give it about three years until all these people are fired, after Call of Duty: Kart Racing tanks and the series is in the shitter. Because milking a series dry has always worked for them in the past!

I don't see anything about three in one year.

IW's map pack is this year, but that's just DLC.
Treyarch's is 2010
Sledgehammer's is 2011

[chronovore]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27482/Analysis_Infinity_Wards_DoubleEdged_Sword.php

Analysis: Infinity Ward's Double-Edged Sword?

Another source with knowledge of the situation tells Gamasutra that although Infinity Ward is only about 75 developers strong, Activision brass demanded layoffs at the studio anticipating a refusal -- which they received, potentially opening the door for Activision to use that refusal as a way to launch a breach suit that would help it escape its contract.

Damn.  Kotick is one ruthless motherfucker.

Wow. "General, you have done an excellent job in our war against the enemy. Now as we consider our next strategic step in the battle, please put a portion of your army to death."

"I refuse."

"'Refuse'? WHAT IS THIS INSUBORDINATION?!"

[Stoney Mason]

I'll buy or not buy based on how they turn out although I'm not overly a fan of the non-IW COD games. Sledgehammer is a completely unknown quantity so I have no special attachment or dedication to their games unless it turns out they make good games.

Shitty way to treat a good dev though.

[brawndolicious]

Do you think Activision could kill World of Warcraft next?

[Himu]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

[pilonv1]

Do you think Activision could kill World of Warcraft next?

They have been, it's barely even an MMO anymore. It's Dungeon Finder of Warcraft

[Don Flamenco]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

the relationship is obviously beneficial to them or else they wouldn't have done the merger to begin with.  Blizzard isn't under Activision's control, as far as I know.

but of course, forumites think the game industry runs on emotions and that the honorable thing would be for Blizzard to split from Activision on principle...

[maxy]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/27482/Analysis_Infinity_Wards_DoubleEdged_Sword.php

Analysis: Infinity Ward's Double-Edged Sword?

Another source with knowledge of the situation tells Gamasutra that although Infinity Ward is only about 75 developers strong, Activision brass demanded layoffs at the studio anticipating a refusal -- which they received, potentially opening the door for Activision to use that refusal as a way to launch a breach suit that would help it escape its contract.

Damn.  Kotick is one ruthless motherfucker.

Wow. "General, you have done an excellent job in our war against the enemy. Now as we consider our next strategic step in the battle, please put a portion of your army to death."

"I refuse."

"'Refuse'? WHAT IS THIS INSUBORDINATION?!"

*German accent

Orders are Orders.Orders must be obeyed at any cost.

[Himu]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

the relationship is obviously beneficial to them or else they wouldn't have done the merger to begin with.  Blizzard isn't under Activision's control, as far as I know.

but of course, forumites think the game industry runs on emotions and that the honorable thing would be for Blizzard to split from Activision on principle...

So Activision has no control over them? Good.

[Don Flamenco]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

but of course, forumites think the game industry runs on emotions and that the honorable thing would be for Blizzard to split from Activision on principle...

Well, Japanese developers are the only ones who run on the honor system. I mean they have the samurai code and we don't.

Maybe it's on a WRPG good and evil scale. When a company does something like this, everyone immediately assumes that the situation is totally black and white and that the big evil Bobby Kotick is 100% wrong and that the clean pure Infinity Ward guys are 100% right.  Bobby Kotick chose the option at the bottom that was in red letters.

then come the fair weather calls for boycotts and in a year, most people won't care, aside from a few guys who stuck to their guns.  but the fact that they stuck to their guns seems strange and crazy to the normals who think action-adventure CoD looks alright.  Their tiny yelps will be ridicule-fodder on Starcraft 2's launch day or WoW's next update.

[Brehvolution]

Kotick has to be a republican.

[maxy]

I think that smart people know that nothing is black and white in life.But that doesn't mean that we can't have fun...

[Himu]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

but of course, forumites think the game industry runs on emotions and that the honorable thing would be for Blizzard to split from Activision on principle...

Well, Japanese developers are the only ones who run on the honor system. I mean they have the samurai code and we don't.

Maybe it's on a WRPG good and evil scale. When a company does something like this, everyone immediately assumes that the situation is totally black and white and that the big evil Bobby Kotick is 100% wrong and that the clean pure Infinity Ward guys are 100% right.  Bobby Kotick chose the option at the bottom that was in red letters.

then come the fair weather calls for boycotts and in a year, most people won't care, aside from a few guys who stuck to their guns.  but the fact that they stuck to their guns seems strange and crazy to the normals who think action-adventure CoD looks alright.  Their tiny yelps will be ridicule-fodder on Starcraft 2's launch day or WoW's next update.

See also: NBC, Conan debacle.

"I'm never watching NBC again!"

