2010 couldn’t finish without a return to one of the year’s biggest news stories. Activision has filed a $400 million lawsuit against Electronic Arts in response to their acquiring a contract with ex-Infinity Ward employees Vince Zampella and Jason West. The litigation seeks damages for what Activision alleges was illegal coaxing of the studio heads long before their heated departure from the company.
Seamus Blackley, an agent with Creative Artists, brokered a deal with Zampella and West to meet with EA CEO John Riccitiello at his home via private jet, according to the filing, prior to the inception of Respawn Entertainment. The claim also alleges that the two withheld pre-production on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, a sentiment Activision has made on several occasions since the initial lawsuits between itself and West and Zampella. Neither Electronic Arts nor Respawn Entertainment have released a statement on the filing, and could not be reached for comment.