After a month of legal drama between Jason West, Vince Zampella and their former corporate overlords at Activision, the predictable has occurred. Announced in a press release today, West and Zampella have formed a new studio, Respawn Entertainment, and have established an exclusive publishing partnership with chief Activision rival, Electronic Arts.
I mean, really, we all saw this coming, right?
"Respawn Entertainment marks a fresh start for Jason and me," said Vince Zampella in the release, followed by the traditionally positive statements which publicly accompany all new relationships.
It'll be interesting, with all of this hub-bub, to see how active the new company is in poaching talent from Infinity Ward. No projects have been announced, as they're really just starting to get the team together. How much do you want to bet that they make a military-themed shooter?
You can read the full release after the fold.
LOS ANGELES, Apr 12, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Today, Jason West and Vince Zampella, creators of the multi-billion dollar Call of Duty(R) franchise, announced the formation of a new development studio -- Respawn Entertainment. The move positions the Respawn Entertainment leadership team as the owners of the intellectual property they create. The company will focus on creating state-of-the-art gaming experiences for global audiences. The studio is currently assembling a world-class team of designers, artists and engineers. Applicants can submit resumes to jobs@respawn.com.
Respawn is pleased to also announce that it has awarded Electronic Arts (ERTS 19.49, +0.13, +0.65%) , through the distinguished EA Partners program, exclusive worldwide publishing and distribution rights to future games. Terms were not disclosed. West and Zampella are represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA).
"Respawn Entertainment marks a fresh start for Jason and me," said Vince Zampella, General Manager of Respawn Entertainment. "For the past decade we led a great development team and poured our hearts into creating an epic game franchise. We're very proud of what we built -- and proud that so many millions of fans enjoyed those games. Today we hope to do it all over again -- open a new studio, hire a great team, and create brand new games with a new partner, EA."
"We're excited," added Jason West, President of Respawn Entertainment. "Now that the team is in control of the games and brands, we can ensure that the fans are treated as well as they deserve."
Frank Gibeau, President of the EA Games Label commented, "This is the start of a great publishing partnership -- one that I expect will develop blockbuster game franchises. Jason and Vince are two of the top creative leaders in the entertainment industry. At EA, we're honored to be their partners and to give them the support they need to hire a team and return to making incredible games."
Contest:
9:40 AM on 04.12.2010
| 
Suck it activision
I'm trying to think of something they could bring to the next battlefield.
Perks? - No fucking thank you.
Killstreaks - NO!
Shiney graphics? - Nah.
Magic rifles that don't need cocking? - No thanks..
Nope, to be fair, I'm glad they won't be involved with Battlefield.
Curious: why is one of your go-to criticisms for an FPS franchise "shiny graphics?" If they're even there - which they're not - why is that even a criticism?
Also, I love the name. "Respawn." Glorious.
I wonder how long before more IW employees walk out to join Respawn Entertainment?
They tried to destroy the NES for Christ's sake. They ignored the Dreamcast. They ruined LoTR. They ruined Ultima.
So many sins against gamers yet Activision is evil?
I think we have seen a softening of EA over the last couple years, where Activision and Kotich seem to be making evil a goal. Neither company wants to give you anything for free or make you pancakes, but EA Partners is a step in the right direction, where Kotich's "if anybody is having fun making games, I'm going to make sure they stop having fun" crap is definitely a turn for the worse.
Take a look at MW2 and then at BFBC2.
One looks gritty, dirty and real, the other looks shiney and plastic.
I know which I prefer.
To spite Activision of course.
People would get tired of COD in next two-three years anyway, so they won't loose anything.
Look what happened with music games in last two years. Same will happen with shooters.
Basically Activision was playing hard ball with the money they owe saying that they had to earn it accrued over several years (aka SLAVERY). Not only that but only if they keep working on MW3. The two looked at each other and was like fuck that, we want to do something different and we want what we're owed.
Activision was like fuck that, your not getting shit until you sign your next contract. They looked at each other, "Sure we'll look at it", *reading the part about being bent over and screwed by Kotick* they decide to fly out to EA and see what's up. EA's laughing balls, and saying ya we're different we use to bend people over constantly, but we're over that now, we'll give you free creative reign on your projects. Their looking at each other "Free...the word is so sweet, oh sweet chariot..."
Back at the evil Activision headquarters where Kotick is receiving report from his sinister spy, taps his finger on the desks. "YEEESSSSS*****send in the storm troopers." Raid happens, and we're here.
*Dramatized*
I've played bad company 2 and dice needs no help. While I do enjoy a little mw2 I hope these guys stay the hell away from the bad company series.
As entertaining as that was (and I did lul, trust me) I'd like to point out slaves don't get paid.
Not to mention that they leave smeging DRM all over the place.
and all they do is buy stuff and then fire the creators and make bad games CNC4 enough said.
EA has killed it's fair share of studios but they take on Schafer's latest work which bought them cred, because honestly even I might have turned that game down but they bought creativity and an ever changing image. Where as Activision when it kicked Schafer out along with anything that might have been creative (because creativity is considered risk), they showed that they were now about the money.
Hence Evil.
I know I'm probably beating a dead horse but clearly some are not aware of the surrounding situation.
Of course, the other company notable for this was Activision.
It's like Rome, in a way. Or, at least, I'd like to think that these things go in cycles.