Thu, Jun 03, 2010 | 09:08 BST
“Infinity Ward is dead”, says Braben
Frontier boss David Braben has said that Infinity Ward, as we used to know it as, is “dead”.
Speaking to CVG, Braben said the Modern Warfare developer had now become “a different company”.
“Whatever happens now, Infinity Ward as it was, is dead,” he said.
“The ‘brand’ may live on, but a company is its senior staff. Without them it is a different company, and at the very least will need all its seniors replacing – either by promotion from those remaining, or from outside.”
It comes as three months yesterday, Activision sacked ex-heads Jason West and Vince Zampella for “insubordination” at the studio. They’ve since formed Respawn Entertainment, where it’s in the process of setting up the studio properly, with its first game to be published and distributed by EA Partners.
Infinity Ward, meanwhile, has seen a massive walkout, with 35 people having since left the developer, according to Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. It is, however, still working on a new Call of Duty.
Braben is currently working on The Outsider at Frontier, with Elite IV thought to be on hold at the studio.
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Posted in: Activision Blizzard, Hot
Tags: david braben, Frontier Games, infinity ward
16 comments
#1
mathare92
03/06/10, 9:13 am
Gamers around the world shall now observe a minute of silence…
#2
Zarckan
03/06/10, 9:32 am
Hmmmm how the feck does David know that?! he has no involvement with them.
#3
A4-F8
03/06/10, 9:46 am
finally
#4
Tomo
03/06/10, 10:18 am
He’s merely speculating. He’s not actually stating that they’re dead as a fact. Try reading the article beyond the headline.
#5
szaromir
03/06/10, 10:26 am
This probably means a new batch of talented people will get their chance at doing their job under a well-known brand. I wish them all the best.
#6
Tonka
03/06/10, 12:41 pm
/speechless
#7
Retroid
03/06/10, 1:36 pm
SHUT UP AND GET BACK TO ELITE IV, BRABEN
/Cracks whip
#8
joshua nash
03/06/10, 2:36 pm
um, anybody could have guessed that, with all the people that are leaving/have left the company it was only a matter of time, so next on the list of great gaming companies activison plans on driving into the ground is BUNGIE
#9
Gheritt White
03/06/10, 2:43 pm
Bungie was driven into the ground by MS eons ago. Just compare their creative output in the ’90s to the noughties for evidence.
#10
AHA-Lambda
03/06/10, 2:52 pm
@9 – I like to think of it as before and including halo 1 compared to after halo 1
#11
blackdreamhunk
03/06/10, 3:07 pm
my words come to pass!!!!! my words are solid!!!!
#12
revolting
03/06/10, 6:03 pm
I would greatly appreciate it if Braben would stop gossiping and get on with ELITEing. Pretty please?
#13
Patrick Garratt
03/06/10, 6:16 pm
@12 – It’s been put on hold, innit.
#14
The_Deleted
03/06/10, 7:55 pm
I’d have thought it was fucking obvious! The studio as was, is gone.
That’s not to say it won’t continue and develop good games.
#15
DeSpiritusBellum
03/06/10, 8:30 pm
I wouldn’t like the odds of keeping Infinity Ward around under new leadership.
Not only are you missing your directors, you’re also going to have to find new ones to outperform those directors with your next game. It would be a lot less risky to just shuttle those employees into a new brand.
It’s gonna be interesting to see how the brawn does without the brains.
#16
Dr.Ghettoblaster
03/06/10, 9:37 pm
Real shame too, how that evil villianous Activision destroyed the developer who produced a record breaking sales history making product..