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Project Icebreaker looked to access West and Zampella's work emails, computers, and phones and was initiated just months prior to Modern Warfare 2's launch. The reveal of Project Icebreaker comes from the latest court filing from West and Zampella with regards to their upcoming legal battle against Activision.
Project Icebreaker reportedly arose in 2009 over strained relations between Activision and Infinity Ward. While executive memos suggest Project Icebreaker did, at times, involve improving relations between the two companies, there were contingency plans in motion if and when it didn't work out.
The details that follow were pulled from a filing made by counsel for West and Zampella on April 23. The filing focuses on Activision director of IT Thomas Fenady’s deposition, and was filed in response to an Activision motion to dismiss parts of his testimony. Activision motion hopes to dismiss Fenady’s testimony under attorney-client privilege. West and Zampella’s lawyers argue Fenady’s testimony outlines Activision’s attempts to remove West and Zampella from the company prior to the 2010 incident.
Thomas Fenady was director of IT at Activision. He left in December 2009, and now works at Warner Bros. Fenady testified that in the summer of 2009, then Activision chief legal officer (now chief public policy officer) George Rose instructed him to “dig up dirt on Jason and Vince” because “we just want to get rid of them.” Rose said the decision came from Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.
The details that follow were pulled from a filing made by counsel for West and Zampella on April 23. The filing focuses on Activision director of IT Thomas Fenady’s deposition, and was filed in response to an Activision motion to dismiss parts of his testimony. Activision motion hopes to dismiss Fenady’s testimony under attorney-client privilege. West and Zampella’s lawyers argue Fenady’s testimony outlines Activision’s attempts to remove West and Zampella from the company prior to the 2010 incident.
Thomas Fenady was director of IT at Activision. He left in December 2009, and now works at Warner Bros. Fenady testified that in the summer of 2009, then Activision chief legal officer (now chief public policy officer) George Rose instructed him to “dig up dirt on Jason and Vince” because “we just want to get rid of them.” Rose said the decision came from Activision CEO Bobby Kotick.
Here is part of Fenady's deposition with Activison's legal council asking the questions:
Activision: So as I understand it, the investigation in your mind included seeing whether you could get access to Mr. Jason and Mr. Vince's work computers; correct?
Fenady: Yes.
Activision: It included determining whether you could get access to their work email; correct?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: It included determining whether you could get access to their work voicemail?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: It did not include getting access to any personal computer or personal telephone; correct?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: What I wanted to know is, did I get it all?
Fenady: The only thing I would include is, it involved engaging third parties in order to do to. That was all part of -- the objective was the same.
Activision: Which was to gain access --
Fenady: To their work systems, yes.
Fenady: Yes.
Activision: It included determining whether you could get access to their work email; correct?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: It included determining whether you could get access to their work voicemail?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: It did not include getting access to any personal computer or personal telephone; correct?
Fenady: Correct.
Activision: What I wanted to know is, did I get it all?
Fenady: The only thing I would include is, it involved engaging third parties in order to do to. That was all part of -- the objective was the same.
Activision: Which was to gain access --
Fenady: To their work systems, yes.
There is plenty of additional information contained from Fenady's deposition, all of which is outlined and showcased at the exclusive story at Giant Bomb. Please note that this is also apparently not the first time that Activision attempted to dig up dirt or pry into the lives of West, Zampella, and other Infinity Ward employees.
To say things just got a whole hell of a lot more interesting might be a huge understatement. We encourage all of you to read the full article, including the other selections of Fenady's deposition over at Giant Bomb. The entire document used in the story is also hosted at Giant Bomb and also well worth the full read.
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