The legal battle over one of the biggest brands in the video game industry has leveled up.

Thirty-eight former and current employees of Infinity Ward — the Encino-based development studio that makes the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare video games for Activision Blizzard Inc. — have sued Activision, claiming they are owed between $75 million and $125 million in unpaid royalties.

Last month former Infinity Ward heads Jason West and Vince Zampella were fired by Activision and filed a $36-million suit against the Santa Monica publisher.

Many Infinity Ward employees have quit recently, including 21 plaintiffs in the new suit. Some joined West and Zampella's new firm, Respawn Entertainment.

The suit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Courtalleges that the publisher has withheld royalty payments for Modern Warfare 2 in order to keep employees from leaving before finishing work on Modern Warfare 3, planned for release in 2011.

An Activision spokesman said, "Activision retains the discretion to determine the amount and the schedule of bonus payments for [Modern Warfare 2] and has acted consistent with its rights and the law at all times."

ben.fritz@latimes.com

Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times

Street Fighter has to be the most recognizable franchise of all time. I still remember as a child of 11, getting fleeting glances of what Street Fighter was all about in smoky dark arcades in town. Of course we weren't allowed to enter those arcades because back then such entertainment was only available to those of 18 years old and beyond. Some of us were lucky enough to had an older brother who would sneak them in, or came across an arcade with less stringent policies about school uniforms and 'underage' gaming. So we circled around these fortunate ones and listen to their stories about the most orgasmic experience 20 cents could buy you those days.

Since this week's latest release is Super Street Fighter IV, I thought it would be nice to go down memory lane, and recap what an amazing game this was, and is.

The first Street Fighter game I've ever played was Street Fighter II. I found out a few years later that the version I played was doctored by a bunch of genius third party programmers who thought 'fireballing' with no delays was a good idea. Therefore, my first experiences weren't kind. I dismissed the game as barbaric and immature. It was designed for button mashers with no class or guile (see how I did that?). The stupid unwinable Guile's freezing whatever it was was a constant pain in the arse.

So I almost decided that Street Fighter, after all the stories I've heard from my so called 'learned' peers, was a shallow, meaningless game.

I was to be proven wrong. A friend of mine asked me to take a trip down to Kuala Pilah one fine weekend where a Street Fighter machine is to be found. And that it was an original code, no tampering by some 'genius' from Taiwan and it was in a video game shop, which meant, we could play it legally! So we went on that 1 hour bus ride from Jelebu to reach the sacred place. I was disapointed at first because it wasn't actually a real machine. It was Super Famicom rigged to a big screen and wooden slab joystick for two players. We didn't have to use 20 cents coins but paid for a whole hour. I believe it was 5 ringgit for an hour. We paid for two. We figured that since we made that long trip to Kuala Pilah, we might as well enjoy it to the fullest. That was probably the best day three of us have ever had. For KL folks, Arcade games like this is probably littered everywhere in shopping complexes back then. So it might be hard to imagine how ecstatic we were then, playing the game for hours (two in fact) for the first time, without a care in the world.

When I got my first Street Fighter on the MegaDrive, it was called Super Street Fighter II. The main difference between the code on the megadrive and the one on the SNES was that the MegaDrive was faster, so Turbo actually meant speed whilst on the SNES it was like turning off the AC in your Kancil to make it go a bit faster. However, the Megadrive couldn't make the SFX that the SNES could so voices were muffled and sounded a bit, shrill. But by then, I've had some practice due to my frequent visit to Kuala Pilah with my two best friends at the time. My parents were even suspecting me of taking drugs. So that by the time I arrived in England, I was the best Street Fighting Asian boy in the town of Loughborough, Leicester. Over in England, it was a common sight to see game shops with arcade games inside them. Most of the English boys were very bullish and their ego were crushed beneath my mighty quarter circling hands. I was pretty handy with Samurai Spirit too (Samurai Shodown in Japan) and pretty much cleaned house every evening after school. I have even been cornered at various places in school by boys who wanted me to play them; but by then I've already got myself a few bodyguards. My posse who protected my dainty Asian hands wherever I went.

But I was only good because they were very poor. Super Street Fighter II Turbo came out and by that time, everybody was playing the game and bringing out Akuma like it was second nature to them. This also meant that my popularity started to wane. But no matter, I enjoyed the fame while it lasted, for sure.

