Activision pays $42 million to former Infinity Ward staff

In the pre-trial phase of the lawsuit between former Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella, Activision have paid out a total of $42 million to the staff who worked on Modern Warfare 2.

This payout will be divided between 40 different former Infinity Ward employees who are taking legal steps against Activision for withheld payment and bonuses for their work on Modern Warfare 2.

Bruce Isaacs, the attorney representing the staff was pleased with this development but made it clear that this was not the end to the legal battle, as his clients are looking for a total payout of between $75 million and $125 million.

“Although it is a meaningful payment it is only a small portion of what we are seeking in litigation,”

Another issue that West and Zampella may decide to take action on is an alleged breach of contract by Activision. An MOU drafted between Activision and Infinity Ward states that the latter will have exclusives authority over any Call of Duty games that take place in a post-Vietnam setting.

Since Black Ops II’s near-future setting would be in breach of this agreement, West and Zampella may decide to seek damages from Activision.