In an [URL=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/activision-lands-next-game-from-halo-development-studio.html]LA Times article[/URL] detailing Bungie's 10-year deal with Activision, it was revealed that Infinity Ward founders Jason West and Vincent Zampella were looking for a similar deal with Activision when talks broke down - according to sources familiar with the situation. Instead, Activision fired both of them (for breach of contract for forming Respawn) and they eventually settled on a deal with Electronic Arts.

Bungie, for its part, shopped around before making the deal with Activision, though it was slightly concerned that the trouble between the publishers and its former charges might over shadow it. The company not only approached big publishers, but also giant (and unnamed) media conglomerates.

Source: [URL=http://www.nowgamer.com/news/3053/la-times-iw-wanted-bungie-style-deal]NowGamer[/URL].

[url=http://www.gamepolitics.com/2010/04/30/la-times-west-and-zampella-wanted-bungie-style-deal]More...[/url]