Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/03/15/kickstarting-the-future-of-game-publishing-an-interview-with-br/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

Wasteland box art
When I was 12 years old, my days mainly consisted of one thing: playing games on my Commodore 64. I would set my alarm early to get some gaming in before school, think about the games all day during school, then come home and play as much as I could before my parents made me stop and do homework or chores. Aside from TSR's Gold Box series, the two games that molded my childhood and my love for gaming were Wasteland and The Bard's Tale. Both of these games were made by Interplay Productions, a company founded by Brian Fargo in 1983.

Fargo has always been an iconic figure to me. I regularly name my MMO characters Faran Brygo (a name he used for an NPC in the original Wasteland). I'm certainly not alone in my love for Wasteland (which I have labeled for years as my all-time-favorite RPG), but I think it's safe to say that many gamers who enjoyed Wasteland always wondered why there was no sequel. Fallout 1 and 2 were "spiritual successors" to the game, but for copyright reasons, they were never actually labeled as true sequels. Fargo tried to make a true sequel for 20 years but was always met with brick walls from publishers who weren't interested in resurrecting such an old game.

Enter Kickstarter. After the wild success of Tim Schafer's Double Fine crowdfunding campaign, Fargo got the idea to try it out for himself. The timing was right with the current nostalgic gaming scene, the popularity of the post-apocalyptic genre, and the fact that most of Interplay's original fans are now in a position of making a tad more income than allowance money from childhood chores.

We sat down with Brian Fargo to discuss his views on the potential of Kickstarter, the future of Big Brother game publishers, and Wasteland 2.

Continue reading Kickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo

MassivelyKickstarting the future of game publishing: An interview with Brian Fargo originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brian-fargofaran-brygointerplayinterviewinterviewskickstarterpublishersrpgtrailertrailersvideovideoswastelandwasteland-2yes-we-know-its-not-an-mmoThu, 15 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Ask Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/02/02/ask-massively-thieving-on-the-fast-track-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

These are the markers used to cross our names off the credits. What? It's not the most tenuous connection I've used.
One of our readers was kind enough to point us to two sites that, once again, were stealing our posts without crediting our authors or anything like that. (I don't mean "this post looks suspiciously similar"; I mean abusing copy and paste.) Unfortunately, while we're aware of these things, there's not a whole lot we can do other than request that the sites get taken down. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but it's all we can do. I guess it's nice to be good enough that your work is worth stealing without credit? That's something.

This week's installment of Ask Massively isn't going to focus on that, however. Instead, we're going to focus on the recent spate of MMO litigation and the potential for a boxed RIFT expansion. If you have a question you'd like to see answered in a future installment of Ask Massively, mail it along to ask@massively.com or leave a comment in the field below. Questions may be edited slightly for clarity and/or brevity.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition

MassivelyAsk Massively: Thieving on the fast track edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ask-massivelyBethesda-Softworksbottersboxed-expansioncolumncolumnsexpansionfalloutfallout-onlinefeaturedinterplayjagexlawsuitlawsuitslitigationmmo-industryopinionplagiarismriftscrapingsite-scrapingtriontrion-worldsThu, 02 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[This Week in MMO: Lawsuits edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/this-week-in-mmo-lawsuits-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/this-week-in-mmo-lawsuits-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/12/this-week-in-mmo-lawsuits-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

This Week in MMO
It's that time again, folks. Gary Gannon and guests Mike B. and Mike Schaffnit bring you this week's edition of This Week in MMO, and today the spotlight is set on the Bethesda-Interplay lawsuit, which was recently resolved in Bethesda's favor. Meanwhile, console gamers everywhere are surely pleased to hear that they won't be left out of Blizzard's upcoming Diablo III, as it was recently confirmed that the game will be making the jump to consoles as well as PC. And finally, to top it all off, the guys have a chat about SOE CEO John Smedley's thoughts on the free-to-play business model and PlanetSide 2's newest trailer. If you've got an hour to kill, just click on past the cut for the full episode.

Continue reading This Week in MMO: Lawsuits edition

MassivelyThis Week in MMO: Lawsuits edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-interplay-lawsuitconsolesdiablo-iiigary-gannoninterplayjohn-smedleylawsuitmike-bmike-schaffnitplanetside-2this-week-in-mmotwimmovideovideosThu, 12 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda and Interplay settle Fallout MMO lawsuits, Interplay's rights revoked]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/bethesda-and-interplay-settle-fallout-mmo-lawsuits-interplays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/bethesda-and-interplay-settle-fallout-mmo-lawsuits-interplays/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/09/bethesda-and-interplay-settle-fallout-mmo-lawsuits-interplays/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Bethesda and Interplay have been embroiled in a legal battle for quite some time now, arguing over whether or not Interplay had the rights to create a Fallout MMO. Well, that lawsuit has finally been settled and it appears that Bethesda has come out on top. In a press release today, Bethesda announced that "under the terms of the settlement, the license granted to Interplay to develop the Fallout MMO is null and void, and all rights granted to Interplay to develop a Fallout MMO revert back to Bethesda, effective immediately." Bethesda fails to make any mention of whether or not the studio will use its freshly re-acquired rights in order to actually make a Fallout MMO, however, so the future of the online wasteland remains in flux.

