The canning of Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vince Zampella was not a decision that Activision took lightly, says big boss Bobby Kotick, saying that the pair's conduct was a disappointing "compromise of our friendship."


The man at the top of one of the world's biggest video game publishers laid out Activision's side of the Infinity Ward drama during an investor call earlier today. Kotick attempted to calm his investors' concerns about the turmoil surrounding the employee exodus at the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare developer, saying that Activision is "focused on growing our Call of Duty franchise [and] broadening its reach."

That includes the still remaining talent at Infinity Ward he said, who are "working hard on the next title." Activision's Thomas Tippl later said, vaguely, that IW is "working on a Call of Duty title."


"We have long term, well thought through plans in place," Kotick stressed, adding "There's nothing accidental about the continued success of the Call of Duty brand."

Here's Kotick's statement on the "change and dislocation" at Infinity Ward.