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General : Bethesda to Sue Interplay over Fallout
Posted Sep 14, 2009 by Michael Bitton
It's not only the issue of the Fallout MMO that's got Bethesda's feathers ruffled with Interplay. According to a story being reported over at Gamasutra, Bethesda is suing Interplay for allegedly being in breach of the agreements the two companies signed in April of '07.
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Part of the aforementioned agreements stated that Interplay would be allowed to sell pre-existing Fallout games such as Fallout, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics, provided that they sent all marketing materials (packaging, advertising, etc) to Bethesda for pre-approval. These stipulations were put in place by Bethesda to avoid consumers being confused as to who is the developer of Fallout 3, which Bethesda claims is now occurring due to the fact that Interplay did not seek pre-approval for these materials. Due to these claims Bethesda is asking for injunctions against Interplay's sale, manufacture, and distribution of pre-existing Fallout games.
More relevant to the MMOG aspect of this story is the fact that Bethesda is also looking to terminate their trademark licensing agreement for the Fallout IP with Interplay. Following Bethesda's purchase of the Fallout IP from Interplay, the IP was licensed back to Interplay towards the development of a Fallout MMOG, however there were some stipulations. One such stipulation was that Interplay would be required to be in full-swing development by April 4th, 2009, which Bethesda contended earlier this year was not the case.
If a decision is made in Bethesda's favor, Interplay will no longer be allowed to develop a Fallout MMOG, and will be required to pay legal fees and damages to Bethesda.
Via Gamasutra.
I know at least a couple of Fallout fansites that will be laughing their asses off at this news
. Honestly, Interplay is crap anyway, and the day they signed that deal with Bethesda was basically just starting the countdown before a lawsuit came about.
Too bad, now i don't like Bethesda as much as used too.
I just love Interplay for what they did for RPG genre, they were really pioneers and inovators, and if it wasn't for Black Isle we wouldn't have the quality RPGs we get today. Just remember that it was Interplay's Black Isle division who CREATED Fallout, also they made such beautiful pieces of RPG gaming art as Baldur's Gate, Planescape Torment, Icewind Dale, etc.
Shame on Bethesda!
but i think everyone knew this was coming . personally i did not rate fallout 3 and highly as the others .
I consider both Bethesda and Interplay to be among the better studio. No matter who wins this it will be a blow to the gaming community.
Interplay is a publishing house for those games.
Baldur's Gate was developed by Bioware ;-) Planescape Torment and Icewind Dale were developed by Black Isle (which was a division of Interplay).
However, Interplay's gross mismanagement of their marketing as well as their notoriety for being a horrible company to work for ensured their financial failure, facilitating the sell off of most of their most famed IPs. It was a shame because Interplay released some classic games which sadly failed commercially because Interplay didn't know how to market them.
Bethesda purchased the Fallout IP off Interplay more as a gesture of good will than anything else. There are quite a few developers on Bethesda's team who worked on the original Fallout games under Black Isle. When Bethesda purchased the IP, they licensed back the rights to an MMOG with certain stipulations that were agreed by BOTH parties. As well as that, other stipulations that would see the Fallout franchise marketed in a sensible manner were agreed to. This was a bone on Bethesda's part. They clearly wanted to help Interplay out as much as they could at the time. However, they are a business and in the business world, there are lines that must be drawn even if that is hard thing to do.
It is not hidden knowledge that (a) Interplay haven't secured the fund for or started full development on the Fallout MMO and (b) they have not kept the agreement to run marketing material past Bethesda to ensure proper management of the IP. This is the same mismanagement that got them into the situation they are in right now. Why would Bethesda allow an IP that they adopted to be raped by Interplays unique ability to totally screw up in all regards? It would be suicide.