[Source: Bethesda Game Studios press release]

MassivelyBethesda and Interplay settle Fallout MMO lawsuits, Interplay's rights revoked originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-game-studiosbethesda-softworksfalloutfallout-mmofallout-onlineindustryinterplayinterplay-entertainmentlawsuitlawsuitslegalmmo-industrysettlementsettlementsMon, 09 Jan 2012 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: Cool balloon bro edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-mmo-report-cool-balloon-bro-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-mmo-report-cool-balloon-bro-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/05/the-mmo-report-cool-balloon-bro-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

The MMO Report
This week on The MMO Report -- where everyone prefers "a blaster over hokey religions and ancient weapons" -- Casey tries to make the most of a slow MMO news week. He reports that the fallout over Fallout Online has settled, Multiverse (the Buffy/Firefly MMO platform) is dead in the water, CCP is launching EVE Online character avatars into orbit via balloon, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is boasting 350,000 concurrent users.

There's no mailbag this week, he relates, because everyone's too busy playing lightsabers with their friends, which is probably true.

He also thanks BioWare for teaching him how to /getdown... and I think you should tune in at the five-minute mark to see his moves for yourself. The video's tucked behind the break for your amusement!

Continue reading The MMO Report: Cool balloon bro edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Cool balloon bro edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bethesda-Softworksbiowarebuffybuffy-mmobugscasey-schreinerccpccp-gamescool-balloon-broeaElectronic-Artseveeve-onlinefalloutfallout-onlinefireflyfirefly-mmogetdowninternet-lightsabersinterplaylightsabersmmo-reportmultiversestar-warsstar-wars-the-old-republicswtorthe-mmo-reporttorvideovideosThu, 05 Jan 2012 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda vs. Interplay case finally settled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/bethesda-vs-interplay-case-finally-settled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fallout
War. War never changes. And neither, it appeared, would the long-running legal dispute between Bethesda and Interplay over the rights to the Fallout IP. For years, it seems, we've been reporting on this courtroom tug-o-war between the companies which has kept the fate of Fallout Online in limbo.

Well it looks like it is finally over, one way or another. An administrator on the Fallout fan site Duck and Cover says that a settlement has been reached although the details have yet to emerge to the public:
Today, DAC has confirmation that a settlement has, in fact, taken place. It actually took place the day of the trial -- and had I been able to get online and sort through the documents I would have reported as much. We do not yet have the details of the settlement -- they will be announced this month (January 2012) -- but we can report that on the day of trial, the atmosphere in the court room was tense until the judge recessed. This recess was extended, and then they recessed for lunch. After the lunch recess, the court room was locked to everyone except attorneys and clients. When our source asked why this was the case, our source was told it was because they were working out a settlement. The following day, another source called the court reporter to ask what the next hearing schedule for the case was -- this source was told there was no schedule as a settlement had been reached.
We'll be following this story as it develops to see how it affects the potential Fallout Online and what each studio is walking away with from this bitter dispute.

MassivelyBethesda vs. Interplay case finally settled originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworkscourtcourt-caseduck-and-coverfalloutfallout-ipfallout-onlineinterplayIPlegallegal-battlesettlesettlementTue, 03 Jan 2012 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda and Interplay may be close to settling Fallout dispute]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/bethesda-and-interplay-may-be-close-to-settling-fallout-dispute/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/bethesda-and-interplay-may-be-close-to-settling-fallout-dispute/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/bethesda-and-interplay-may-be-close-to-settling-fallout-dispute/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Brotherhood of Steel dude
Is the long-running war of words between Bethesda and Interplay nearing its end? The two firms have been engaged in a legal tug-of-war over the Fallout IP (and its potential entry into the MMO space via Fallout Online) for several years now, but a new blurb on GamePolitics suggests that there could be some light at the end of the tunnel.

GamePolitics cites a Fallout wiki entry and the leak of a partial court transcript from earlier this month that says "both sides have previously agreed to drop this from the case (Bethesda raised it, and Interplay agreed). The case now just concerns future Fallout games."

The website points to another source that claims that Bethesda is attempting to seal parts of the case (which is often a harbinger for an out-of-court settlement).

MassivelyBethesda and Interplay may be close to settling Fallout dispute originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Softworksfalloutfallout-ipfallout-onlineinterplaylegalmmo-industrypost-apocalypticsci-fiFri, 30 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/15/the-perfect-ten-the-upcoming-long-shots/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Perfect Ten
In coming up with a follow-up list to my previous Upcoming MMO Contenders list, I found myself almost paralyzed by more choices than I could shake a wireless mouse at. Pointing at the sure bets is one thing, but narrowing down a field of dozens and dozens of interesting -- yet more far-flung -- prospects is far more difficult. It's one thing to have a good idea; it's another to say whether or not this game will actually make it to launch, and if it does, that it'll pull the idea off well.

That said, I've lost some hair and two pounds sweating out this list, and I feel sleeker for it. Today's Perfect Ten is all about the long-shots, the titles that may not have the huge budget, big name studios, or anything solid to show for it, but could still become contenders in their own right if everything is played just right.

Deep breath -- let's give it a go!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>arenanetbethesdaBethesda-Softworksccpccp-gamesclass3class4crypticcryptic-studiosd-n-dddodefiancednddominusdungeons-and-dragonseve-onlinefallout-onlinefeaturedgoblinworksguild-warsinterplayjeff-strainmechwarrior-onlineneverwinterotherlandpathfinder-onlinepenny-arcadepermadeathprimeprime-battle-for-dominusriftsyfytad-williamstransformers-universetrion-worldsundead-labswizardrywizardry-onlineworld-of-darknessThu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: The highlights]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-the-highlights/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/13/the-game-archaeologist-crosses-meridian-59-the-highlights/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Meridian 59
A colony founded through a magical nexus, Meridian 59 had it all going on -- until, that is, the portal to the colony collapsed and it was left to fend for itself. Monsters swarmed over the land, politics split the community into factions, and adventurers were called to rise up and become the heroes that were desperately needed. And all it took was $10.95 a month and an internet connection.

