Former Infinity Ward bosses form new studio, hook up with EA

Neither getting the boot from Activision’s nor the lawsuit they’re currently involved in with their former employers aren’t going to keep Vince Zampella and Jason West from making games. EA has announced that the former Infinity Ward bosses have formed a brand new studio called Respawn Entertainment.

Neither getting the boot from Activision’s nor the lawsuit they’re currently involved in with their former employers aren’t going to keep Vince Zampella and Jason West from making games. EA has announced that the former Infinity Ward bosses have formed a brand new studio.

The studio, called Respawn Entertainment, will have the one thing that Activision reportedly kept the pair from getting: full creative control over their own IPs. EA will instead handle only the publishing and worldwide distribution rights via EA Partners.

“Respawn Entertainment marks a fresh start for Jason and me,” said Zampella. “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.”

West also added that retaining full creative control will work out to the benefit of gamers in the future. “We’re excited,” he said. “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.”

Zampella and West were fired by Activision last month over allegations of breaches of contract and insubordination. Both camps have since fired lawsuits at each other.