"So guys, see tonight's Chuck?"

[Don Flamenco]

I think that smart people know that nothing is black and white in life.But that doesn't mean that we can't have fun...

true.  not sure why I'm playing the smartass when I was rooting for the Apocalyps3 the other day  :'(

[Stoney Mason]

then come the fair weather calls for boycotts and in a year, most people won't care, aside from a few guys who stuck to their guns.  but the fact that they stuck to their guns seems strange and crazy to the normals who think action-adventure CoD looks alright.  Their tiny yelps will be ridicule-fodder on Starcraft 2's launch day or WoW's next update.

Only dumbasses call for boycotts (on videogames at least). Which is always why I mock the notion of them and people who are pro them on pretty much anything. The game is the game. If the next one sucks. I won't buy it. If the next one kicks ass. I will buy it. That's all the "boycott" that is needed. Same goes for the next IW game or honestly any game on the market. The only difference being that I pretty much was willing to buy anything IW made because of their track record and me being satisifed with their games. I didn't need to test it out or read reviews. My prior buying experience was my guide for my future purchases. That isn't the case next time with the next COD if it isn't made by IW. But that's cool. Not saying I won't buy it or anything. Just that they will have to convince me as a consumer that they have made a game in the style that I'm accustomed to from IW.

 I'm got COD Waw on Gamefly and its fine and everything and it's a good enough game but I wouldn't have bought it. The world rolls on and talented people tend to land on their feet. Its all good.

[chronovore]

Is there ANY WAY for Blizzard to get AWAY from Activision after this merger?

but of course, forumites think the game industry runs on emotions and that the honorable thing would be for Blizzard to split from Activision on principle...

Well, Japanese developers are the only ones who run on the honor system. I mean they have the samurai code and we don't.

Yeah, there's no subterfuge in Japanese history.


http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/report-infinity-ward-bosses-removed-from-studio

West's involvement appears to have been confirmed by a Facebook status update he published after the meeting, which stated: "Jason West is drinking. Also, no longer employed."

[Cormacaroni]

I'm not really sure why everyone is worried about Activision killing the goose with the golden egg, given that they apparently did exactly the same thing before with Collier. MW2 went on to outsell MW after they ditched him, if I'm reading all this correctly. They've been vindicated, at least in their minds. They've also been vindicated on giving the franchise partially to Treyarch, since those games are also crazily profitable and well-liked (if not loved, perhaps).

More cold-blooded shit goes down at my company every day of the week. I don't know why game-makers think they can somehow survive in a corporate environment without playing along. If you want to play by indie rules, don't cuddle up with billionaires.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

More cold-blooded shit goes down at my company every day of the week. I don't know why game-makers think they can somehow survive in a corporate environment without playing along. If you want to play by indie rules, don't cuddle up with billionaires.

Yeah, guess what, as soon as you're using someone else's money to make your game, they get a say in what and how you make it. It may be a shitty say full of fucking fail but you can't just DO WHATEVER YOU WANT and make them foot the bill.

Are Activision being cocks? Sure, yes. But it's not their job to be nice. It's their job to sell games and make money. They calculated that this will save them money and sell more games - and good and evil, correct and incorrect are two separate axes.

[GilloD]

More cold-blooded shit goes down at my company every day of the week. I don't know why game-makers think they can somehow survive in a corporate environment without playing along. If you want to play by indie rules, don't cuddle up with billionaires.

Yeah, guess what, as soon as you're using someone else's money to make your game, they get a say in what and how you make it. It may be a shitty say full of fucking fail but you can't just DO WHATEVER YOU WANT and make them foot the bill.

Are Activision being cocks? Sure, yes. But it's not their job to be nice. It's their job to sell games and make money. They calculated that this will save them money and sell more games - and good and evil, correct and incorrect are two separate axes.

I think it's well within their rights to make decisions like this, I'm just not sure it was a particularly wise business decision. I don't work at IW, I don't know how deep West/Zampella's involvement in MW went, but it seems a little like killing the goose that layed the golden egg, no?

[Eel O'Brian]

i thought collier moved up to a different position in activision?

[Bebpo]

I think it's fair for IW to say "hey we're going to do this, take it or fire us".  Non-IW CoD games suck and will sell less and less over time.  IW makes the company money, therefore IW can blackmail the company into doing its bidding....in theory.

But then when the company calls them on it and fires them, they can't really complain because that's how blackmail works if they call your bluff.

[The Fake Shemp]

Are Activision being cocks? Sure, yes. But it's not their job to be nice. It's their job to sell games and make money. They calculated that this will save them money and sell more games - and good and evil, correct and incorrect are two separate axes.

Yeah, the best part about this is it is both evil and a stupid business decision!