So Bethesda have taken the only sensible action. Firstly, they are suing to ensure the survival of the famed franchise. It is better it rests in Bethesda's hand than Interplays hands. Bethesda will likely move the publication and distribution of Fallout 1 and 2 to ZeniMax and offer a bundle of Fallout 1, 2 and 3 including DLC and Limited Edition content, bringing new products to the market to expand the franchise' player base. That's a good thing. Secondly, ZeniMax Online is already working on an engine for The Elder Scrolls Online. Considering the Oblivion Engine was used for Fallout 3, it is likely that Zeniax Online will take on the Fallout MMOG license and begin development using the same engine as they are developing right now. It'll probably be a while before we see a Fallout MMOG out of ZeniMax Online (5+ years at best) but that once again is a good thing ;-)
And before you start shouting about how Bethesda are bastards, remember that they have recently licensed Obsidian - a studio that consists of (mostly) Black Isle staff - to make a new Fallout game. In effect, Black Isle have got the franchise back... at least for a short while.
It is true that Interplay were once on the forefront of the RPG genre. However, what they were then and what they are now are worlds apart. This action by Bethesda was probably not proposed on a whim because every action on Bethesda's part up until now has implied that they wanted to help Interplay as much as they could.
Hrm. I'd have to say... I hope Bethesda wins.
Then again, I'd like to see what Bethesda does with an Arcanum II. Interplay had their time... it was in the ninties. I haven't seen much out of them, lately, that fits the attitude they had back then; Bethesda still seems to have it and was an okay to mid-level B-plus heir to the throne. I'm willing to say "let the heir continue to streach their wings," as I'd like to see more results (Fallout 3's original ending did annoy me, but the feeling was right up until that point).
In short, all dynasties eventually fail; I'd say this decade (and, maybe next) belongs to BioWare and Bethesda.
That, and, me wants me a Fallout MMO.
(and a Privateer/Elite MMO... Firefly MMO.... erm.... descent Star Wars MMO... Fading Suns MMO... Buck Rodgers-TV MMO, hrm....)
Edit: Infalible said what I meant to say, and more elloquently whilst I was considering what to type. Interplay has had multiple chances... and, if you want to know what the programmers who used to work thier think about how the company was managed; play some of their games when they went to other studios. There is a line in both of Troika's games, for instance, that fill in that information. Long story short? Games were cool, programmers were cool, the company messed up.
I really want to see a graph of Fallen Earth's sales at the end of the quarter, I wonder how many people that were waiting for the Fallout MMO went and bought FE once it was cancelled... for now. I think I may be among those, although I planned on checking out FE anyways.
We don't need a Fallout MMO. They need to keep creating awesome Rpgs like the Elderscrolls series and Fallout 3.
FO3 was an amazing game I can't wait for the next installment.
I feel the sameway about Bioware. those guys need to leave mmos alone and keep making fantastic Rpgs stupid idiots took my possible Kotor 3 and made it a damn WoWclone mmo.
Never liked any of the games by Bethesda. Hope they burn.
Do you get kicks out of being a complete idiot or what?
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The next Fallout game is by Obsidian, not Bethesda :-P It'll be average at best lol
I totally agree. It's not the IP that makes the MMO but rather the features and their execution of those features that create a long term entertaining game that appeals to a large enough customer base that is finicially positive.
Although the long standing MMO companies do not have a very good tract record. Daoc to Warhammer, Everquest to EQ 2 , AO to AOC. Really there is not many MMO Dev companies that have a track record of success. On the other hand maybe it is best to keep doing what you do if you are considered the best in single/multiplayer RPGs. The only MMO companies I would trust will pulling off a 2nd successful game and I have no solid proof but mere hunch would be Blizzard, Arenanet and CCP games all of which are making a 2nd mmo which has yet to be released.
Just give me a Fallout 3 multiplayer 4 player co-op and millions more will play it. Not sure why people think every good ip needs to be a mmo.
Do you get kicks out of being a complete idiot or what?
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The next Fallout game is by Obsidian, not Bethesda :-P It'll be average at best lol
You mad, brah? Just because I didn't like your favourite shitty casual games means I'm an idiot?
