Ben-DutkaWhy a picture of money? Because someone just got paid.
According to various sources, including Bloomberg , Activision Blizzard and EA have reached an out-of-court settlement after the Call of Duty publisher hit EA with a $400 million claim. The lawsuit was slated to go to trial on May 29.
Said Activision lawyer Beth Wilkinson:
"Activision and Electronic Arts have decided to put this matter behind them."
Activision fired Infinity Ward bosses Jason West and Vince Zampella back in 2010, accusing the two of plotting with EA to leave Activision and create a new studio. At the same time, West and Zampella accused Activision of not handing over deserved royalties and were seeking more than $1 billion in damages (way up from the $36 million they initially sought). But now, both companies will ask the court to dismiss the claims so hopefully, that's that.
The saga was a painful one and included a mass exodus of employees from Infinity Ward after West and Zampella left. There was no shortage of drama, either, as the duo formed Respawn Entertainment – HA – and revealed that EA would publish their debut title. That, by the way, will not be revealed at E3 next month; the studio won't be in attendance at the event.
But at least things are reaching a conclusion. Thankfully.