Pachter: EA-Respawn deal ‘the ultimate screw you’ to Activision… and to EA

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that the new deal Vince Zampella and Jason West signed with EA is “the ultimate screw you” to Activision. Oh, and to EA too.

Wedbush Morgan analyst Michael Pachter believes that the new deal Vince Zampella and Jason West signed with EA is “the ultimate screw you” to Activision. Oh, and to EA too.

“This is the ultimate screw-you to Activision — and the ultimate screw-you to EA,” Pachter told Gamasutra. “By going to EA now and getting paid up, they say, ‘you’re finally paying us what we’re due. EA are being the bigger people here. They’re not wounded at all by the fact that they lost these guys and the Medal of Honor brand deteriorated.”

The pair jumped ship from EA after the publisher declined to give them more money for their work on the Medal of Honor franchise.

Pachter also noted that the deal still carries some risk. The publisher or Respawn may be sued by Activision over the Respawn deal in a manner similar to what happened with Double Fine’s Brutal Legend.

“There is risk if there’s some kind of trade secret, and Activision will say that,” said Pachter. “If Activision has any kind of smoking gun to prove [West and Zampella] developed something while on the payroll at Activision and then it shows up in the new game, that’s a problem.”

Despite the risk, however, Pachter believes that in the long run, it could be quite lucrative for both Respawn and EA. “Whatever they make is pretty likely going to be looked upon favorably by the hardcore, because everybody wants to see Activision do badly and see these guys succeed,” said the analyst.

Via [Gamasutra]