The ex-Infinity Ward bosses will be ”pursuing their own IP.” They’re an EA Partners client and therefore have ”no roles in those franchises.”
Following the announcement of Respawn Entertainment being formed by the two fired helmers of Infinity Ward, the news also broke that they’re an EA Partners, erm, partner. This doesn’t make them an EA developer though, they remain entirely independent.
”That’s not an option,” Gibeau told Kotaku, asked if the duo would tackle some Medal of Honor or Battlefield IP. ”These guys are about pursuing their own IP.”
”Internal to EA, we’ve got some incredible development and franchise happening with Medal of Honor and Battlefield. This is an EA Partners deal … these guys have no roles in those franchises.” As for West and Zampella’s next game project? No idea.
The veteran designers have no idea yet either. ”We’re excited for the ability to control every game that comes out based on this IP,” Zampella said.
”We don’t know what that’s going to be yet. We haven’t decided what the game’s going to be yet, what the IP’s going to be. But we think that’s a good thing for us and our creative process.” Expectations are naturally running high for the creators of the Modern Warfare franchise, which they still contest should remain with them and not Activision.
What does it mean for a development studio to own their IP? ”We can insure the integrity of the games, the integrity of the brand, and make sure that it has a long future and that fans are treated as well as they deserve and everything can stay strong,” said West.
It’s been reported before that West and Zampella, who have Hollywood agents now, resisted the idea of Modern Warfare 2 so soon after the first game but that Activision forced it through to ”exploit” the franchise annually, as they claim in their fiscal calls.
Are you excited to hear Jason West and Vince Zampella owning a new studio?
