Registered: Jul 2000
Location: I am everywhere, and I am nowhere.
Posts: 1184

Posted by IceFire:

Well, some interesting information over the last couple of days has been coming out about the future of Interplay, now in the hands of Titus. Here's what Blues News had to say:

Titus Signs U.S. Deal with Vivendi on The Adrenaline Vault has the announcement of a deal between French developer Titus and "media giant Vivendi Universal," while even more detail can be found in an article titled Vivendi to distribute Interplay titles on EuroGamer, which has the latest word on how this impacts the future of troubled publisher Interplay (story), saying: "This means the end of Interplay as a publisher, with their entire marketing and distribution staff set to join the dozens of other employees who were laid off earlier in the summer as Interplay plunged ever deeper into debt."


And then another news post:


More news on the fate of Interplay to follow-up on yesterday's reports that Titus would end up in control of the troubled game publisher (story) as a result of a deal they signed with Vivendi Universal (story). According to a report on MCV: "The veteran US publisher has appointed Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing as its distributor in North America, although it appears that at present Titus will continue to handle the firm's line-up in Europe." The report goes on with a quote from Titus: "Titus' joint founder Eric Caen has confirmed to MCV that Interplay will retain its development and publishing autonomy within the group." Meanwhile EuroGamer reports that CBS and Reuters incorrectly stated the deal mentioned yesterday was between Titus and Vivendi, when it was actually between Vivendi and Interplay (the business world can be so exciting), which means Titus will have a contract to honor, even if it manages to take control of Interplay's board next month (which is pretty much a given, as they are now the majority shareholder in the company). The EuroGamer story goes on with some apparently informed speculation that there is another possible twist in this case that could till give Interplay a spiteful last laugh:

Obviously not content with this spoiling move, our sources are now reporting that Interplay has filed to say that its shareholders want the company wound up! This could mean that when Titus gets hold of the reins in September the company will already be in Chapter 11 receivership. Somebody at Interplay obviously doesn't like the fox...


Goto Blues News for additional stories and information.

Never say never, but with all of the ramifications of this recent confusion, its possible that developers like Volition will have the rights to their games fall back into their hands. This is purely speculation and im not a legal interpreter, but you never know. Thanks to Zarathud, one of communities senior members for passing on this information.

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