As the case between Activision and former Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vince Zampella progresses, more and more information about the situation is coming to light. According to the latest documents released in conjunction with the case, West and Zampella, along with the 20 other top IW employees, were owed massive bonuses for the performance of the Modern Warfare franchise.
Though the non-founding members of Infinity Ward were due bonuses between $1.175 million - $2.5 million each, West and Zampella were about to rake in $13 million a piece for their efforts in turning Modern Warfare 2 into the highest-selling title at the time, and establishing the Call of Duty franchise. The duo’s salary at the time of their hasty firing was $436K, bringing the combined amount owed to them by Activision to the $27 million range. With that large an amount of money at stake, it’s no wonder things deteriorated so quickly between the publisher and the devs.
There’s no information included stating if the employees (other than West and Zampella) mentioned in these new documents are the same ones that recently received a $42 million payout from Activision. Activision’s suit against West and Zampella is ongoing, and it’s likely more details about the case will be made public in the coming days and weeks.
SOURCE: Infinity Ward founders missed out on $13 million bonuses [Games Industry]
