Infinity Ward Not DOA, Says Kotick

by Meagan Marie on May 07, 2010 at 10:32 AM

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Despite recent forecasting that the emaciated vestiges of Infinity Ward will be soon laid to rest, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick assured investors yesterday that the industry innovator will remain open for business.

Last week Janco Partners’ analyst Mike Hickey made waves by predicting that Infinity Ward would be forced to close shop due to continued staff defections. Adding that he expected the pending Modern Warfare 2 map pack to be the final contribution to the studio’s legacy, Hickey stated in no uncertain terms that “We expect the Infinity Ward studio will be essentially closed after their next map pack releases, with development work on Modern Warfare 3 spread between two studios not historically tied to the franchise.”

In an attempt to quell fears of an imminent studio closure, Kotick maintained in a post-earnings conference call yesterday that keeping Infinity Ward healthy remains a top priority. The battle will be an uphill one, considering the recent departure of 35 employees, a large majority of which left for West and Zampella’s recently unveiled Respawn Entertainment.

“We are obviously disappointed about this and we wish we could convince some of these talented people to stay,” Kotick lamented during the call. He also expressed regret that West and Zampella were terminated, clarifying that he had considered the pair personal friends but felt backed into a corner by their alleged actions. Kotick finished addressing the topic by reaffirming that Activision will provide all the resources – people or otherwise – needed to “maintain the highest level of content quality.”

While Kotick’s campaign is obviously one of necessity (read: damage control), it’s unclear if the studio is stable internally. An anonymous source hinted last week that the studio is crumbling from the inside-out. While we wish the best for all the talented developers who remain at Infinity Ward, we're not convinced the turmoil is entirely behind them.

[via GameSpot]

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by oriongamer Friday, May 07, 2010 at 10:39 AM

of course he would say this he doesnt want investors to leave and something that brings in so much money to die.

and im surprised their not makeing cod future warfair yet.

respawn will probably make a technicaly cod thats not called cod and their you go
by Dogfonos Friday, May 07, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Friends? is that a joke?

Kotick wants "to take the fun out of gaming" so I doubt he cares all that much
by Occulted NinJa Friday, May 07, 2010 at 10:45 AM

He just doesn't wanna look like a ***. Cause he is. So having said that, he's also probably jealous that West and Zampella are much more talented then anyone else over there and now they have a new studio that's gonna put out amazing games that he won't get paid for.

So Mr. Kotick. This is what I have to say to you. Neh neh neh neh neh neh. Ha ha ha ha ha ha. *thbbbbbbbbbbt*
by Bob Smith Friday, May 07, 2010 at 10:59 AM

Even if they keep the name its just a name with none of the talent. Infinity Ward died a few weeks ago RIP
by eyros2k Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:02 AM

Yea... I don't think so.
by Nic Buss Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:03 AM

The next Modern Warfare will still have the name, but it will have lost everything that made it Modern Warfare.
by TheLostMarauder18 Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:06 AM

Someones a pathological liar...
by Dean Marchese Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:16 AM

R.i.p. Get ready to move on to the next "blg thing" because this franchise is done.
by Roberto Martinez Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:28 AM

Let it die KoDick LET IT DIE!!!
by Joely Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Well i guess thats all i needed to hear!

Ol' Bobby knows what's best right guys?
by AMSacco91090 Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:43 AM

Can infinity ward just officially crumble. Let all of the employees join Respawn. Seems like everyday we have an update on this.
by Matt Smith Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:44 AM

And I say that the sky is not blue.
by SightofTwilight Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:45 AM

We shall see.
by doomsday1155 Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:45 AM

Yes, Infinity Ward as we know it is all but dead. Activision is only holding on to the name.
by borderline Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:47 AM

Bob Smith hit it right on the nose.
by Cameron Crowe Friday, May 07, 2010 at 11:49 AM

But it's about the people behind the name Infinity Ward that made it great. The people in charge. It's not about the name itself. Keeping a studio called Infinity Ward open doesn't mean anything. It's nit Infinity Ward anymore. Anyone who doesn't understand that products are good or bad because of the people behind it should be fired. Ahem, kotick. You ***.
by BioMaster J Friday, May 07, 2010 at 12:05 PM

Who cares? Infinity ward sucks now it will never be like it use to be haha no more Modern Warfare wierdos
by LostButSeeking Friday, May 07, 2010 at 12:12 PM

Sounds like lip service to me. If I were in Kotick's situation, I would definitely tell my investors I was planning on keeping my most profitable development studio intact regardless of whether or not that was actually the case.
by TheOpethAffinity Friday, May 07, 2010 at 12:16 PM

Kotick's got his head so far up his ass... He single handedly killed Infinity Ward!
by Fife Friday, May 07, 2010 at 12:19 PM

Kotick is once again spewing his b.s. Infinity Ward is dead and he killed it.

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Infinity Ward Not DOA, Says Kotick