Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Updates

Activision and Tencent ink multiyear agreement to bring free-to-play shooter based on Modern Warfare series to Asian country after two years of development.

Rhythm game minted $830.9 million--but Call of Duty: Black Ops is closing fast with $787.4 million; Wii Fit, Modern Warfare 2, and Rock Band also make top 10.

Group of 38 developers allege publisher withheld $75 million-$125 million in royalties, bonuses, and stock options related to Modern Warfare 2 sales and technology during Q1 2010; massive punitive payout also sought; Activision says case "without merit."

At least nine members of Modern Warfare 2 team now at former bosses' indie studio; reports say 13 artists, engineers, designers, and HR recruiters left studio in past five days.

Modern Warfare 2's lead designer, lead software engineer, lead environment artist, and two lead animators join Zampella and West's EA-bankrolled indie studio.

Q&A: Ex-Infinity Ward leaders and EA Games president explain how they are setting up an independent SoCal shop, discuss importance of owning one's own IP.

[UPDATE] New studio Respawn Entertainment formed by Jason West, Vince Zampella; EA Partners to be exclusive distributor of future titles; Activision says deal is no surprise given the pair's "improper activities."

[UPDATE] Activision unveils department focused on expanding franchise, confirms rumors Bay Area studio working on COD "action-adventure" title; mystery COD title due in 2011; massively multiplayer licensing in negotiations; Infinity Ward apparently involved only in MW2 expansions.

[UPDATE] SEC filing reveals Activision is dismissing two "senior employees" of Modern Warfare 2 studio for "breaches of contract"; Jason West, Vince Zampella confirm sudden simultaneous departure.

Nintendo's Wii Remote pack-in and Activision's guitar-based rocker cap NPD's top 10 US bestsellers from Jan. 2000 to Aug. 2009; San Andreas, Call of Duty 4, Wii Fit also make chart.

Activision looking to translate its rhythm game, war action series into small- and big-screen properties, claims the Hollywood Reporter; concert tour also a possibility.

GDC 2009: Activision declares hit "best-selling first-person action game of all time"; Infinity Ward reps appear to confirm spin-off; Activision mum on COD series' future.

Newsweek correspondent claims host of new games revealed at Activision event, including Bizarre Creations' "Mario Kart meets Forza" racer and a James Bond driving game.

Former GDC Awards-bestowing development organization will now vote on AIAS' annual Interactive Achievement Awards, held at February 2009 event.