An email sent by an EA exec, though unclear exactly to whom, is raising some very serious questions about Vince Zampella’s role in delaying a map pack for Infinity Ward’s Modern Warfare 2 in order to benefit an EA product.
The email reads: “A couple months ago, I asked Vince to hold back their map pack until after we launched (he owes me one). Given that they’ve already made a billion, he was cool with that, obviously (Activision CEO) Kotick took it as being belligerent,” and it was written by EA’s Lincoln Hershberger.
“This was obviously sarcasm. It’s clear from the email this was a joke and they never spoke. We explained this to lawyers at Activision – who apparently don’t have much of a sense of humor,” clarified EA spokesman Jeff Brown. Who was the joke for? Did the guy laugh? Was everyone telling it around the watercooler the next day? We may never know. But the part where they sued you for $400 million didn’t tip you off about their sense of humor regarding you making off with their crown jewel?
The Context of the Email
The email in question has sparked significant controversy and speculation within the gaming community. Vince Zampella, co-founder of Infinity Ward, was a key figure in the development of the highly successful Modern Warfare series. The suggestion that he might have delayed a map pack to benefit EA, a direct competitor, is a serious allegation. This email, whether intended as a joke or not, has added fuel to the fire of the ongoing legal battles between Activision and EA.
At the time, Activision was embroiled in a lawsuit with Zampella and Jason West, another co-founder of Infinity Ward, over their dismissal from the company. The lawsuit claimed that Activision had wrongfully terminated them to avoid paying substantial royalties. The email from Hershberger was seen as potential evidence of collusion between Zampella and EA, further complicating the legal proceedings.
The Impact on the Gaming Industry
The controversy surrounding this email highlights the intense competition and high stakes within the gaming industry. Modern Warfare 2 was one of the best-selling games of its time, and any delay in releasing additional content could have significant financial implications. The suggestion that such a delay was orchestrated to benefit a rival company underscores the cutthroat nature of the business.
Moreover, this incident sheds light on the relationships and rivalries between major players in the industry. EA and Activision are two of the largest video game publishers in the world, and their competition has often been fierce. The email controversy is just one example of how this rivalry can manifest in unexpected ways.
It’s also worth noting the broader implications for game developers and their relationships with publishers. The legal battles between Activision and the former Infinity Ward executives highlighted issues of creative control, financial compensation, and corporate governance. These are ongoing concerns within the industry, as developers seek to balance their artistic vision with the commercial interests of their publishers.
In conclusion, while the email from Lincoln Hershberger may have been intended as a joke, its impact has been far from humorous. It has raised serious questions about the conduct of key figures within the gaming industry and has added another layer of complexity to the already contentious legal battles between Activision and EA. As the industry continues to evolve, such incidents serve as a reminder of the high stakes and intense competition that define the world of video game development and publishing.
Via Eurogamer
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