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Original Fallout and Planescape: Torment dev Black Isle Studios re-opens [updated]
The studio that created classics like Fallout and Planescape: Torment may be rising from the ashes – at least in name. A website for Black Isle Studios popped up with the image you see above and a mailing list signup, as NeoGAF discovered. There's also a Twitter account and a Facebook page tied to the website, and if you sign up for the mailing list, Black Isle is said to be a "a division of Interplay."InXile's Brian Fargo doesn't seem to be involved, as he tweeted, "I just read that Interplay is bringing back Black Isle. Hmmm... Not enough info for me to comment." We've already reached out to Obsidian – where many ex-Black Islers went when the studio shut down in 2003 – and have yet to hear back.Update: Interplay CEO and entrepreneur Herve Caen is behind the resurrection of Black Isle, we're told. The studio's website is also registered to Interplay, per WHOIS search. It's unclear who – if anyone – from the original Black Isle staff is involved with the studio.Update 2: Obsidian tells Joystiq that the new Black Isle, "Doesn't involve Obsidian at all." We've yet to hear back from Interplay or Herve Caen.Update 3: Obsidian creative lead Chris Avellone says on Twitter, "I know nothing about the Black Isle Studio news announcement, doesn't involve me or Obsidian... or well, anyone that I know. ;)"
Interplay says Bethesda turned down chance to purchase Fallout MMO
reddit_url = "http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/"; reddit_target="gaming"; Tweet Interplay president Eric Caen claims that Interplay attempted to sell full Fallout rights to Bethesda, only to be turned down. The latest news in the ongoing legal battle says that former Interplay president Hervé Caen offered the full rights to Bethesda for $50 million. Bethesda rejected the offer on the grounds that the price was too high, negotiating a lower price for everything except the MMO rights. There were conditions for development of the MMO attached to the deal, which Bethesda claims that Interplay has not met. Eric Caen has his own thoughts on these claims: "I think Bethesda, off the back of Fallout 3's success, realised that Hervé was probably right about the value. They said: 'OK, how can we get that without paying?'"" Interplay is continuing work on Fallout Online with a projected release date of 2012, as the legal investigations continue. [via gamesindustry.biz]
Masthead Studios and Interplay finalize agreement for Fallout MMO
We have another step forward in the long-running saga of the Fallout MMO. Late last week, Interplay announced that they had signed "definitive agreements" with Masthead Studios regarding Project: V13, the highly contested post-apocalyptic MMO. We knew this development was a possibility, but things have been delayed by the legal battles with Bethesda. Terms of the agreement have not been disclosed, Herve Caen is the Interplay Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and gave an interesting piece of information: "This MMOG will have many unique features that we will disclose before launch of the public Beta in 2012." Project: V13 has been in development since November of 2007 (and highly anticipated by fans for the same amount of time), but has struggled along the way with problems including the court squabbling with Bethesda. This latest development is one in a series of small steps forward that Interplay is making, so we'll hold out hope for 2012.
Interplay to rez Fallout MMO project, looking for funds
In an announcement that coincided with their third quarter earnings report, Interplay revealed that they were officially reopening their internal development house. What are they working on, we hear you ask? Why, wouldn't you believe it, they are looking to kick-start production of an MMOG based on none other than the revered Fallout series, to which they still own the rights. According to CEO Herve Caen, they're still in the process of securing funding. Interestingly, Interplay also announced that they've hired Jason Anderson, one of the designers for Fallout 2 -- not for the Fallout MMO, but for another as yet unannounced MMO.So what have we gleaned from this? The mysterious Bethesda MMO will definitely not be Fallout, so we can put that rumor to rest. Interplay definitely will be developing the Fallout MMO. And moreover, it appears their strategy moving forward is heavily focused in the massively multiplayer genre. With no other currently announced projects besides Fallout and the unnamed MMO, it appears Interplay is joining the long list of development houses looking to cash in on the MMO craze. To say this makes us worried about the future of the Fallout MMO is a bit of an understatement. We don't harbor much faith in Interplay's management at this point. Just look at their website, if you an indicator of their current financial straits.[Via Gamasutra]
