Modern Warfare 2 Studio Heads Fired?

You'd think Activision would handle subsidiary Infinity Ward with kiddy gloves after Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and Modern Warfare 2 sold all those millions of copies. However, it seems they've axed Infinity Ward studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella.

G4 reports that West and Zampella met with Activision on Monday morning and then weren't seen since. A "bunch of bouncer-types" showed up at the office later on Monday. Generally it's standard practice for security to be present during layoffs. West and Zampella's LinkedIn profiles now state that they stopped working at Infinity Ward in March 2010.

"The Company is concluding an internal human resources inquiry into breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward," said Activision in an SEC filing this morning. "This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation. At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company."

The shake-up shouldn't have an immediate effect on the Call of Duty series. The next installment is being developed by World at War Treyarch, who tag-teams the franchise with IW. It's been rumored that Activision was bringing a third studio into the rotation as well.