Bringing the fear and pessimism, one employee at a time.

Nice read Patrick.
 
Bobby Kotick is really growing into that super villain role.

I remember when this was first being broken that the allegation was Activision was trying to find any piece of dirt on them to kick them out on, AFAIK, charges of insubordination.

Given this development, I would love to find out why, why so keen to get rid of them?

An obvious reason could be wanting to maintain control over the CoD franchise. There were rumblings that MW2 was made because IW were told to, instead of wanting to, so it seems West/Zampella wanted to move away from the franchise, limiting the ability of Activision to pump them out as often.

Less obvious, there were also rumours (I don't recall if they were ever substantiated) that IW were unhappy with Activision (specifically with another rumour that CoD3 was green lit and given to Treyarch without their knowledge or permission) and were planning on moving to another publisher.

All these rumours and speculation hopefully getting addressed in some form is why I'm looking forward to the trial, the fireworks are an added bonus.

Also, requesting a 30 day delay is a smart move, not wanting any negative press (if it turns out that way) before the big show, but I hope it gets denied, IMHO.

@jozzy said:

This made me laugh

To try and accomplish this task, Fenady reached outside parties. He reportedly contacted Microsoft to help crack West and Zampella’s passwords, but Microsoft refused to comply without a court order. Third-party security specialist InGuardians was contacted, too, but the vendor “didn’t feel comfortable” with the “legal hurdles.”

Glad to see some companies still have some kind of moral backbone, or... are at least affraid of getting sued to bits.

You hit the nail on the head. It is purely lawsuits that oppose any sense of a "moral" backbone to companies.

Oh My [/Takei]

@Greenshoes said:

@MattyFTM said:

Right now I'm picturing Bobby Kotick sat in a big leather chair, stroking a cat while laughing maniacally at Project Icebreaker.

I see more of a stone faced statue that sits entirely still, trying to calculate every posible outcome and their potential cost or gain.

I see him in s&m gear laying belly down with a ball gag in his mouth and getting spanked by a little person dressed as Rich Uncle Pennybags.

@Excast said:

Nice read Patrick. Bobby Kotick is really growing into that super villain role.

Growing? That ass hole has been a villain for ages.

@ztiworoh: lol Im pretty sure this was sent to every orphan Annie looking game journalist they could find. Im pretty sure pattys not a special case.

Tricky Scoops doing his thing! Awesome article, Patrick. This whole case is incredibly interesting to "watch".

To try and accomplish this task, Fenady reached outside parties. He reportedly contacted Microsoft to help crack West and Zampella’s passwords, but Microsoft refused to comply without a court order.

Wow. I can't believe Activision tried to something so evil that even Microsoft refused to help. That's like losing the moral high ground to a Sith Lord.

I hate when Patty breaks big news stories because it's usually a tacit indication that the site isn't getting any video that day.

"Bobby will take care of you. … Don't worry about repercussions."

That's mafia-esque shit!

@DukeT said:

Fantastic article Patrick. I have to say though, this trial is spinning out of control for Activision. I wouldn't be surprised if we heard about a settlement very soon.

Yeah, I can't imagine that Activision's willing to take many more statements being made public where they say they just want to get rid of their employees, true or otherwise.

Ohh I'm grabbing the popcorn! Love that they didn't get the damn extension!

Great Job Patrick!

@MattyFTM said:

@Vitor said:

@MattyFTM said:

Right now I'm picturing Bobby Kotick sat in a big leather chair, stroking a cat while laughing maniacally at Project Icebreaker.

I've given him an eye-patch in my image.

Man, an eye-patch sounds awesome. Someone with photoshop skills needs to make this a reality.

That's huge Patrick, you're the perfect guy to be covering a story like this.

As a dude that loves video games, law, and cases involving shady corporate actions, I am in heaven right now. Great job Patrick. May 29th can't come soon enough. I look forward to your continuing coverage.

Kleptok Tricky Scoops bringing the news!

SCOOPS!

Oh god, that plan about faking a fire drill to gain access to West and Zampella's computers is ridiculous. This story is getting more juicy and interesting by the second. When did Patrick become to go-to guy for these Infinity Ward stories? Great stuff Patrick.

