Activision is a jealous God, now attempting to sue its closest publishing rival, Electronic Arts. EA is being dragged into the West/Zampella lawsuit, where it stands accused of "interfering" with the former Infinity Ward bosses, causing them to attempt a defection.

As punishment for the alleged temptation of Jason West and Vince Zampella, Activision wants a staggering $400 million. The amended suit alleges that EA meddled with contracts, engaged in unfair business practices, and privately flew West and Zampella to a clandestine meeting with EA CEO John Riccitiello in August 2009.

Electronic Arts has responded to the suit, effectively shrugging it off: "This is a PR play filled with pettiness and deliberate misdirection. Activision wants to hide the fact that they have no credible response to the claim of two artists who were fired and now just want to get paid for their work."

I'm beginning to think that Activision spends more time in court than it does listening to game pitches.

Activision targets EA in $400 million lawsuit [AP]