Ex-Infinity Ward heads have â??the Midas touchâ??

Lazard Capital Markets investment bank and equity research firm has published a report praising the potential of EA’s signing of Jason West and Vince Zampella.

The former Infinity Ward heads, now working under the studio title Respawn Entertainment, will still own future IP they create. EA will likely contribute development funds from the outset to new projects.

[TIMELINE – INFINITY-GATE]

The report states that developers “appear to have the Midas touch” in generating studio returns. It suggests EA will receive no instant performance boosts from the appointments, but that over the long term EA’s future is positive.

It goes on to state that EA can expect solid results for the fourth fiscal quarter, above Wall Street expectations. It points to the popularity of Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and “limited hardware supplies at retail” as reasons for this forecast.

Eight years ago, West and Zampella spearheaded development of hit title Medal of Honor: Allied Assault for EA before leaving to join Activision and create the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise.