Analyst predicts Infinity Ward closure

The situation at Infinity Ward is so bad that one analyst has predicted Activision will close the studio in the near future.

"Continued defections from their Infinity Ward studio have created meaningful uncertainty around the future of their Call of Duty: Modern Warfare franchise," Janco Partners' Mike Hickey wrote this week.

"We expect Infinity Ward studio will be essentially closed after their next map pack release, with development work on Modern Warfare 3 spread between two studios not historically tied to the franchise."

Hickey went on to estimate that Modern Warfare 3 would hit in Q4 2011 and amass $738 million in sales.

The turmoil at Infinity Ward began with the sacking of studio heads Jason West and Vince Zampella in March. The duo have since formed a new company, Respawn Entertainment, and partnered with EA, with many of their former employees leaving Infinity Ward soon afterward to join them.

Check out our interview with West and Zampella from earlier this month, assuming you're not thoroughly bored of all this by now.

Alternatively, check out the original mentalist lawsuit quotes from West/Zampella and Activision. Inquisitions! Secret planes! Hostages!