Since then, various versions of the great game had been released, Alpha (Zero), Alpha II, Puzzle, the successful versus series, Street Fighter III (which was good, but didn't push any boundaries), and the dreadful EX (Well, I hated it. It was clunky).  Honestly though, I can't say that I've ever been as excited about a game as I had been when SF4 was released last year. It brought back what we love about the game. The colours, the frustrations and the fun you could have playing with your best friends over a beat up SNES somewhere in Kuala Pilah.

In the previous article, I wrote about how those early RPG experiences really hooked me into the world of gaming. Silver, with its slick graphic and story; Soleil, the first proper JRPG I played; Secret of Mana - The closest thing I got to a Square masterpiece when I was young; and Chrono Cross - An excellent all round RPG.

In all these games, however, I felt there was one thing lacking. Perhaps it's because I was too young to appreciate all the nuances in the plot and the multilayered emotions at play. I was too young to appreciate how important good storytelling was, and the kind of relationship that forms between a gamer and the main character. That all changed, when I picked up a copy of undoubtedly, in my opinion, the best RPG, in the world.

Everyone, who has loved RPG in one way or another would not dare argue with me. This is, the definitive RPG. Yes, perhaps compared to next gen gaming the pixels are a bit outdated and its maddeningly cliche, but it has all the ingredients to make a perfect RPG. An RPG is first and foremost about the story. It has to have a really good story to tell. XII, as a lot of us fondly call it nowadays, had the best story of them all. Set in a steam punk setting with a backdrop of an evil corporation, what is there not to like? It's like Gotham City meets Akira.

And you have to love how the game is paced. I believe that this is the main reason why I love 7 and 8 more than any other Fianl Fantasies. Both games let you play the game in your own preferred pace. You can decide to play it slow, or rush your way to the end. RPGs should grow on you, not forced upon. There is always a need for players to learn about each character and bond with them before the final leg of the journey begins. That is why episodes like "Gold Saucer", "Tifa's Kidnapping" and various other mini plots are vital to this brilliant RPG. In a way, you know that there is a backbone to the whole thing. Something that holds it all together. But it doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this game the way you want to. The main reason why I am so frustrated with 13. Such a disapointment.

Here's a secret. Why is FF7 better than the others? It is quite simple really. Violence. Violence in video games is memorable. Aeris death? Sephiroth attack on Shinra? classic memories that stick in your head for ages. It's not saying that I condone violence in video games. I've forgotten half of the violent scenes in GOW3, but what I mean is violence where it matters. Sometimes, the bad guy is just not bad enough if he weren't a violent person. Violence is part of our reality. It connects our emotions together from sadness to piety. Violence works as much as love does. FF7 had both. touche.

Designing a game is like building a car. If you are making an RPG, make sure it FEELS like an RPG. The new cars have all these gadgets and security widgets that takes away the experience of actually driving one. New RPGs are so concerned about ensnaring new audiences that violence in the game is no longer tolerable. Square has also assumed that video gamers no longer need to think; linearity has taken over. Just press up and you'll get to the end. Funnily enough, even the new GOW3 didn't have challenges that perk up your brain. Maybe game developers have found out something that we haven't. Maybe the future generation of gamers really don't want to think. They just want to point guns at things and shoot them. No wonder FPS sell so well these days.

I wrote in a previous post that I wished I hadn’t sold off my Dragon Age: Origins and now desperately wanting to buy a copy off of somebody. A lot of gamers of my age will never fault a decently good RPG and I would like to say that this statement is true, until this day. RPG is to me, undoubtedly, the best genre in a video game…….. ever……. in the world.

So, in this slightly longer than usual article (I believe short blogposts or microblogging as they call it nowadays – are rubbish excuse for laziness) I am going to list down some RPGs which have made my life as I was growing up, a lot better. You may not have played or seen any of these games as they were on a few different formats but a quick google would lead you straight to them. This is not a list of “Best RPGs ever etc etc”. It’s a personal list so bear with me if you please.

1. SILVER (PC)

Atari, Spiral House, 1999.

What a game this was! I played this game on my Pentium II 200 PC in my uni dorm room, circled by about 3 or 4 RPG enthusiasts. Silver was a unique PC RPG as it was one of the first RPG released exclusively on the PC, Dreamcast and Macintosh with strong Japanese RPG roots. It was released after FF7 got ported to the PC – Remember the 7 discs or something you had to install? I have to say, this is a great classic that a lot of people should play. Some great features of this game was the way you control the sword movements using your mouse, different slashes and clicks will perform different moves. Almost like a precursor to the wii! Except its wired lol.

