Is it yet known why Zampella was fired by Activision?
Also, how can Activision fire someone from another company, Infinity Ward?
IW are a subsidary of Activision so yes they can fire them
Big lawsuit over it so wont find out what happened until it goes to trial, only pure speculation as to what could have happend for now.
Most of the speculation is based around Call of Duty obvious, there was problems when Activision said they wanted one a year, IW said no so they gave the development of 3 to someone else. There is also some talk that IW were happy with this as long as they were only ones allowed to develop games based after the vietnam war.
Further problems flared up when World at War was released, IW didnt like the way it was marketed and how Modern Warfare was being used to sell it. Following on from this for Modern Warfare 2 IW dropped Call of Duty from the title, it was eventualy forced upon them to use it but its here where things get juicy.
IW wanted the Modern Warfare name, they understood the name was owned by them not activision along with all the IP that goes along with the games. Now this may not seem important as its thought Activision own IW, technically they do but then again they dont. Think of it the same as Microsoft and Bungie, MS owned them but they were still a company in their own right when the time was right Bungie decided they didnt need/want microsoft anymore and went their own way. It seems like IW were thinking of doing the same thing.
It is believed Zampella and West had been invovled with discussions with other publishers about a deal that would see them leave Activision and thats why they got fired. Now I know this doesnt make sense, if IW were planning to leave Activision how would they keep the name and IP? as IW are a subsidary of Activision they would have to buy themselves out of the deal to get their freedom, only after they bought themselves out would they be legally able to other publishers.
But looks like Activision knew this was coming, and have apparently not paid anyone at IW royalties for MW2. Now this money is believed to be what was going to be used for a management buyout. Its also the reason no one else from IW has walked out, they cant afford to.
And so we go to the courts, West and Zampella want their money and Modern Warfare, interestingly Activision are yet to counter sue which is normaly the done thing when something like this happens. Its going to drag out though, the case management conference is set for sometime in June, and in that they just talk about how when the trial is going to take place and how long to schedule it for. And then there could be appeals as well, so MW 3 for 2011 is very unlikely
Of course all the above could be ********, until it hits the courts only Activision, west and Zampella know for sure and none of them are likely to start talking anytime soon