Seems like Atari have been screwing over Turbine badly the last 3 years and finally Turbine had enough. It explains why there have been so much trouble with DDO and why they had to delay the launch of DDO:Unlimited

Here is a short article

"Atari’s conduct as described herein not only constitutes a breach of its obligations
under the Agreements, but also constitutes actionable fraud. By this lawsuit, Turbine seeks to
recover in excess of $30 million in losses occasioned by Atari’s breach and wrongful conduct.
Turbine also seeks a declaration that Atari’s claim for additional royalty fees and purported
grounds for termination of the parties’ Agreements are unfounded and without basis in the
Agreements."

From the filing: http://www.courthousenews.com/2009/08/26/Atari.pdf

Its a very interesting read!

<grabs popcorn>

I hear that Atari will ask the judge to dismiss the lawsuit because turbine lost it's saving throw

I just have to say... what took them so long? Seems like they should have done this within six months after DDO launched.

Originally posted by Redline65

I just have to say... what took them so long? Seems like they should have done this within six months after DDO launched.

Because Atari is now trying to revoke the licensing for D&D.

Only Turbine and Atari could take what should have been a "slam dunk" with DDO and build the mediocre game that it is. They deserve each other.

Yummy, agreement breach drama, looks like DDO will be facing some bad weather.

Pretty shady from Atari to pull the revenue model card after it's all complete and gold, heh.

Makes me wonder where the shady stuff on CO really comes from, Atari or Cryptic.

Wow.  If turbine can prove those allegations that is not good for Atari.

If they can prove it... is $30 million too little?

Interesting about the publishing and distribution (incl marketing).  I wonder what the agreement was exactly?
In any case, looks like Atari already admitted that they had not met those obligations based on the agreement to let Turbine assume more of the responsibility there?

Actually, why isn't Turbine trying to get the rights to D&D as well as / instead of $30 million?
Can yo do that in the U.S.?  Or are they hoping for an out of court deal where Atari hand over the rights?

Originally posted by Gyrus

Wow.  If turbine can prove those allegations that is not good for Atari.

If they can prove it... is $30 million too little?

 

Interesting about the publishing and distribution (incl marketing).  I wonder what the agreement was exactly?
In any case, looks like Atari already admitted that they had not met those obligations based on the agreement to let Turbine assume more of the responsibility there?

 

Actually, why isn't Turbine trying to get the rights to D&D as well as / instead of $30 million?
Can yo do that in the U.S.?  Or are they hoping for an out of court deal where Atari hand over the rights?

Heh someone on the DDO forum posted that Atari is worth about $22 millions so maybe Turbine could take over the company if the win :p

Well, I think Atari is worth more than that - in IP property (not cash)

So, the law suit might force Atari to sell off / release the IP rights on some very important stuff which they have simply been sitting on.

That would be a good thing.

You know maybe after seeing so much "Sues" on these forums lately..I wonder if some developer will make a game.How to screw your own neighbor..

Gamasutra article on the same topic:

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=24997

MMO developer Turbine this week sued game publisher Atari for breach of contract, fraud, and other counts, accusing the publisher of purposely pulling back support of Turbine-operated Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach in favor of a forthcoming internally-developed D&D MMO.
 

So it's true after all.

Yeh Atari's market cap is $22.6 Million, so turbine is gonna hit them hard.

Originally posted by Czzarre

<grabs popcorn>

I hear that Atari will ask the judge to dismiss the lawsuit because turbine lost it's saving throw

LOL, perhaps this is due to Turbine being only 2HD company while Atari is a 4HD company.  Clever Czzarre, very clever.

I wonder if this will effect Champions or Star Trek??

Originally posted by Isturi

I wonder if this will effect Champions or Star Trek??

I'm going to assume that it most certainly will. Atari has a big investment in Cryptic since they acquired them in "a performance-linked deal."

Originally posted by Redline65

I just have to say... what took them so long? Seems like they should have done this within six months after DDO launched.

bingo you said exactly my thinking

Originally posted by Varsheva

Only Turbine and Atari could take what should have been a "slam dunk" with DDO and build the mediocre game that it is. They deserve each other.

true!lets do a money pot for their wedding ring(turbine&atari)

Originally posted by drbaltazar

Originally posted by Redline65

I just have to say... what took them so long? Seems like they should have done this within six months after DDO launched.

bingo you said exactly my thinking

revoking the licensing, they had no lawsuit until Atari tried to screw them over lol.

Originally posted by Gyrus

Wow.  If turbine can prove those allegations that is not good for Atari.

If they can prove it... is $30 million too little?

 

Interesting about the publishing and distribution (incl marketing).  I wonder what the agreement was exactly?
In any case, looks like Atari already admitted that they had not met those obligations based on the agreement to let Turbine assume more of the responsibility there?

 

Actually, why isn't Turbine trying to get the rights to D&D as well as / instead of $30 million?
Can yo do that in the U.S.?  Or are they hoping for an out of court deal where Atari hand over the rights?

those right are worth a lot.and what will probably happen is both company will back on the hand brake in court for decade to come and when its all finish both company wont have enough for a stick of gum at dollars store

Originally posted by TheStarheart

Originally posted by drbaltazar

Originally posted by Redline65

I just have to say... what took them so long? Seems like they should have done this within six months after DDO launched.

bingo you said exactly my thinking

 

revoking the licensing, they had no lawsuit until Atari tried to screw them over lol.

he meant turbine should have sued atari 6 month after lunch not 2 or 3 years after.