Memorable moments: The amount of fun my friends and I had figuring out how to defeat each boss and cleaning the mouse tracking ball for smoother slashing moves. It was a game played by one, but enjoyed by many.

2. SOLEIL (SEGA Megadrive)

SEGA, 1994.

I got a Megadrive while I was living in England and envied my SNES owning friends to bits as I have always wanted one myself. My dad decided to pacify my gaming needs by buying the wrong console for my birthday (but don’t worry, later on I would eventually get a SNES). The thing about owning a SNES was the luxury of having a ton of RPGs to play. SEGA, however has a very limited number of RPGs at the time. Soleil is one of the game available on the cheap and since those days, you didn’t have the internet to check on reviews, I decided to get one. Fortunately, the game was a good one. It was unique and quirky. You control a hero who is aided by cute animals that would grant you special abilities (think cute GFs) as you play the game. Unfortunately, you can only control one hero throughout the game, so it is a little dull after a while. The storyline is simple but probably more suited to players around 13 years old. I was 14 at the time, so give or take.

Memorable moments: Getting stuck on a quest and having to restart the game all over again as it was a glitch. But persevered! It taught me that when you hit a dead end, retrace your steps and you’ll figure it out.

3. Chrono Cross (Playstation)

Square, 2000

Before Square was Square-Enix, they made great games. The original Final Fantasy series, the Mana series and ultimately the Chrono Series. Chrono Trigger on the SNES was one of the sought after JRPGs. It was even declared to be one of the best on the 16 bit system. I, unfortunately, never got the opportunity to play Chrono Trigger on the Playstation so I was thrilled when I heard about Chrono Cross. This is a really big game. The number of playable characters is massive and with each character the expansion of your quests keep growing bigger and bigger. It is impossible to enjoy this game to its fullest without a game book and I immediately bought one. It was my first strategy guide. With the trusty book at my side, I ploughed through each quest and collected almost all the hidden characters in the game. It was one of the most industrious times in my gaming life. Unfortunately, the main protagonist, Serge was a little lifeless and boring to play. He didn’t have the pull that some of the others have.

Memorable moments: The first fight tutorial and trying to understand the elements and the colours and the wtf! Taught me that if you that books will always matter even with us having the internet and everything. In the end, all the answers will still be in books.

4. Secret of Mana (SNES)

Square, 1993

This has to be the game that got me hooked to RPGs. Before owning this game, I often frequented to my neighbour’s house. He already had a copy and we continuously played the last level (you know the one before you go and meet the biggest boss) over and over again to level up. The key word here is: ‘WE’. Yes, this is probably the first ever Multiplayer co-op RPG. You should thank Square for your WoWs. In this game, you can link up to three players using a multi-tap converter. Each player controls one character on-screen and plays it independently. Previous Square games relied on the slow turn-based system, but for Secret of Mana, its all active combat. You see it, you slash it. Super moves are executed by charging the attack button up to level 8 which unleashes a very powerful attack. You can also cast buffs and debuffs on you characters. You collect magic by traveling to temples and palaces around the world and liberating tiny magical creatures called Elementals. This game is romantic and envisages Square’s ability to tell fantastic stories. Shame about what had happened in the last few years.

Memorable moments: Flying on a white dragon to reach parts of the map. First experience of 3D gaming for me! I learned never to underestimate the SNES.

Have to get back to work now.

To be continued...

Here's a thought. I was browsing through the WTS thread and found that somebody was selling Dragon Age : Origins! Has to be one of my favourite game of all time. I decided to sell it off almost as soon as I completed it because I was anticipating the upcoming release of Final Fantasy xiii. Now that Final Fantasy xiii has turned out to be a bit of a bombshell, I am starting to miss my old Dragon Age game again. I wish that I could have it back, right now.

The thing I like about Dragon Age is how immense the game world is, and the fact that you can customize your character into anything you wanted; makes it more personal and meaningful. It's like baking your own cake, and eating it too. There is also the never ending list of quests that I could have done. I'm pretty sure I did a large part of it, but when I snooped around the net, it turns out that I had barely scratched the surface. It baffles me how they could cram all that into a single disc. I am tempted to go and get the copy of DA just for the fun of it. To have it in my collection next to the games I will never sell, Metal Gear Solid 4 and strangely enough, Fight Night 4.