Not everyone does think that a good IP needs to be an MMO.
However, in the case of RPGs like Fallout 3, the IP - including setting, story etc - lends itself to an MMO quite well. It would not be hard to take Fallout and translate it into an MMO. However, I a a great advocate of the idea that a franchise needs to be set up to successfully translate into an MMO. uch like Blizzard used Warcraft 3 to set up the back story of Warcraft to better suit a duel-faction MMO, Bethesda would need to create a telling back story that would create a situation where the conditions of an MMO - tens of thousands of people running around the wasteland, killing mobs, each other, doing quests etc - prior to actually releasing the MMO.
You mad, brah? Just because I didn't like your favourite shitty casual games means I'm an idiot?
No. What makes you an idiot is your need to make your opinion known even when it does not lend itself to the discussion at hand ;-) That's what makes you - and will always make you - a complete, total and utter idiot. That and your inability to understand why you are being called an idiot. However, you seem to be unreasonably arrogant so I'm going to assume that you will never accept my reasoning and will instead substitute it for you own brand of Internet stupidity.
Not everyone does think that a good IP needs to be an MMO.
However, in the case of RPGs like Fallout 3, the IP - including setting, story etc - lends itself to an MMO quite well. It would not be hard to take Fallout and translate it into an MMO. However, I a a great advocate of the idea that a franchise needs to be set up to successfully translate into an MMO. uch like Blizzard used Warcraft 3 to set up the back story of Warcraft to better suit a duel-faction MMO, Bethesda would need to create a telling back story that would create a situation where the conditions of an MMO - tens of thousands of people running around the wasteland, killing mobs, each other, doing quests etc - prior to actually releasing the MMO.
I can see it now, kill 10 radroaches and receive 50 caps,10 roach meat and 500xp.
You mad, brah? Just because I didn't like your favourite shitty casual games means I'm an idiot?
No. What makes you an idiot is your need to make your opinion known even when it does not lend itself to the discussion at hand ;-) That's what makes you - and will always make you - a complete, total and utter idiot. That and your inability to understand why you are being called an idiot. However, you seem to be unreasonably arrogant so I'm going to assume that you will never accept my reasoning and will instead substitute it for you own brand of Internet stupidity.
Wow, I sure am stupid! I thought forums were a place to discuss things, happenings or stuff(or whatever word you think fits better) by posting your opinions and/or facts about the subject at hand. And really, insulting on the internet because I don't agree with your opinion(s)? If it makes you feel better, you can call me anything you want. Cheerio!
You know, the Bethesda dev team seemed like pretty cool people in the making of movies and articles. I hope they have a plan in place for the game to be developed by another team.
There are a lot of people looking forward to this particular IP becoming a MMOG.
Yes, because the statement, "Never liked any of the games by Bethesda. Hope they burn," really lends to the discussion, right?
And I didn't insult you because you had a conflicting opinion. I insulted you because you presented that opinion with the tact of an angry badger and offered no insight into why you had that opinion. You didn't want to trigger or contribute to a discussion. You just want to troll Bethesda ;-) Thus, you were referred to as an idiot, which you quite clearly are.
Bethesda got the Fallout IP, they killed the ip doing a crap money sucker expansion based in the even crappier "windows live" game, and they now trying to get ready to ruin any chance of a Fallout decent mmo to see the day.
Tbh, and i doubt i am alone here, most of the work bethesda been doing is crap. First games [ Elder scrolls series etc ] were full of bugs and bad games engineering options, were frustating and that has been bethesda way of doing things till this day.
Even Fallout3 was buggy as hell with the extra feature of totally ruinning the IP by radically changing the game system.
I really hope Interplay will win, Interplay has been around for a while, launching amazing games that fill our gaming past and present with wonderful memories and dreams.
Interplay needs to bring Earthworm Jim to save them !
Yes, because the statement, "Never liked any of the games by Bethesda. Hope they burn," really lends to the discussion, right?
