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Activision: IW offers a great chance for new talent

Published on 19th April 2010 by Joe Martin

Activision reckons that other developers will leap at the chance to replace staff who have left Infinity Ward recently.

Activision COO Thomas Tippl has tried to put a positive spin on the the Infinity Ward situation, which has seen high-profile members of the Modern Warfare design team abandon ship and launch lawsuits against the publisher, by saying that the studio is now ready for new talent.

While around 10 percent of the Modern Warfarre team has quit the studio, Tippl reckons that other developers will be quick to fill their spaces.

"If you put yourself in the developer's shoes, the ability to work on the biggest franchise in the industry and bring your creative product to an audience the size of the Call of Duty franchise is an opportunity many would crave," Tippl told the LA Times, (news via VG247).

Tippl reckons Infinity Ward is still in good shape too, with 100 people still working for the studio and the recent departures only requiring a "configuring [of] the new leadership team."

"[Infinity Ward has] built a deep bench, and the change of guard will provide an opportunity for some of the rising stars to put their own stamp on the Call of Duty franchise," Tippl said. "In addition, we will provide them with all the resources internally and recruit talent from the outside."

"We haven't yet announced the content of [the next Infinity Ward] game, but it's going to be an innovative take that will further broaden the audience for Call of Duty," he said.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

13 Comments

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Mentai 19th April 2010, 12:02

I'm not so sure about this, all the creative people I know are horrified at the idea of only producing rehashes. Is there really something significantly new to be done with the CoD franchise?
I would personally prefer to allow IW to work on new IP. Maybe they won't lose all their key staff (too late?) if they were given a little creative freedom.

Gunsmith 19th April 2010, 12:07

I'm looking to get into the scene atm but Activisions "business practices" mean I am just wasted talent and expendable.

any with an ounce of sense will steer clear

Lockon Stratos 19th April 2010, 12:16

After the whole MW2 'console porting'& loss of dedicated servers fiasco etc etc - as much as I loved CoD1/UO/CoD2 & MW1 (been there right from day 1) I have to say that IW no longer has my interests as a gamer.

no doubt they will just get console programmers to fill in the empty positions.

BentAnat 19th April 2010, 12:22

Actually - it would be a good foothold in the industry.
Whether it's a move to stay at IW is another question, but given the situation they're in right now, I am sure a lot of creatives looking to break into the scene are gonna give it a shot, even if it's only to stick around for 3 years, then move to a better studio.

Unknownsock 19th April 2010, 14:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockon Stratos
After the whole MW2 'console porting'& loss of dedicated servers fiasco etc etc - as much as I loved CoD1/UO/CoD2 & MW1 (been there right from day 1) I have to say that IW no longer has my interests as a gamer.

no doubt they will just get console programmers to fill in the empty positions.

I'm pretty sure this was Activisions doing.

pizan 19th April 2010, 14:20

A great chance...to eat your soul.

WildThing 19th April 2010, 14:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by BentAnat
Actually - it would be a good foothold in the industry.
Whether it's a move to stay at IW is another question, but given the situation they're in right now, I am sure a lot of creatives looking to break into the scene are gonna give it a shot, even if it's only to stick around for 3 years, then move to a better studio.

+1

I can imagine people wanting to get into the industry would consider it, even if, as you say it's only for the short term. Some will consider it valuable experience.

sotu1 19th April 2010, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by BentAnat
Actually - it would be a good foothold in the industry.
Whether it's a move to stay at IW is another question, but given the situation they're in right now, I am sure a lot of creatives looking to break into the scene are gonna give it a shot, even if it's only to stick around for 3 years, then move to a better studio.

+1 again. Unfortunately.

Despite the flak Activision are getting/dealing, anyone with Activision on their resume is going to get a look in and that's worth a lot. Just a shame it's a bit like selling your soul to the devil!

Lockon Stratos 19th April 2010, 14:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknownsock
I'm pretty sure this was Activisions doing.

they probably were in on it at the start. or they probably just left IW to do what they want without looking over their shoulders every 5mins because IW is the boss when it comes to CoD games. who knows.

.:Edit:.

DreamTheater F T W

Ph4ZeD 19th April 2010, 17:23

WANTED: Talented individuals needed to work 70+ hours a week for an appallingly low salary. Will be sacked after game release to avoid any chance of reward for your work.

Bonzo45 19th April 2010, 17:42

Yeah, to be fair they make good games, that the majority of people love. Would be great for the CV, don't know any recent releases that weren't triple A titles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ph4ZeD
WANTED: Talented individuals needed to work 70+ hours a week for an appallingly low salary. Will be sacked after game release to avoid any chance of reward for your work.

lol, but on a serious note is that figure of 70+ hours and low salary accurate?

Quote:

While around 10 percent of the Modern Warfarre team

Typo...

_Metal_Guitar_ 19th April 2010, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockon Stratos
Quote:
Originally Posted by Unknownsock
I'm pretty sure this was Activisions doing.

they probably were in on it at the start. or they probably just left IW to do what they want without looking over their shoulders every 5mins because IW is the boss when it comes to CoD games. who knows.

.:Edit:.

DreamTheater F T W

Dream Theater? They're gods to me! Petrucci is so fecking good.

Farfalho 20th April 2010, 00:49

Unless the new team gets dedicated servers options for MW2 and a anti-cheat system that actually works, I don't give a pretty damn F about them. MW2 is full of cheaters today and has become unplayable, a joyful game ruined, thank you Activision, IW (dumba** ideia) and VAC anti-cheat system, well done!