Welcome to 1996 and one of the very first -- if not the first (more on that later) -- graphical MMOs to hit the scene. Meridian 59 may not have been one of the biggest games in the genre, but it was arguably one of the most important, the John Adams to World of Warcraft's Abraham Lincoln. If you were wondering, Darkfall was Chester A. Arthur.

It seems fitting to end 2011 by touching upon this significant title that, against all odds, continues to operate today. Meridian 59 weathered studio shutdowns, newbie developers in every sense of the word, and a world that wasn't quite sure what to make of these fancy-schmancy massively interactive roleplaying games. MIRGs! Oh, that would've been such a better acronym, but I digress. Let's set the wayback machine to 1978 to see how one amateur game led to another that led to the birth of an industry.

Continue reading The Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: The highlights

MassivelyThe Game Archaeologist crosses Meridian 59: The highlights originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3doAlan-E-Klietzandrew-KirmseArchetype-InteractivebiowareChris-KirmsecompuserveDamion-Schubertdarkfalldoomduke-nukem-3dfeaturedheretichistoricalhistoryinterplayKingdom-of-the-Nexusmeridian-59mike-sellersmudmud-likenear-death-studiospsychochildqrich-vogelrob-ellisrob-ellis-iiscepter-of-gothstar-wars-the-old-republicsteve-sellersstorybricksswtorthe-realmthe-realm-onlineultima-onlineultima-online-third-dawnuoworld-of-warcraftwowTue, 13 Dec 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda and Interplay continue to sling stones over Fallout Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/bethesda-and-interplay-continue-to-sling-stones-over-fallout-onl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/bethesda-and-interplay-continue-to-sling-stones-over-fallout-onl/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/12/01/bethesda-and-interplay-continue-to-sling-stones-over-fallout-onl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Please stand by for a very, very long time.
There's exciting news about Fallout Online today, assuming that you think that the latest installment of the ongoing legal battle between Interplay and Bethesda qualifies as exciting news. Yes, the two companies are still at it, with Bethesda filing a new complaint against Interplay after the last victory. And as usual, depending on which company you want in charge of the game's future development, one of the companies is completely out of its mind and the other is trying to defend what it rightfully owns.

Bethesda's complaint, in essence, argues that Interplay's complaint blocked testimony that would have established Bethesda as being the party in the right beyond a shadow of a doubt. Whether or not this is accurate will be established when the companies have their date in court on December 5th, which should put an end to this mess once and for all... although if previous events show anything, it's that both Bethesda and Interplay will fight this out to the bitter end.

MassivelyBethesda and Interplay continue to sling stones over Fallout Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-legal-battlefallout-onlineinterplaylegallegal-battlemmo-industrynewsThu, 01 Dec 2011 21:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda appeal denied for Fallout Online, work continues by Interplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/bethesda-appeal-denied-for-fallout-online-work-continues-by-int/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/bethesda-appeal-denied-for-fallout-online-work-continues-by-int/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/26/bethesda-appeal-denied-for-fallout-online-work-continues-by-int/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're still a long way from doing more than looking at pictures.
Are you enjoying the game of Fallout Online? No, not the actual online game in which you adventure in a shattered wasteland, but the constant back-and-forth between Interplay and Bethesda over which company is allowed to work on the development. The game has been tied up in court for roughly forever, with Bethesda trying to block Interplay's further development via legal tactics, and while the first injunction was denied, the studio appealed to have the development halted.

It turns out that the courts remained firmly on Interplay's side, however, as the appeal has been denied and Interplay is in the clear to continue developing the game. Unfortunately, the game will still require express permission from Bethesda to launch, meaning that there's still no end in sight to the legal fighting and name-calling by both companies. For the time being, all that fans of the franchise can do is wait and see... assuming that Interplay remains financially able to develop the game after all.

MassivelyBethesda appeal denied for Fallout Online, work continues by Interplay originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appealsbethesdacourtdevelopmentfalloutfallout-onlineinterplaylegallegal-issueslegal-wranglingmmo-industryWed, 26 Oct 2011 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda fails to block Fallout MMO progress, again]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/bethesda-fails-to-block-fallout-mmo-progress-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/bethesda-fails-to-block-fallout-mmo-progress-again/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/bethesda-fails-to-block-fallout-mmo-progress-again/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Fallout Online - wallpaper
The latest development in the ongoing lover's quarrel for control of the Fallout MMO seems to be something of a body blow for Bethesda. The famed Elder Scrolls and Fallout 3 RPG maker was smacked down in a U.S. District Court this week as a judge ruled that the company "unreasonably delayed in seeking relief, and that the emergency that allegedly justifies a TRO is self-created."

TRO stands for temporary restraining order, and Bethesda was seeking such against Interplay and Masthead Studios, which are developing the long-awaited Fallout MMORPG. This isn't the first time that Bethesda has turned to the legal system as a way of preserving its Fallout brand. It's also not the first time the company has been denied, as a 2009 ruling allowed Interplay to continue working on the massively multiplayer version of Fallout despite Bethesda's objections.

MassivelyBethesda fails to block Fallout MMO progress, again originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-mmointerplaylegallegalesemastheadmasthead-studiosmmo-industrypost-apocalypticsci-fitemporary-restraining-orderFri, 23 Sep 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay v. Bethesda deathmatch continues]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/interplay-v-bethesda-death-match-continues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/interplay-v-bethesda-death-match-continues/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/06/28/interplay-v-bethesda-death-match-continues/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The punches keep flying between Bethesda and Interplay in the battle for Fallout Online. A recent court filing from Interplay claims that Bethesda knew good and well that its in-development Fallout MMO would (prepare for a shock!) include elements from the Fallout universe, despite Bethesda's claims to the contrary.