Obligatory

Activision is easily the most evil game company, how EA gets branded with that title I will never know.

This is going to be brutal. I am hoping that any news outlet will have someone on site to follow the case. This could be one of the biggest pieces of news, and change the developer/publisher relationship.

Kotick is going to have them "rubbed out" isn't he?

This whole thing seems a bit insane.

Hottest of scoop s

No joke Patrick, this is great work.

HOT SCOOPS

@cwJoe: You sir, are fucking amazing.

@Zaapp1 said:

@DukeT said:

Fantastic article Patrick. I have to say though, this trial is spinning out of control for Activision. I wouldn't be surprised if we heard about a settlement very soon.

Yeah, I can't imagine that Activision's willing to take many more statements being made public where they say they just want to get rid of their employees, true or otherwise.

I have a feeling that Jason West and Vince Zampella are not willing to settle. They are already rich, and are mostly out for revenge.

Wow. That is some good journalism Patrick! If this is the kind of stuff that's getting revealed now I can't image what the trial will bring. Keep up the good work Patrick.

Were talking about millions of dollars and more...this crap is what money does....get rid of a couple of guys with big egos...the shirts can't program , but can spend money....CEO's with bigger egos....a funny look at a boss when dealing with this much cash can get you fired!!...too much!!

Every Chicago-area politician should thank god every night that Scoops Klepek isn't an investigative political journalist.

@lonestar said:

Oh My [/Takei]

lol, this.

I can't stress enough how much better the professional reporting of Patrick has made this site

This trial is getting crazy. Come May 29th, I'm just going to grab a bag of popcorn and watch the fireworks.

Fantastic reporting as usual from Tricky

Great read, thanks patrick!

See, this is why we can have nice things. Thanks Patrick!

Project Icebreaker? I think they need to lay off the John Grisham. Anyway, great digging Patrick, you're really living up to the nickname.

@cwJoe said:

@MattyFTM said:

@Vitor said:

@MattyFTM said:

Right now I'm picturing Bobby Kotick sat in a big leather chair, stroking a cat while laughing maniacally at Project Icebreaker.

I've given him an eye-patch in my image.

Man, an eye-patch sounds awesome. Someone with photoshop skills needs to make this a reality.

You sir, the internet, you have won it. Wonderful.

This is a phenomenal fucking scoop Patrick. Great job dude. Keep it up.

Fuck the Electronic Three, send this man to the courthouse. Fantastic stuff!

Huh, I wonder why Patrick was the only person to receive this e-mail.

Very fascinating stuff. Exactly the type of topic I'd like to see explored in detail on gaming sites since it's pushing the boundaries of what I can follow and take in on my own. This still seems quite confusing nonetheless. The "spying on your employees" angle one could take is obviously slightly overblown because there'd always be some level of companies making sure their workforce doesn't "abuse" the on duty time to pursue own agendas. On the other hand the speculative goal of corporate investigators generally "digging up dirt" to get rid of unwanted employees seems extremely shady. What does that even mean? 'Give me some evidence of them smoking pot? Fucking another guy up the ass? Saying random politically incorect things? Getting sucked off by a secretary?'

If this turns out to be just about Activision ckecking on the CoD dudes to make sure they don't burn the company's money on their next project with EA that seems fine at least on first glance. If it goes in the smear-campaign direction it's going to be one delicious/ sad/ disgusting legal procedure. We'll see. Also, I just read the article and didn't get around to the document for now.

Damnit Patrick, I was reading it in a deep dramatic voice, and then you had to add yourself in there and make it sound way less dramatic.

Also, dude makes it sounds like he was being payed off by the President and the FBI to do some dirty work for the government or something. "Bobby will take care of you." Jeez.

Great article Patrick.

That's some good stuff. Project Icebreaker. Holy shit. And this is only gonna get crazier. Heard Activision hired some superlawyer.

God damn it Patrick, you really outdid yourself with this!

Crazy to me that somehow this game came out as well as it did with the company that produced it trying to spy on the guys that created it. Maybe their next game is a corporate cold war spy thriller

Good job mr Klepek, once again.