And I didn't insult you because you had a conflicting opinion. I insulted you because you presented that opinion with the tact of an angry badger and offered no insight into why you had that opinion. You didn't want to trigger or contribute to a discussion. You just want to troll Bethesda ;-) Thus, you were referred to as an idiot, which you quite clearly are.
I think this person is abusive and deserves a warning or a temporary ban. Moderator?
I doubt that anyone would say they killed the IP ;-) Perhaps hardcore, purist fan boys of the original games will say that they did but it's hardly true. What they did do was create a brand new Fallout game which went in a different direction and created a mass market fan base that will benefit from the new direction of the Fallout franchise whilst the original fan boys all huddle in a corner, crying about the whole situation. Majority > minority. Basic maths :-P
Maybe Bethesda can do more with the Fallout IP now.
I played the crap out of Fallout and Fallout 2. Gods, but did I ever. Found the crashed UFO (velvet Elvis picture and all), got the car. They were excellent games, and Black Isle was an excellent studio. Interplay was not an excellent publisher, but oh well. I didn't care so much back then. So then Bethesda bought the Fallout license. I worried. Would they be able to do a 'real' Fallout game? I decided to wait to buy it. Finally I did get it. I was not disappointed. FO3 is IMNVHO entirely as good as the first ones. Is it the same game? No, but then time has kinda run away from the isometric turn based RPG a bit. It has its flaws - what game doesn't? But I can live with those. Moving the action to D.C. was a stroke of genius. The story itself feels eminently Fallout-esque, and the game system, while changed, fits very well.
I honestly do not get what people are complaining about here!
This news tells me that what is really happening is that the secret MMORPG Bethesda is developing is non other than Fallout Online.
Bethesda knew that Interplay wouldn't be able to start developing the game by April 09 (as by the contract) therefore they were already developing the MMO waiting for April 09 when the IP would have got back to them.
Unfortunately Interplay played a nasty trick on them, they signed Masthead Studios (Earthrise) to develop the game.......... ONE DAY before the contract deadline.
Now because technically Interplay started developing the game, Bethesda won't be able to get their IP back and their secret MMO will have to be kept on hold, so they are quite pissed off.
To be honest as much I respect Masthead for what they are trying to do with Earthrise, I doubt that they will be able to handle a hot IP like Fallout.
Fallout Online should be developed by the Masters of RPGs, Bethesda.
I am waiting ages for a MMO made by them, I thought they would develope Elder Scroll online, but I am sure they could do a good job with Fallout too, plus the world could do with a MMO with different setting than Fantasy.
I Hope Bethesda wins, Interplay is history.
This is the forum equivalent of running home to mommy. Pathetic.
This is the forum equivalent of running home to mommy. Pathetic.
Ok then... Imbecile.
This is the forum equivalent of running home to mommy. Pathetic.
And this, then, is the forum equivalent of not knowing why forums have moderators. Abusive behaviour is not something to cultivate, anywhere.
Although, I prefer to simply use the 'report' link, and not post about it unless I myself am directly involved. It's, well, cleaner.
Really Bethesda is a developer without any creativity, why? after playing daggerfall and morrowind they make the the ES 4 the same way and with was not as good, then they make FO 3 same way, bethesda have a huge problem they don't change, they stay the same and it get real boring real fast, FO3 I don't even feel like playing anymore, its was not even fun. other problem with bethesda is they leave everything to they player base make the game any good because they are weak to even fix they own bugs, I remember pretty well with ES 4, it was impossible to play till I get some basic mods(the ones to fix all the performance issues and other bugs) plus more quests. and I don't know why some poeple defend bethesda they don't worth anyone care about then just because they make one or 2 games good don't mean they are gods, and interplay is almost death anyway so its would be like kicking a death dog now.
a for the dude who says bethesda said they bought FO of good will, no one do things for good will, in business it always have other things behind.
I used to love Interplay AND Bethseda but now? I laugh at how stupid they both are.
