Were you wondering why Infinity Ward employees were leaving in droves and in spite of possible bonuses? Because, they are all suing Activision for their bonus money! G4 has broken the story on the Infinity Ward Employee Group filing suit against Activision for between 75 and 500 million dollars. How did they come up with that sum? Well….
- Unpaid bonuses from 2009 and 2010 sales generated by Modern Warfare 2 — fourth quarter 2009 and first quarter 2010, specifically.
- Bonuses “due and owing to them” past first quarter 2010.
- “Bonus/royalty/profit participation” related to “technology/engine” royalties, “other special performance bonuses,” “other studio bonuses” or “any other bonus/royalty/profit participation.”‘
- Lost value on “restricted stock units” that Activision “promised” would vest (read: own it in your own name and purchase it from Activision) when Modern Warfare 2 sales eclipsed Modern Warfare 1, which “has long ago occurred.”
- Money owed as it relates to Modern Warfare 2 “sister games, including but not limited to” the oft-mentioned Modern Warfare 3, “if Modern Warfare 3 is ultimately delivered and marketed.”
- Interest rates related to the above sums of money.
The lawsuit mentions Modern Warfare 3 over and over again, and with a good chunk of the team leaving and a good chunk suing, it will be interesting to see what becomes of both Infinity Ward and Modern Warfare 3. However it is worth nothing that many of the Infinity Ward employees that are part of the lawsuit have not actually been identified as leaving the company, yet. Make sure to hit up G4 for all the details, but we’re sure this wont be the last we hear of this.