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Fallout over 'Bethesda v. Interplay' remains unsettled
Unofficial Fallout community wiki the Vault has posted snippets and analysis of another batch of court documents, courtesy of site founder Paweł Dembowski (posting as Ausir), in the legal battle between Bethesda and Interplay over the latter's licensed, in-development Fallout Online MMO and rights to distribute pre-Fallout 3 titles from the franchise. If the absence of recent developments in the suit had you wondering if the two sides had settled cordially, forget about it. The excerpts are most certainly lacking in holiday spirit, as the fiery debate appears to wage on. According to the Vault, highlights from the new documents show Bethesda, which is the current Fallout IP owner, defending against Interplay's claims that it had denied the MMO developer rights to use "Fallout-related intellectual property assets." Bethesda maintains that it had licensed back to Interplay (the original IP owner) rights to the Fallout name only and not art assets, including the series' (literally) trademark Pip-Boy. In a separate document, Bethesda took to the offensive, demanding Interplay hand over the contents of its internal Fallout Online design wiki as court evidence. Interplay objected, calling the wiki a "trade secret document" and suggested Bethesda had repeatedly turned down offers to "inspect" the wiki outside of the courtroom. Interplay seems to have little choice but to fight on, even as it operated at a $205,000 loss in its June–September fiscal quarter. As Gamer/Law points out, the company is caught in a deadly gamble: Its future is dependant on completing Fallout Online for a planned 2012 release -- if the project doesn't get shut down by the courts first. On the bright side, Interplay won out in a separate lawsuit earlier this month against TopWare, concerning the latter's infringement upon Interplay's "Battle Chess" trademark. [Pictured: Fallout Online concept art]
Battle vs. Chess: trailer vs. your eyeballs
"Will you die a pawn or reign as king?" the latest Battle vs. Chess trailer asks. We have an even easier question to ask: will you watch this new trailer? It's as simple as clicking past the break.
Battle vs. Chess sets up September 28 release gambit
Southpeak has announced that its chess title, Battle vs Chess (which is totally not Battle Chess) is headed to PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on September 28. Much like Interplay's classic game of nearly the same name, Battle vs Chess lets players compete in the ancient strategy game using animated pieces. Battle vs Chess also includes several different gameplay modes, including a campaign mode and puzzle mode which house "over 50 puzzles and scenarios." Another mode allows players to manually place pieces, which can only be seen by the opponent after the game begins. The PC version will retail for $20, while the Xbox and PlayStation 3 versions will be available for $40. Meanwhile, the Wii, DS and PSP versions are slated to be released in the first quarter of 2011 with prices still under wraps for now.
Southpeak Games bringing Nail'd, Two Worlds 2 and more to PAX
Worried you weren't going to get Nail'd at this year's PAX Prime? Southpeak Games wants to assure you that you absolutely will -- more to the point, you can stop by the publisher's booth to get some hands-on time with upcoming MX/ATV racer Nail'd (you see what we did there?). Southpeak is also bringing Two Worlds 2, Battle Vs. Chess, and previously unheard of motorcycle racer SBK-X for attendees to check out. Also, if you're over 10 years old, you could try your hand at some Nail'd speed trials for a chance to win the 70cc Mini-Motocross Pit Bike pictured above. While it might not put you in the running for "Toughest Motocross Dude Ever," it's a totally adorable little motorcycle. Who could say no to that? A monster, that's who. And you're not a monster, right?
Battle vs. Chess coming this Fall to just about every platform
SouthPeak's infringement-skirting Battle vs. Chess has apparently been pushed back from its initial May launch window, according to a press release. And the fact that May's almost over and the game's not out yet. However, the game is now set to launch this Fall, and will be released for 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP and PC. So, like, everything except the iPhone and the Lynx. According to the presser, the game will include an "Action Mode," where pieces won't automatically kill one another in scripted animations, but will rather place players in a "beat-'em-up style encounter." Somewhere, Garry Kasparov is openly weeping.
Liked Battle Chess? Meet Battle vs. Chess
Battle vs. Chess appears to bring Battle Chess to a new generation, with a similar hook and a name that just skirts a potential copyright lawsuit. With "upbeat combat visuals & mechanics," the game sounds like a modern update of the classic chess game that let us watch chess pieces beat the stuffing out of each other. There don't appear to be any videos showing BvC's animations. The real draw of the original Battle Chess was each piece had a unique way of dispatching its foe -- a modern update would hopefully have more varied animations. The title is being developed for several platforms, including PC, Mac, DS, Wii and Xbox 360. Battle vs. Chess touts that it uses the Fritz! chess algorithm software and it is currently making moves for a May 2010 release.
