After Activision settled with Electronic Arts over its $400 million lawsuit out of court, the Call of Duty publisher states that former Infinity Ward co-heads, Vince Zampella and Jason West, planned to specifically challenge Halo, but instead took the idea to EA.
The Associated Press unveiled the claim within their report regarding Activision’s settlement with EA:
Activision has sought access to details about Respawn’s work for Electronic Arts on a new game that has not been revealed. Activision claimed the pair had discussed creating a science-fiction shooter intended to challenge the “Halo” franchise, but instead of delivering that game gave it to Redwood City-based Electronic Arts.
Activision’s claim certainly does have merit. Following West and Zampella’s departure from the company and subsequently striking a deal with EA to form Respawn Entertainment, EA Games Label president Frank Gibeau stated during last year’s E3 that their project is indeed a “sci-fi shooter”. He also said that the game would intend to compete with Gears of War and, you guessed it, Halo.
Analyst Michael Pachter, meanwhile, also believes the game will be a so-called Halo killer.