The filing goes on to confront Bethesda's arguments that the MMO would lead to confusion amongst players of Fallout 3 due to plot conflicts between the two games. Interplay points out that this is a rather ironic statement, considering that "Bethesda contends Interplay should have created an entire game of incompatible story, characters, and art and labeled it Fallout only in name." Between this legal sparring and Interplay's financial woes, the future of Fallout Online remains to be seen.

MassivelyInterplay v. Bethesda deathmatch continues originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 28 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfalloutfallout-mmofallout-onlineinterplayinterplay-entertainmentlegal-battlepost-apocalypticridiculous-argumentsTue, 28 Jun 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout Online's future in jeopardy as Interplay's finances suffer]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/fallout-onlines-future-in-jeopardy-as-interplays-finances-suff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/fallout-onlines-future-in-jeopardy-as-interplays-finances-suff/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/30/fallout-onlines-future-in-jeopardy-as-interplays-finances-suff/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

There's a bad moon a risin' for all you MMO-playing Vault-dwellers out there. Fallout Online, the in-development MMO from Interplay, has been through some rough waters already, but it looks like the situation may be about to go from bad to -- pardon the pun -- apocalyptic.

A recent SEC filing by Interplay indicates that the company is going through some rough financial times, which doesn't bode well for the Fallout Online's future. According to the article at GamePolitics, Interplay is skating on thin ice with "a cash balance below $3000 and a working capital deficit of $3 million." The company also states that if the financial situation doesn't change sooner, rather than later, it could be forced to declare bankruptcy or even sell the studio entirely. We here at Massively wish Interplay the best in hopes that someday we'll all be able to step out of the Vaults and into Fallout's uniquely retro post-apocalyptic wasteland.

MassivelyFallout Online's future in jeopardy as Interplay's finances suffer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 30 May 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bankruptcyeconomyfalloutfallout-onlinefinancesinterplayMon, 30 May 2011 22:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout Online newsletter tells stories and shows off new weapons]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/fallout-online-newsletter-tells-stories-and-shows-off-new-weapon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/fallout-online-newsletter-tells-stories-and-shows-off-new-weapon/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/28/fallout-online-newsletter-tells-stories-and-shows-off-new-weapon/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Dark humor has always been an important part of the Fallout series, being especially obvious in the first two Fallout games that Interplay developed before selling the single-player game's rights to Bethesda. Now, with the fourth edition of the Fallout Online newsletter, The Armageddon Rag, we're not only treated to some typically dark and twisted storytelling but given a peek at some of the weapons that we'll see in the wastes.

Along with the 9mm Burreyetta Model 86d seen above, there are other deliciously wicked-looking bits of weaponry concept art to check out, such as the Chemblaster 3000 CDS, a special stimpak that insists "even the dead will rise" when it is used, and slightly more familiar weapons like the AKA-47. Between the art and the descriptions, we're sure any post-apocalyptic fan waiting for Fallout Online will find goodness to geek out on. Just don't greeble on yourself, OK?

MassivelyFallout Online newsletter tells stories and shows off new weapons originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armageddon-ragbethesdaconcept-artfalloutfallout-mmofallout-onlinefoInterplayinterplay-entertainmentlorenewsletterpreviewstoriesMon, 28 Feb 2011 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA["Fallout belongs to us": Bethesda lays claim to Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/fallout-belongs-to-us-bethesda-lays-claim-to-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/fallout-belongs-to-us-bethesda-lays-claim-to-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/fallout-belongs-to-us-bethesda-lays-claim-to-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We may as well call it The NeverEnding Story 4: The Battle for Fallout. The ongoing legal struggle and corporate posturing between Bethesda and Interplay took a new turn today as Bethesda declared its biggest claim yet to the entire franchise -- including a Fallout MMO.

According to Gamesindustry.biz, vg247, and Eurogamer, Bethesda's Pete Hines couldn't make it clearer: "We own the rights to the MMO. We own the rights to everything Fallout. The license is ours. Fallout belongs to us."

Earlier this month, Interplay called such claims "absurd."

This is troublesome for Interplay, as the studio has been hard at work on a Fallout MMO of its own, scheduled for a 2012 release. Both companies claim that they have the right to develop an online version of the hit franchise: Interplay because it retained the rights to do so when it sold the franchise to Bethesda, and Bethesda because the company claims Interplay failed to live up to the contract and forfeited its claim.

While the lawyers continue to plow through this legal morass, this statement by Bethesda shows that the studio has no intention of giving up the rights to a Fallout MMO without a fight.

[Update: We've clarified Gamesindustry's sources.]

Massively"Fallout belongs to us": Bethesda lays claim to Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Game-StudiosBethesda-Softworksfalloutfallout-mmofallout-onlineInterplaylawyerlegallegal-rightsneverending-storypete-hinesrightsFri, 21 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The MMO Report: Good to the last drop edition]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-mmo-report-good-to-the-last-drop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-mmo-report-good-to-the-last-drop-edition/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/21/the-mmo-report-good-to-the-last-drop-edition/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It's time once again for another freshly-brewed episode of the MMO report, where we can expect that the week's news will be roasted to a tasty, yet full-bodied finish. This week finds Casey Schreiner and the crew at G4TV touching on some of the most important -- and strangest -- news from the MMO world, as well as getting their caffeine on in Uncle Casey's Mailbag.

