Activision targets EA in $400 million lawsuit

[December 22, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Activision, the publisher of the smash-hit shooter "Call of Duty: Black Ops," has added a new target in its lawsuit against two former executives: rival video game maker Electronic Arts.

In a court filing Tuesday, Activision for the first time valued its claim at $400 million.

The filing is the latest salvo in a legal shootout that began when Jason West and Vince Zampella sued Activision for $36 million in March, claiming Activision fired them to avoid paying royalties for their work on the "Call of Duty" franchise.

Activision claims EA lured the men away despite their having two years left on their contract. The two later formed Respawn Entertainment, which will create games exclusively for release by EA.

EA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

[Associated Press]

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