Call of Duty Classic Updates

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.

Modern Warfare 2's $550 million opening helps boost Infinity Ward, Treyarch-developed FPS series' total global sales beyond 55 million units.

Five months after first hints, Activision registers name of its popular shooter series for use with "pre-recorded movies"; new Modern Warfare 2 trailer inside.

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.

President and cofounder of World of Warcraft publisher pulls back curtain on the $18.9 billion dollar deal that changed the face of gaming.

Game industry sees paradigm shift as number two and number three independent game publishers ally to form "Activision Blizzard"; Vivendi to control 52 percent stake.

[UPDATE] Publisher to release Gun, Call of Duty, Call of Duty 2, and Call of Duty: United Offensive on popular download service; all but one will be $20.