First up, Casey reminds us why lawsuits are very silly things, and gives voice to the one thing we suspect many people fear about the legal bickering between Bethesda and Interplay over the Fallout MMO. Up next, the Blood Lord's rampage in Vindictus is on the radar (with a shout out to us here at Massively -- thanks!), proving you can't have slaughter without laughter. From there, it's on to Champions Online, and its move to free-to-play starting on January 25th, as well as news from APB's continuing free-to-play conversion. (We'd have something witty to say about those two, but we keep getting distracted by character creation. The next thing you know, hours have passed.) Finally, Casey rounds out this week's episode with a one-two punch of some truly weird news coupled with the usual dose of insanity in Uncle Casey's Mailbag, aided now with large amounts of caffeine.

So grab your coffee cup, and join us behind the jump for all the best (and some of the worst) in this week's MMO Report. You can also catch it every Thursday on G4TV.

Continue reading The MMO Report: Good to the last drop edition

MassivelyThe MMO Report: Good to the last drop edition originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apbapb-reloadedbethesdaBethesda-Softworkscasey-schreinercoffeecrypticcryptic-studiosf2pfallout-mmofree-to-playgamersfirst-owns-this-cityhumorinterplayinterplay-entertainmentlawsuitnews-of-the-weirdNexonthe-mmo-reportuncle-caseys-mailbagvindictusFri, 21 Jan 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay responds to Bethesda's Fallout claims, calls them "absurd"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/interplay-responds-to-bethesdas-fallout-claims-calls-them-abs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/interplay-responds-to-bethesdas-fallout-claims-calls-them-abs/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/01/10/interplay-responds-to-bethesdas-fallout-claims-calls-them-abs/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

War... war never changes. Not even when it's over an IP. The Fallout MMO has been stuck in the middle of a legal battle for roughly half of forever, and it doesn't seem like the controversy is going to stop any time soon. Bethesda's most recent filing claimed that Interplay had only licensed the rights to use the Fallout name, rather than any of the other assets that would lead to developing an MMO. Interplay has responded to this claim by calling it outright absurd.

According to Interplay, the license between the companies specifically required Interplay to develop a Fallout MMO, using the name and all related assets as part of the overall experience. Using only the name and nothing else related to the franchise would be strictly against the terms of the original agreement. Although it's not clear at the moment how long this particular skirmish will take, it's obvious that both companies are still dedicated to fighting the rights out to the bitter end.

MassivelyInterplay responds to Bethesda's Fallout claims, calls them "absurd" originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-mmointerplaylegallegal-agreementslegal-battlelicenselicensingmmo-industrynewsproject-v13rightsMon, 10 Jan 2011 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/16/the-perfect-ten-most-controversial-mmo-stories-of-2010/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Well, this is it, folks. The end of the year. A time of reflection, of massive weight gain and of lists. Man, we like our lists, do we not? Fortunately, at Perfect Ten Industries, we've been excelling in lists for months now. Frankly, we're just getting warmed up!

While 2010 may not have been much to write home about in terms of newly launched MMOs, there was more than enough controversy to keep the discussion brewing for months. MMOs are big business, and when every move you make is closely scrutinized by millions of gamers, there's no room to slip up unless you like forum hyenas pouncing all over you, snapping and snarling at your faulty flesh.

So let's take a jaunt down our top 10 list of the most controversial stories of 2010 on Massively, keeping in mind that it was devilishly hard just to keep this list to 10 at all. What's a week without being riled up about pixels and polygons, after all?

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010

MassivelyThe Perfect Ten: Most controversial MMO stories of 2010 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advisory-councilalganonallodsallods-onlineapocryphaAtaribethesdaBethesda-Softworksc-storeccpCCP-GamescodemasterscontroversyCraig-Zinkievichcrypticcryptic-studiosdavid-allenddoddo-offer-walldelayderek-smartdungeons-and-dragons-onlineeaea-lousElectronic-Artsend-of-the-year-2010europeeuropean-games-awardseveeve-onlinefeaturedfinal-fantasy-14final-fantasy-xivgpotatointerplaylaglawsuitlegallord-of-the-rings-onlinelotromythicMythic-Entertainmentoffer-wallragequitsquare-enixstar-trek-onlinestar-wars-the-old-republicstostockstockholderswtorthe-old-republictorturbinewarWarhammer-OnlineThu, 16 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Fallout Online newsletter sighted in the wild]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/new-fallout-online-newsletter-sighted-in-the-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/new-fallout-online-newsletter-sighted-in-the-wild/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/20/new-fallout-online-newsletter-sighted-in-the-wild/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Several of us here at Massively are avid fans of the Fallout franchise and have even been cheating on our MMOs with a bit of New Vegas action over the last few weeks. It should come as no surprise, then, that we keep a keen eye out for news of Interplay's upcoming Fallout Online MMO. The latest tidbit arrived in our inboxes today in the form of the third issue of The Armageddon Rag, a faux in-character newsletter that purports to inform the reader of various happenings from around the wasteland. Unlike previous issues, this one comes "electronically" in the form of a Pip Pad.

The latest issue of Rag doesn't pay tribute to George R.R. Martin (as you might expect from the title) but instead features three news blurbs designed to give you a little post-apocalyptic flavor and perhaps drop a few hints to those in the know. It's also worth mentioning that you can sign up for the Fallout Online beta by registering for the newsletter on the official site.

[Thanks Alex!]