Ever since Bethseda changed their CEO and that corrupt bullshit happened they have been weird ever since. They are so shadey, it's horrible. Interplay? They fired Black Isle Studios! Wtf? They made Bladurs Gate, Black and White, Fallout, Etc Etc, you all know what they made. They made AMAZING games. In fact they were 93%+ done with Fallout 3 and i was so excited for THEIR version of Fallout 3. I like Fallout 3 for the 360 but it went from a 9/10 to a 7/10 just because Bethseda bought them out. Honestly Bethseda the ONLY reference to Fallout was Vaults, Brotherhood, Pipboy and their armor. They should of changed those animations and made it something different like "End of the World" or some obvious aftermath name.
Also what are they thinking? The ONLY reason they are suing them is becuase they want to be the only people making Fallout, they are greedy and corrupt. It's a shame that this goes on nowadays with video game companies so much, it used to not be like this (as much).
I am going into the field, and it just shows me which companies to never work with. Especially if you are done with a game and a studio fires your entire studio and sells it to a different one. They MADE fallout (black isle), it was their baby, if you have ever made a project just imagine how Black Isle feels about all that, and because of the law they can't do anything even though it is really their projects.
However now Fallout is being made a mockery because Bethseda wants something that they know would be a good investment. Interplay screwed themselves over, they sold their most well known studio and now are getting sued.
This makes me quite sad.
P.S. if you don't do your research and look at the change of management in Bethseda and look at what happened to Black Isle and Interplay, please don't try to reply to this shit. I read some of your guys responses and you have no clue what is going on. If you don't know the facts, don't open your mouth (or type them out).
fuck fallout, bethesda needs to make an elder scrolls mmo
Whatever. I don't think Interplay can come up with the resources (Money) to finish what they've started and Bethesda doesn't have the talent to make anything but another derivative MMO. The only reason Bethsoft is even interested using the Fallout setting for an MMO is because The Elder Scrolls is essentially the same stuff that's been done to death by at least a dozen other companies. If it weren't for the lure of the WoW cash cow, both companies would have the sense to realize that Fallout, the setting and everything that made the game so appealing, is the very definition of the Anti-MMO.
Fallout 3 is a complete disaster. Over-rated, over-hyped game which is nothing then an average shooter with some RPG elements. It's full of bugs and BAD design. It has nothing to do with previous Fallouts (1 & 2) I love so much. I only hope, if Zenimax will win the IP, that the development of Fallout Online will NOT be under Bethesda's game designers supervision, but Obsidian's.
Win or lose, nothing good is going to come from it in my opinion...
The Black Isle Studios that gave us classics like the old Fallout games and Planescape: Torment is no more. Minds like Chris Avellone and Chris Jones are over at Obsidian now, today's Interplay is not the same people that made those games. So I see Interplay making a Fallout MMO as no different from some random development house making it.
As for Bethesda, I'm not a fan. To me, Fallout 3 played like a really clunky FPS and the gameworld was... well, I crave those touches of originality in games, like Bioware keeps on delivering. I find both the Elder Scroll series and Fallout 3 severely lacking in this regard. It's almost like they're the Jack Higgings of the gaming world or something. :) I feel a Fallout MMO by Bethesda would play exactly like you'd imagine, and to me that'd not be a good thing.
I'd really prefer a post-apocalyptic MMO from a company experienced in FPS gaming. Like Valve or ID.
I totally agree on this statement but...
If there is maybe one company that can be a serieus contender agains blizzard its bethesda not only can make superb rpg's they also have the funds and abillity to compete witha blizzard if they make a mmo.
Bioware's move to make a starwars mmo in style of WoW is a big mistake and terible thought with EA behind it bah:(
But i rather see Bethesda continuing with normal rpg's then make mmo's.
you do realize, that Bioware made Baldurs Gate, Lion Gate(not sure if he was part of Lion Gate when he did) but to be more specific Peter Molynux made Black and White... and yeah get your facts straight...