If nothing else this episode teaches us all this: The gamer's that worry whenever a quality developer like BioWare, Blizzard, or Infinity Ward gets gobbled up by a big fish like Activision or EA are right to worry.  You know what's different between Activision-Blizzard and Activision-Infinity Ward?  Nothing.

It's a pretty boneheaded move to do something as high profile as this, and *not* have a media statement ready to go. This kind of uncertainty with one of your major brands is the kind of thing that would lead investors to lose confidence in your ability to manage the company. The company has already taken a loss in the last quarter, you have received a lot of negative PR due to statements made by your CEO (which was limply addressed with that "Mr. Nice Guy" speech just the other week), witnessed a major shakeup with the main players who have been making you money with three different franchises over the past few years, and *now* a story like this hits the waves where it looks like you've lost total control of the second biggest brand associated with your company (apart from World of Warcraft). If I was him I'd be panicking about my share price, and whether or not the Blizzard part of Activision/Blizzard is now looking for  a way out. 
 
Bad moves Bobby... bad and dumb.

I'm guessing that Activision told them all these plans for "God of Warfare", they told Activision to shove it and then they got fired.

We just have to wait and see as much of both sides of the situation that they'll be allowed to declare. It's easy to jump on Activision cause of their track record, but what if the 2 IW guys really did something that wasn't cool. It would be an unfortunate, career ending, thing to happen, but it might be the case. Of course, it still might just be Activision flexing their muscles giving IW zero leniency. In which case, as soon as those 2 guys work "hiatus" runs out, they'll be back and making action packed games.

/shrugs and goes to play BC2

This whole thing is still pretty messed up.

the 2 fired guys from infinity ward should make their own company, make a game called Future Combat 3, the main character is named Shampoo, there is a Captian Cost who has a big mustache. also its an FPS and starts with some dude named Nikolai landing a helecopter after a giant battle. DONE!

Wonder what actually went down...

Yeah!  Something else Activision can fuck up!  
 
They're going to "Tony Hawk" the franchise.  Yippee!  There just wasn't enough total shit out there.
 
I pulled this from the GameStop website. 
 
"Call of Duty Space Warfare Limited Edition bundle to include a plastic jetpack"  Reserve Now.

All I can hope for, is the next version of Garry's Mod being called Garry & Jason & Vince's Mod...ern..war..fare...?
 
(Soap Gun: Gun that fires mohawked scots.)

You got into bed with activision infinity ward.
 
I give activision another two good years before they start with the big losses and their arrogant business practices catch up with them.
 
EA already proved these practices dont fly in the gaming industry.

" You got into bed with activision infinity ward.  I give activision another two good years before they start with the big losses and their arrogant business practices catch up with them.  EA already proved these practices dont fly in the gaming industry. "

" @championfetus said:

" I can't help but be reminded of the lorax. 
 
The Gamer: Well, Mr. Kotick-ler?
 The Kotick-ler: Hmm. First poor Tony Hawk. Then the poor Guitar heros. Now the poor Call of Duties... oh, Mr. Gamer, Mr. Gamer... this cursed factory of mine! Now, at last, I understand.
Mr. Wallstreet-ler: [over intercom] Mr. Kotick-ler! Mr. Kotick-ler!
The Kotick-ler: Hmm? Oh, yes, Mr. Wallstreet-ler?
Mr. Wallstreet-ler: Stock markets just closed, and Activision Inc. stock is up! Up 27 and 5/8 points!
The Kotick-ler: Wow. Wow! Rowdy-dow!
[to Gamer]
The Kotick-ler: Now, you listen to me, Pop, while I blow my top! Games? Ha! You speak for the Games? Well I speak for Big Business, and Exploited Names! For your information, you gamer, I'm figgering on biggering and biggering, and biggering, and BIGGERING, Buying MORE Developers IP's! Which everyone, everyone, EVERYONE NEEDS! "

...Epic. "

This just in,   Duty Calls: Future Combat confirmed by West and Zampellas new Indie studio "Forever Sector"!

the comedy in all of this is that gamers still buy all these activision games despite their despicable behavior. Activision could tell you all that you suck and you will still buy MW3.

" the comedy in all of this is that gamers still buy all these activision games despite their despicable behavior. Activision could tell you all that you suck and you will still buy MW3. "

Just a weird situation in general... pretty heavy handed action in my opinion..

law suits are starting to fly now.
 http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/04/ousted-infinity-ward-founders-file-suit-against-activision/

I can't help but wonder, if EA fire the two doctors of Bioware at this moment, just like Activision fired the two heads of IW, what would  Ray Muzyka and Greg Zeschuk respond? 
And what if Bethesda fire John Carmack at this moment......

" @Pkshields said:

" God of Warfare is a great name. "

Please, who still calls it God of Warfare. Gorefare. "

" This just in,   Duty Calls: Future Combat confirmed by West and Zampellas new Indie studio "Forever Sector"! "