[The Fake Shemp]

I'm going to go ahead and guess there was an exodus in the plans if such and such didn't happen, and Activision just decided to nuke the whole lot early before they had to fund anything else.

That's my guess, as well. I find it unlikely that certain staff will stay with both Zampella and West gone - unless they happened to be the most unpleasant people in the industry. We're talking Jaffe bad.

[Draft]

Kotick has to be a republican.

Well, he is rich and successful, so yes, he probably is Republican.

[Eel O'Brian]

Non-IW CoD games suck and will sell less and less over time.

The facts back you up, just look at how W@W sold less than all the other non-IW CoD games

spoiler (click to show/hide)

[close]

[The Fake Shemp]

I really liked World at War, but I was not a big fan of Call of Duty 3. Still, it proves that Treyarch can make a good Call of Duty game and I'm willing to give their next one a shot.

... but if Activision plans on doing spin-off titles and saturating the marketplace, I'm going to jump ship.

[Eel O'Brian]

i'm hoping for a slew of subtitled CoD series so I can get my COD WWII on and the rest of you can get whatever red-dot-sight-nuclear-instant-win the fuck it is you want and everyone can shut the fuck up about there being too many WWII games and do the fistbump radudical bro in your own corner

[The Fake Shemp]

WWII games

Also on Eel's wish list: "more black and white serials on television, a return to actual prizes in boxes of cracker jacks, all songs to be released on vinyl, tax credit for collecting scrap metal, and for Jesus to bring back that delightful Bob Hope."

[Eel O'Brian]

if you ask nicely, maybe i'll let you have another sequel to your treasured movie series about toy robots

[The Fake Shemp]

 

[iconoclast]

I thought World at War was pretty decent really. It's clearly a second rate game compared to what IW does but it's still not bad. CoD3 on the other hand ranks alongside Oblivion as one of the worst games I've played this generation.

[chronovore]

Yeah, there's no subterfuge in Japanese history.

I was kidding!

But they'd totally seppuku a bitch cause they're all ninjas.

I know, girlfriend! I forgot my /sarcasm tag; I thought was good enough thar.

I really liked World at War, but I was not a big fan of Call of Duty 3. Still, it proves that Treyarch can make a good Call of Duty game and I'm willing to give their next one a shot.

... but if Activision plans on doing spin-off titles and saturating the marketplace, I'm going to jump ship.

Whaddaya mean, "if"?

[Van Cruncheon]

More cold-blooded shit goes down at my company every day of the week. I don't know why game-makers think they can somehow survive in a corporate environment without playing along. If you want to play by indie rules, don't cuddle up with billionaires.

this. thread over. fuckin' naive gaming nerds!

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Yes, Infinity Ward's next game was going to be their cool new sci-fi IP, but -- as their contract clearly shows -- they had a ghost man on Modern Warfare 3. ATVI couldn't give it to another developer! That ghost man was saving it for them until 2013!

[ManaByte]

How many non-Neversoft Tony Hawk games were any good?

[demi]

I'm pretty sure they were all Neversoft up until Ride.... so... zero

[Brehvolution]

Kotick has to be a republican.

Well, he is rich and successful, so yes, he probably is Republican.

I meant that in a 'use people to make you rich and then fire them cause they make too much money' kind of way. Not all rich people are republicans, just the selfish assholes.

[Draft]

(Image removed from quote.)
"Next up, Blizzard."

I don't think so, man. Infinity Ward had hyper successful games, but they were always a studio that existed at the behest of Activision.

Whatever Blizzard's relationship to Activision may be, I'd be pretty shocked if Bobby Kotick or anyone else would be able to exert any sort of antagonistic control over Blizzard.

[duckman2000]

I'd imagine that COD/MW can run on auto for a while now. Not to make light of the importance of the developer, but the commercial success and decent quality of the Treyarch games suggest that there is enough for the imitators to use for some time. It's not like consumers give a damn about IW, they just want COD and Modern Warfare. They might start caring when the quality begins to drop, but that will take a few games.

And honestly, it's not like IW is Bungie. Bungie has this crazy close relationship with their community, which I think would work in their favor if something nasty went down between Bungie and a publisher.

[cool breeze]

I wouldn't mind more WW2 game but I didn't think WaW felt like WW2, if that makes sense.  The pace of the game in that setting with those weapons was almost comical.

[ManaByte]

(Image removed from quote.)
"Next up, Blizzard."

I don't think so, man. Infinity Ward had hyper successful games, but they were always a studio that existed at the behest of Activision.

Whatever Blizzard's relationship to Activision may be, I'd be pretty shocked if Bobby Kotick or anyone else would be able to exert any sort of antagonistic control over Blizzard.

http://www.destructoid.com/multiple-diablo-sequels-in-development--165689.phtml
http://www.n4g.com/gaming/News-478626.aspx

[ManaByte]