MassivelyNew Fallout Online newsletter sighted in the wild originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabeta-sign-upfalloutfallout-mmofallout-new-vegasfallout-onlineinterplayinterplay-entertainmentnewsletterpost-apocalypticsci-fithe-armageddon-ragSat, 20 Nov 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay says Bethesda turned down chance to purchase Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/22/interplay-says-bethesda-turned-down-chance-to-purchase-fallout-m/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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]

MassivelyInterplay says Bethesda turned down chance to purchase Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabreakingeric-caenfallout-onlinegameindustry.bizherve-caeninterplaylegalFri, 22 Oct 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout Online hints at The Church of Harold]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/fallout-online-hints-at-the-church-of-harold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/fallout-online-hints-at-the-church-of-harold/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/20/fallout-online-hints-at-the-church-of-harold/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The new Fallout MMORPG is such a closely guarded secret that we know next to nothing about the game itself. Interplay is wisely putting the uncertainty surrounding the title to effective marketing use, with the latest example being a cryptic "Church of Harold" advertisement that recently surfaced on the company's website. Anxious fans who signed up for the newsletter on the official Fallout site also received the head-scratching digital pamphlet in their inboxes over the weekend.

For the uninitiated, Harold is the only character to appear in every Fallout game to date. Scuttlebutt has it that the "Church" may be a faction, a point of interest, or even an in-game religion. We'll keep our eyes peeled for more Fallout goodness -- and be sure to let us know if you run across any more end-of-the-world oddities.

[Thanks Jonathan!]

MassivelyFallout Online hints at The Church of Harold originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betabethesdachurch-of-haroldfalloutfallout-mmofallout-onlineharoldInterplayinterplay-entertainmentmarketingpost-apocalypticsci-fiMon, 20 Sep 2010 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[New Fallout Online artwork sighted]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/07/05/new-fallout-online-artwork-sighted/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

It seems like the Fallout Online hype-machine is slowly grinding into gear, what with the recent FAQ update and now word of some cryptic new artwork being sent to mailing list subscribers late last week. Destructoid has the scoop on the email blast, which kicked off with a brief textual teaser before leading into the imagery.

"There are many stories and many more tall tales about life in the wastelands, this is one of them," read the notice. In addition to artwork like the vista shown above, subscribers were sent images of a letter scrawled by a character named Les, who waxes on about the Menkey Butte Mine and a "Ragskin" named Fast Eddie.

Yeah, we can't make sense of it either, but it's a great way for Interplay to pique our collective interest.

MassivelyNew Fallout Online artwork sighted originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 05 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artworkconcept-artfalloutfallout-onlinefast-eddieFOhypeinterplaymailing-listpost-apocalypticMon, 05 Jul 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout Online offers up a large FAQ]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallout-online-offers-up-a-large-faq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallout-online-offers-up-a-large-faq/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/28/fallout-online-offers-up-a-large-faq/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If tons of tasty information about the upcoming post-apocalyptic playground, Fallout Online, is something you're hungry for, then you're in luck! A fan has compiled Interplay forum responses into a rather lengthy FAQ that's full of all manner of information every vault dweller could possibly want. Well, OK -- not everything. There's still no release date, nor are there tons of beta keys available for the grabbing. However, it's still a nice bundle of information to look over.

Among the morsels on the Fallout Online FAQ are notes on PvP (yes, it will be there), death penalties (definitely worth reading for yourself), and more. It looks like the hotly debated "Project V13" has been moving along more solidly than many might have realized. Head on over to the Interplay forums to read all about it!

[Thanks, Nickelpat!]
[Edited to correct posting source]

MassivelyFallout Online offers up a large FAQ originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingfalloutfallout-onlinefaqfrequently-asked-questionsinterplaymmoproject-v13Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Please stand by: Fallout Online gets its own website]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/please-stand-by-fallout-online-gets-its-own-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/please-stand-by-fallout-online-gets-its-own-website/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/06/15/please-stand-by-fallout-online-gets-its-own-website/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Interplay/Bethesda Fallout legal battle is one mired in as much speculation as it is in fact, although we do know that Interplay has been attempting to get a Fallout MMO project off the ground for some time now. Code-named V13, Fallout Online is currently Interplay's baby, although we haven't seen a clear go-ahead due to the legal struggle over the rights.

It was a bit of a surprise, then, to see a teaser website for Fallout Online launch with little fanfare. Currently, there isn't much there, just a brief glimpse at a workshop desk with various Fallout references to the Master, Brahmin, and Nuka-Cola before a form obscures the screen. You then can sign up for their mailing list, as well as a beta opt-in. Following that, you are unceremoniously sent to the Interplay forums.

It looks legit, too: Interplay is promoting Fallout Online from their main website, and the new teaser site is indeed registered to Interplay Entertainment Corp. Seeing as how Fallout fans are incredibly passionate about this franchise, even a hint that this MMO is progressing toward launch should come as a jolt of radioactive bliss. Check out the website and let us know what you think!

[Thanks Eric "Nickelpat" Minaker!]

MassivelyPlease stand by: Fallout Online gets its own website originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 15 Jun 2010 23:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdaBethesda-Softworksbrahminbreakingfalloutfallout-2fallout-3fallout-mmofallout-onlineinterplaynuka-colarumorteaserthe-master-livesTue, 15 Jun 2010 23:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Breaking: Bethesda drops Fallout MMO lawsuit [Update: Bethesda denies report]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/breaking-bethesda-drops-fallout-mmo-lawsuit-interplay-given-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/breaking-bethesda-drops-fallout-mmo-lawsuit-interplay-given-go/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/breaking-bethesda-drops-fallout-mmo-lawsuit-interplay-given-go/#commentsFiled under: , ,

[Update: A Bethesda spokesperson told Joystiq, "It's an ongoing legal matter. I don't know where whoever reported that got their information, but it is ongoing and we are going to see how it plays out in court." So there you have it - Interplay and Bethesda haven't made nice just yet. Original post follows.]

