UPDATE: Activision has issued a press release about the settlement, and while it doesn't include much that we didn't already know, it does mention the settlement will "not have a material impact" on the company's bottom line.

In other words: we probably won't end up finding out very much from Activision's SEC filings.

"The company does not believe that the incremental one-time charges related to the settlement will result in a material impact on its GAAP or non-GAAP earnings per share outlook for the current quarter or the calendar year, due to stronger-than-expected operating performance in the current quarter."

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The epic showdown in the courts between Activision, former Infinity Ward leaders Jason West and Vince Zampella, and nearly 40 employees who left after shipping Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 won't be happening.

Polygon reporter Mike McWhertor and LA Times reporter Ben Fritz have been attending the pre-trial shenanigans in Los Angeles, and both are reporting a settlement has been reached.

The trial had been scheduled to start this week. Details on the settlement will not be released.

According to Fritz, West was seen smiling in the courtroom as the news was announced.

Activision had previously disclosed it had set aside one billion dollars for the case, if the outcome went against Activision in the worst possible way. It's unclear if Activision will have to disclose any part of the settlement in the future as part of being a publicly traded company. The settlement between Activision and Electronic Arts has also been kept under wraps.

I'm really bummed. Think of all the court documents related to lunches I could have looked up!

UPDATE: Activision has issued a press release about the settlement, and while it doesn't include much that we didn't already know, it does mention the settlement will "not have a material impact" on the company's bottom line.

In other words: we probably won't end up finding out very much from Activision's SEC filings.

"The company does not believe that the incremental one-time charges related to the settlement will result in a material impact on its GAAP or non-GAAP earnings per share outlook for the current quarter or the calendar year, due to stronger-than-expected operating performance in the current quarter."

--

The epic showdown in the courts between Activision, former Infinity Ward leaders Jason West and Vince Zampella, and nearly 40 employees who left after shipping Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 won't be happening.

Polygon reporter Mike McWhertor and LA Times reporter Ben Fritz have been attending the pre-trial shenanigans in Los Angeles, and both are reporting a settlement has been reached.

The trial had been scheduled to start this week. Details on the settlement will not be released.

According to Fritz, West was seen smiling in the courtroom as the news was announced.

Activision had previously disclosed it had set aside one billion dollars for the case, if the outcome went against Activision in the worst possible way. It's unclear if Activision will have to disclose any part of the settlement in the future as part of being a publicly traded company. The settlement between Activision and Electronic Arts has also been kept under wraps.

I'm really bummed. Think of all the court documents related to lunches I could have looked up!

Too bad, there could have been some good drama. I guess Activision wouldn't risk losing the MW name.

But really ugly typo there, Patrick. Hardly the first time that has happaned. Ha! Ha! Do you get it?

Yep bummer man.

Awwwwwww I wanted to read those

So they dumped the billions they had saved "Just in case..." I bet?

Either way, it's a good thing Activision set aside ONE BEEEEEELLION dollars.

...and too bad Scoop got scooped out of lunch documents.

Wut

Awww. Oh well.

Man, what's Adam Sessler gonna do with his free time now?

Yeah, I'm thinking that money that Activision put aside for 'legal issues and unforeseen events' has now likely gone missing from their budget....

Pretty anticlimactic but not a huge surprise.

So when can we find out exactly what happened and what the settlement was or is it behind an NDA?

This probably saved a lot of the tax payers money but this would have been awesome to see play out.

Some people got PAID just now. West, Zampella and co. are likely much, much richer.

Damn, just missed the top, but in regards to the story, I am surprised this settled since both parties seemed to have genuine malice towards each other

God fucking damnit.

Expected

Only Tim Langdell seems to deliver on gaming-related courtroom drama, huh?

Damn, this would have provided some good discussion fodder for the Bombcast.

You think you're bummed Patrick? What about the lawyers? There goes that second mansion in the Hamptons...

So this could be viewed as an Activision loss?

They were so ready to go to court thinking they had the advantage and then turn back to just settle.

Wow, so what started so long ago is finally over?

Man I was really looking forward to this going to trial

Does this mean that Respawn's new game will be announced this E3? Do I dare to Hope?

Good old Activison rolling over. They tried to save as much face as they could. I hope West, Zampella and the rest of the team gouged Activison for as much as possible.

@umdesch4: Trust me, they'll still get paid.

@FinalDasa said:

So this could be viewed as an Activision loss?

They were so ready to go to court thinking they had the advantage and then turn back to just settle.

They got camped and sniped at spawn.

Nice to know this whole thing is over.

@chrispti said:

Good old Activison rolling over. They tried to save as much face as they could. I hope West, Zampella and the rest of the team gouged Activison for as much as possible.

That's probably what happened. If this thing went to trial, even if by some hail mary of a virgin birth style miracle happened and they won, the damage to their reputation would've been uncanny. Just so we're clear, Project Icebreaker and other nefarious shit is what Activision wasn't worried about getting out.

Think on that.

I only mourn for the podcast fodder this would have provided.

Im bummed to Scoopz. Was looking forward to this!

Im bummed too this would have been the best trial ever.

No details being released = Activision gave in.

Of course they did.

Details of the settlement were undisclosed but "...West was also seen folding a receipt for a pair of matching gold-plated Bugatti Veyrons"

I think Patrick should still get whatever bonus was coming to him when he won a pulitzer for what would have been his reporting of this case.

Looks like Respawn just got the world's biggest kickstarter.

I heard it was 775 million.

I'm really bummed. Think of all the court documents related to lunches I could have looked up!

Yeah, I bet Activision keeps records of every lunch consumed by their employees.

Seriously though, I really wanted to see this go to court. IT would have been a sure loss for Activision.

can you imagine how activision would have come out of this looking? someone must have finally slapped some sense into Bobby Kotick and said "look, no one is ever going to buy an activision product again if we go to trial."

FUCK FUCK GOD FUCKING DAMN IT FUCK

I was hoping they'd go to trial so the real bullshit got exposed.

@ExplodeMode: That's an illegal amount of money.

Patrick, please interview Jason and Vince and make it all about their favourite sandwiches.

Aw Dammit, I was ready to watch the mud fly. What am I going to do with all this popcorn?

@chrispti: I just stopped myself from making a joke in questionable taste

Time to scoop the West/Zampella interview!

Man, I actually didn't want West Zampella to just get some money. I really wanted to see them gain the rights to Modern Warfare/CoD to see Activision lose it's mind.

I want to hear the Jury deliberation process on what they choose for lunch.

Sweet! Maybe this means Respawn can start talking about their game now!!