In the middle of all those departures, West and Zampella reveal their plans. They have indeed cozied up to Electronic Arts who will back their new studio, Respawn Entertainment.

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This still roiling developer-publisher drama has seemed to have little effect on Activision Blizzard's stock price, which has only moved slightly upward since Infinity Ward's legal and personnel problems began. The departures don't seem to have any apparent impact on fans' eagerness to buy map packs for Modern Warfare 2, which sell like gangbusters during this strife.

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After the dust settled, Activision sets to work rebuilding the Infinity Ward studio, replacing those who fled the developer after the firings of West and Zampella. The publisher also releases Call of Duty: Black Ops, which outperforms bestseller Modern Warfare 2 and generates a billion dollars in revenue over the course of six weeks.

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The New Target

In December 2010, Activision expanded its counter-suit against Jason West and Vince Zampella to include rival Electronic Arts, the home of Respawn Entertainment. Activision alleges that top EA execs conspired to "hijack" the Call of Duty creators while also plotting to "destabilize, disrupt and to attempt to destroy Infinity Ward." Activision is seeking "at least 400 million dollars" in damages from EA.

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Activision's claim also alleges that West and Zampella hoarded bonus monies from sales and schemed to undermine Call of Duty developer Treyarch, among other accusations. That complaint can be read in full here.

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For a recap of the latest events in the imbroglio involving Activision, Infinity Ward, West, Zampella and now EA, check out Kotaku's ongoing Call of Duty Legal Warfare coverage.