Do you hear that? That is the hushed sound of pre-squee joy from millions of Fallout fans who will be thrilled to hear that Bethesda has abruptly dropped their lawsuit against Interplay, freeing up the latter company to go ahead with a Fallout MMO (also known as "Project V13"). Duck and Cover got the scoop from Interplay investor "Frymuchan," who hinted at a secret deal between the two companies:

"Bethesda dropped their appeal of the lawsuit with Interplay and a secret deal was struck (maybe they will release the terms of the deal soon, probably so). Anyways, this is awesome news for Interplay stock. The appeal by Bethesda was dropped yesterday. I'm assuming part of the deal was that Interplay drop their countersuit against Bethesda."

For fans of the franchise who have been dismayed at the lawsuit -- which has been dragging on for months at this point -- this presents great hope for the much-anticipated Fallout MMO to actually see development and release. We'll be sure to bring you the official word from either Bethesda or Interplay when it happens.

Gallery: Fallout MMO Concepts

DesertFactoryGraveyardSurvivor

MassivelyBreaking: Bethesda drops Fallout MMO lawsuit [Update: Bethesda denies report] originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabreakingfalloutfallout-2fallout-3fallout-mmointerplayinterplay-entertainmentlawsuitThu, 22 Apr 2010 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: My Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/the-digital-continuum-my-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/the-digital-continuum-my-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/03/01/the-digital-continuum-my-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

There are times when I feel like being completely indulgent, and this week's The Digital Continuum is one of them.

The Fallout MMO has been a long while coming and probably will continue to be "on the horizon" well into the foreseeable future. So, it's with this knowledge that I've put together a grocery list of ideas that would be in my version of the game -- things that would make me decidedly excited to play as soon as possible. Honestly, I'm kind of surprised it took me so long to write these things down.

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: My Fallout MMO

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: My Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworkscall-of-dutycodfalloutfallout-2fallout-3fallout-game-mmofallout-mmofallout-new-vegasfeaturedinterplaymagmassive-action-gamenew-vegasopinionthe-digital-continuumMon, 01 Mar 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Masthead Studios and Interplay finalize agreement for Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/masthead-studios-and-interplay-finalize-agreement-for-fallout-mm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/masthead-studios-and-interplay-finalize-agreement-for-fallout-mm/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/25/masthead-studios-and-interplay-finalize-agreement-for-fallout-mm/#commentsFiled under: , ,

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.

MassivelyMasthead Studios and Interplay finalize agreement for Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfalloutfallout-mmoherve-caenInterplaymastheadmasthead-studiosproject-v13Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Court documents say Bethesda's MMO already under dev, rumor says it's Elder Scrolls]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/20/court-documents-show-bethesdas-mmo-already-underdev-rumor-says/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/20/court-documents-show-bethesdas-mmo-already-underdev-rumor-says/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/20/court-documents-show-bethesdas-mmo-already-underdev-rumor-says/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

In this most recent round of court scuffles between Interplay and Bethesda over the Fallout MMO rights, it would seem that some details are coming to light about what's going on at Bethesda's MMO "branch", Zenimax Media. According to filings, the word is that there are close to 100 people working on an MMO that costs "tens and tens of millions of dollars" and has been under development since late 2006. Apparently these same filings claim that the title is a "World of Warcraft" type MMO. Of course, considering World of Warcraft is about as equal to McDonalds in terms of brand recognition with its millions and millions served, saying something is like World of Warcraft could mean anything from 'it's a DIKU-based, kill-ten-rats, FedEx, fantasy MMO that looks rather a lot like WoW' on up to 'it's somewhere in the general MMO neighborhood.'

Now, to follow this interesting tidbit up, the word is that Bethesda is moving to have this particular chunk of testimony censored to protect trade secrets. To stir the pot a bit further on why they might be scrambling to block it, VG247 have a source they claim is reliable confirming this is the often-rumored Elder Scrolls MMO. What's more, their source says the Elder Scrolls MMO should have been announced last year.

Continue reading Court documents say Bethesda's MMO already under dev, rumor says it's Elder Scrolls

MassivelyCourt documents say Bethesda's MMO already under dev, rumor says it's Elder Scrolls originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbreakingfallout-3interplaymmommorpgoblivionrumorthe-elder-scrollsunder-developmentzenimax-mediaWed, 20 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Current Fallout tally board: Interplay 1, Bethesda 0]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/current-fallout-tally-board-interplay-1-bethesda-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/current-fallout-tally-board-interplay-1-bethesda-0/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/12/current-fallout-tally-board-interplay-1-bethesda-0/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Whether it counts as one for the good guys or the bad guys depends on your personal tastes, but the ongoing saga of the Fallout MMO continues its relentless back-and-forth process. There was a rumor, back at the end of October, that Interplay had successfully denied Bethesda's preliminary injunction against their work on the franchise. According to Gamasutra, that rumor has finally proven to be true: a US District Court Judge has blocked the injunction, letting Interplay continue their work on the much-anticipated Fallout MMO, most commonly known as Project V13.

For those of you coming late to this ongoing legal battle, a quick recap. Interplay, in desperate need of money to develop the MMO, sold the rights to the propery to Bethesda, who went on to make Fallout 3 and in turn licensed the rights to the MMO back to Interplay. They are claiming that Interplay did not fulfill the terms of their contract for creating the game, which included clauses regarding timely development, and are trying to win back the rights. For now, however, their attempt at blocking further development has failed, and Interplay will continue their work on the game... although the future for this game seems to be fraught with a great deal of conflict. Ending the world is, apparently, very serious business.

