Infinity Ward vs. Activision - Lawsuit Details

Details of the lawsuit filed by Modern Warfare developers Infinity Ward against publishers Activision have been revealed.

Details have emerged today about the very public falling out between Infinity Ward and Activision over Modern Warfare 2.

Apparently the dispute revolves around a large sum of money that Activision allegedly promised the developers as a bonus for additional sales of Modern Warfare 2, providing that the game outsold its predecessor. The claim indicates that Activision have failed to pay a fourth quarter 2009 bonus of $54 million, as well as withholding a first quarter 2010 bonus that is believed to be somewhere between $30 - 45 million.

On top of this, Activision are accused of creating a hostile work environment by forcing the employees into secret interrogations and instructing them to not talk to their attorneys. They are also accused of unlawfully firing Jason West and Vince Zampella in a bid to control the small development studio.

Several breaches of contract, both written and verbal, are mentioned, along with the fact that Infinity Ward apparently did not want to develop Modern Warfare 3 as their next game.

The trial date for Jason West and Vince Zampella vs Activision and the Infinity Ward Entertainment Group vs Activision lawsuits has been set for May 23rd 2011.

The full legal document can be found here.