It looks like Blacksite designer Harvey Smith got that PR call after all:

Today, a Midway executive told ShackNews that Smith's speech at the conference was tantamount to a "public resignation."

Smith was working out of Midway's Austin studio. Midway Austin studio head Denise Fulton confirmed the designer's departure, but refused to discuss the cause, saying only that it was "by mutual agreement between Harvey and the studio."

Well, that's one way to quit a job. Personally I've always gone the writing-a-polite-letter route but I never cared much for giving speeches.

via GameLife