In this edition of Talkabout, G4 editor-in-chief Adam Sessler and news editor Patrick Klepek discuss the ongoing situation with Infinity Ward and Activision and the future of the Call of Duty franchise. Check out the video, and express your own opinions in our comment section below.

Just a caveat: This was shot a few hours ago, and more information has been made public since then.

The video is below…

Read more: http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/702933/TheFeed.html?utm_source=g4tv&utm_medium=twitterblog&utm_campaign=so-0907-twitterthefeed-702933&cmpid=so-0907-twitterthefeed-702933#ixzz0h48fXwQb

UPDATE: Security Appears At Infinity Ward, Studio Heads Missing, Activision Investigating “Insubordination”.

UPDATE 12:02 AM: Double Fine’s Tim Schafer, who had his own troubles with Activision over the release of Brutal Legend, recently commented on Twitter about what’s happening between Infinity Ward and Activision.”Getting mad at Activision for this kind of thing is like getting mad at an ape for throwing feces,” said Schafer. “It’s just how the beast communicates.”

UPDATE 11:20 PM: It turns out Activision may have showed their hand in this matter earlier today. In an SEC filing made this morning, Activision cited a human resources investigation into “breaches of contract and insubordination by two senior employees at Infinity Ward.” Based on the information we currently have, at least one of those employees may have included Infinity Ward CTO Jason West. It’s possible Vince Zampella is the other unmentioned employee.

“This matter is expected to involve the departure of key personnel and litigation,” read the filing. “At present, the Company does not expect this matter to have a material impact on the Company.”

UPDATE 11:11 PM: Infinity Ward community manager Robert Bowling has vaguely addressed the situation. “I should also say, while I appreciate all the calls, tweets, messages and hearing my ringtone a lot,” said Bowling on his Twitter account, “they’re in vain – as I have no info.”

UPDATE 10:07 PM: More developments on the situation at Infinity Ward have come to light. A screen shot surfaced from Infinity Ward CTO Jason West’s Facebook page at Kotaku with the status update “Jason West is drinking. Also, unemployed.” I can confirm from a source that’s friends with West that update did actually come from West’s account.

West also updated his Linkedin profile to appears to reflect a change in employment. “President/Game Director/CCO/CTO Infinity Ward January 2001 – March 2010 (9 years 3 months)” While this doesn’t yet provide much insight into what actually happened at Infinity Ward, it confirms there are changes afoot at the Call of Duty developer. As soon as I know more, you’ll know more.

ORIGINAL STORY: Something’s h at Infinity Ward right now. A source close to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2developer just informed me that a “bunch of bouncer-types” just showed up outside of the Infinity Ward offices unannounced. When approached by employees, the non-uniformed “bouncers” were unwilling to disclose why they were there. “Everyone is on edge,” said my source.

Infinity Ward studio heads Vince Zampella and Jason West reportedly met with Activision this morning and have not been seen by Infinity Ward staff members since. My source did not delve into specifics, but described the relationship between Infinity Ward and Activision lately as “tense.”

The mood around the Infinity Ward offices is currently described as “freaked out” and “confused.” “We just wanna make our games,” said my source. I’ve contacted Activision for comment on the ongoing situation at Infinity Ward. Stay tuned.

Posted by Patrick Klepek The Feed

This week’s podcast includes:

• UF: 141′s List of Invited Clans
  • Its Frist Come First Server, the First 16 to respond get their Ticket, all others will be on stand by
• Special interview with Don Westbrook of www.hlxgaming.com
• Just the Facts by Sgt. Joe Friday

In this episode the Year begins:

• UF: 141 Details finally revealed
• Review of Mass Effect 2
• Review of Army of Two The 40th Day
• Hello Europe are you out there
• Final Prep for BradyGames
• and more!!!

With an exciting 2009 closing with an epic ending, we look towards 2010 (2K X) to be another hot edition of Urgent Fury.

As announced we start 2010 out by welcoming BradyGames as our 2010 Prize sponsor for many of the events coming up. Each member of an Event Championship team will receive their choice of a strategy guide. This is an great honor to have BradyGames on board.

December closed out both UF Black and UF Chosin with a bang, first Clan Uprising takes home their 2nd TacMap Championship crown with the completion of UF Chosin on PS3′s Socom Confrontation. This is a back to back title as they also took home the Gold in UF Chain Reaciton.

In an epic closing to UF Black 2009 Lettin Punk Know took home the Black Championship after a gruling Four Hour and 20 Minute battle agains Clan Uprising. It has been a long time since we have seen a Socom Battle Take 42 rounds to decide the victor. It was exciting to watch by the staff and myself. Congrats to both Clan Uprising and Lettin Punks Know for your 2009 Victories.

Now on to 2010, in the coming days Commander Fury will announce the first of four qualifying events scheduled for 2010. This is a new approach here at UF and should make for an exciting year. Without going in to much details as of yet, there will be two qualifying events UF 141 for Modern Warfare 2 (both PS3 and XBox 360) and UF Black for Socom Confrontation (for PS3). 16 teams will battle it out in these events for a guaranteed entry into Urgent Fury’s 2010 Invitational TacMap Tournaments scheduled to start Late Summer ”10.

As we have heard from the community the qualifying events will not overlap but run back to back. This ensures that clans will not be stressed to the gills trying to compete in multiple events.

Now don’t worry there will be several smaller events scheduled throughout the year to keep everyone busy. Start getting your calendars ready, so that you can pick which Qualifying Event you want to get in. Remember only 16 teams will be granted entry into each event, and repeating entries will only be allowed if needed.

In this special podcast:

• Special interview with LPK’s Meauxpack and MikeJaxon from Uprising
• Holiday Greetings from all
• UF: 141 breaks ground
• Socom DLC
• Modern Warfare 2
• and more…

The sequel to the best-selling first-person action game of all time, Modern Warfare 2 continues the gripping and heart-racing action as players face off against a new threat dedicated to bringing the world to the brink of collapse. The newest installment in the groundbreaking Call of Duty® series, Modern Warfare 2 features for the first time in video games, the musical soundtrack of legendary Academy Award®, Golden Globe® Award, Grammy® Award and Tony winning composer Hans Zimmer. The title picks up immediately following the historic events of Call of Duty® 4: Modern Warfare®, the blockbuster title that earned worldwide critical acclaim, including 14 million copies sold worldwide; “Most Played Online Video Game” in history, 2009 Guinness World Records; more than 50 Game of the Year awards, including the Console Game of the Year and Overall Game of the Year, 2007, from the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences®

Exclusive Console Gaming Community Announces 2010 Schedule for Scenario-Based Tournaments

December 2, 2010 Simpsonville, SC: Urgent Fury has released their 2010 season schedule. The coming year’s events will include two qualifying tournaments followed by a thirteen week invitational TacMap tournament. New to the 2010 line-up is Infinity Ward’s latest release, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
To win a coveted spot in Urgent Fury’s signature TacMap Invitational, teams will have to compete in one of two qualifying tournaments throughout the year. Titles featured will be Modern Warfare 2 for both Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 and Socom Confrontation for Playstation 3. The first qualifying event for Modern Warfare 2 is scheduled for February followed by Socom in April.

Urgent Fury is an online console-gaming community who has built its impeccable reputation by providing unique, intuitive, and exciting scenario-based TacMap style tournaments. Community members all echo the same sentiment, “Competing in Urgent Fury is not only a battle, its an intense, overwhelming experience.” UF co-owner Shane Bell credits Urgent Fury’s success to the “amazing members” that make up the community. “Our members are committed to playing in a cheat-free and respectful environment and do not tolerate any other way.”

Urgent Fury was founded in 2002 on the motto of “Win with Honor, Lose with Dignity.” With new teams being evaluated on gamesmanship, integrity, and fair game-play during Urgent Fury’s three week evaluation process known as Boot Camp, the community is able to maintain a highly successful tournament arena for like-minded console gamers. Urgent Fury can be found at www.urgentfury.com.

In a press release issued on Friday, November 27th, Activision-Blizzard, Inc. announced that it’s Call of Duty franchise has surpassed US $3 billion dollars in worldwide retail sales.

Read more… Call of Duty Franchise Surpasses $3 Billion In Revenue.

It was the biggest electronic entertainment release of 2009, and Urgent Frequency was there!

In this week’s transmission, Commander Fury teams up with Gamestop, Infinity Ward, and 500 of his closest friends, for a very special Midnight Warfare Nationwide Launch episode.

Recorded live, on location at one of the 4500 Gamestop stores nationwide hosting live events.
This unscripted, unedited broadcast captures the excitement surrounding the release of Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the former Game Of The Year, Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.

Despite the madness of a “live” transmission, Fury also manages to give us a fairly detailed Urgent Fury SITREP, while he eavesdrops on UF Co-Director AC.

All that, plus a giant TV, makes this a must hear Episode!

Urgent Fury is proud to announce Boot Camp. 

Unlike Hell Week, this is your clan’s opportunity to experience the ins and outs of an actual Urgent Fury tournament.  Boot Camp is also a chance for Urgent Fury Staff and Admins to evaluate your clan’s ability to follow the basic procedures required of a clan to compete in any of Urgent Fury’s intense tournaments.
Each month, orders will be issued to up to 16 new clans each for: 

1. XBOX 360 – Modern Warfare 2
2. Playstation 3 – Modern Warfare 2
3. Playstation 3 – Socom: Confrontation 

Matches will be: 

1. Tuesday and Thursday or
2. Monday and Wednesday

 All clans will be assigned to a Regiment.  Your clan’s regiment will be based on your clan’s assignment orders.

Clans will battle each other and veteran clans for three weeks.  Each week, Staff and Admins will conduct a review and communicate anything that needs to be addressed.  At the end of the three weeks, a final assessment will be made to determine if all basic requirements have been met and that your clan was able to “Win with Honor or Lose with Dignity.”

Get signed up now! 

If you are new to Urgent Fury, go to http://www.urgentfury.com/uf_forum/index.php#24  to pick your console and your game and enlist in the hottest Tournament Community on the WWW.

First Boot Camps are slated to begin December 2009.

From UF Director Ac

“Happy Birthday Commander Fury, and welcome back”

This episode includes:

• A rundown on UF Chosin and UF Black
• An Announcement about another Socom Tournament for 2009
• A Glimpse of Modern Warfare 2 from Robert Bowling
• The Return of the Urgent Frequency email survey goto www.urgentfury.com/podcast for the email link.

Go to www.urgentfury.com/podcast to listen.