MassivelyCurrent Fallout tally board: Interplay 1, Bethesda 0 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfalloutfallout-3injunctioninterplaylegal-battleproject-v13rumorsSat, 12 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interplay's in-house lawyer corrects Fallout MMO injunction rumors]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/interplays-in-house-lawyer-corrects-fallout-mmo-injunction-rumo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/interplays-in-house-lawyer-corrects-fallout-mmo-injunction-rumo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/30/interplays-in-house-lawyer-corrects-fallout-mmo-injunction-rumo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Interplay and Bethesda are continuing to tussle in court over the proposed Fallout MMO, and you may have heard news earlier this week about Interplay's triumph over Bethesda in regards to a preliminary injunction. Well, don't get too excited just yet, because unfortunately it looks like reports got misinterpreted.

Interplay's in-house lawyer jumped in today to correct the rumors that have been flying around for the past few days at various Fallout fansites. Read what he had to say after the jump.

Gallery: Fallout MMO Concepts

DesertFactoryGraveyardSurvivor



Continue reading Interplay's in-house lawyer corrects Fallout MMO injunction rumors

MassivelyInterplay's in-house lawyer corrects Fallout MMO injunction rumors originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbreaking newsBreakingNewsfalloutfallout-3fallout-mmointerplaylawsuitlegalFri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fallout MMO issues at the heart of Interplay countersuit]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fallout-mmo-issues-at-the-heart-of-interplay-countersuit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fallout-mmo-issues-at-the-heart-of-interplay-countersuit/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/10/19/fallout-mmo-issues-at-the-heart-of-interplay-countersuit/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you're waiting for a Fallout MMO -- something many fans for the series are, without a doubt -- and you're not getting enough of that itch scratched by Fallen Earth, there's hope on the horizon. Sort of. Assuming that Interplay and Bethesda can sort their problems out in court, where they're currently behaving with all of the maturity you'd expect from two large gaming companies.

The full story can be read here at GamePolitics, but if your head is spinning a bit from all of the legal discussion, here's the short version. Bethesda is angry that Interplay, who sold them the rights to Fallout when in dire need of money, is now trying to back out of licensing the property to develop their promised Fallout MMO. Interplay, on the flipside, is arguing that Bethesda violated the terms of their original agreement and rendered it null and void, which would give them both control of the rights once again as well as meaning that Bethesda might well owe them royalties for the massively successful Fallout 3.

Practical upshot? If things go well for Interplay, they'll have more seed money for developing an MMO based on an immensely popular classic gaming franchise. If they go poorly, of course, Interplay is really up the creek and we'll very likely not see said MMO for quite some time if ever. Take a look at the full story, and start placing your bets.

MassivelyFallout MMO issues at the heart of Interplay countersuit originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfalloutfallout-3fallout-mmointerplaylegalnews-itemsMon, 19 Oct 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bethesda and Interplay lock legal horns over Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/bethesda-and-interplay-lock-legal-horns-over-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/bethesda-and-interplay-lock-legal-horns-over-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/11/bethesda-and-interplay-lock-legal-horns-over-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


In a month of lawsuits, another one has hit the table. This time the participants are Bethesda Softworks, best known for The Elder Scrolls series of games and the recent hit Fallout 3, and Interplay, the original holders of the Fallout license.

The lawsuit stems from the longstanding agreements between the companies regarding the Fallout IP. Namely Bethesda was allowed to take the rights to the IP except for the case of a Fallout MMO, which would be under the control of Interplay. Interplay would keep these rights as long as they secured funding for the game and began production by April.

Bethesda is asserting that Interplay has breached their agreement, citing that development on the title (which has been hidden under the thinly disguised title "Project V13," standing for "Vault 13," a shelter in the Fallout universe) has not yet begun. Interplay asserts that it still holds the rights to develop Project V13 with the assistance of Masthead Studios, the group behind the upcoming post-apocalyptic sci-fi MMO Earthrise.

Want more info? The legal documents regarding the suit have been unearthed, and are ready for your perusal.

[Via VG247]

MassivelyBethesda and Interplay lock legal horns over Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfallout-3fallout-ipfallout-mmointerplayinterplay-entertainmentlawsuitlegalproject-v13Fri, 11 Sep 2009 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumor: Bethesda likely to sue Interplay over inaction on Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rumor-bethesda-likely-to-sue-interplay-over-inaction-on-fallout/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rumor-bethesda-likely-to-sue-interplay-over-inaction-on-fallout/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/16/rumor-bethesda-likely-to-sue-interplay-over-inaction-on-fallout/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We must confess our lack of shock concerning today's rumor that Bethesda could be taking legal action against the previous owner of the Fallout IP. The rumor traces back to the MMO rights for everyone's favorite post-apocalyptic jaunt.

Interplay was supposed to have engaged in full-scale development on the Fallout MMO by last Thursday, April 9th and this apparently also included raising the funds for the game as well. We know some sort of movement had been made, but apparently it was too little, too late. That's a tall order for any company to pursue, especially one with a very sordid financial history.

Should Bethesda move forward with this and win, we can only assume the company will pursue its own Fallout MMO. Then again, who's to say they haven't been planning for such an occurrence all along? Bethesda was contacted for comment, but declined to do so.

MassivelyRumor: Bethesda likely to sue Interplay over inaction on Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdafalloutfallout-3fallout-mmointerplaykotakupost-apocalypticThu, 16 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Masthead Studios to help create the Fallout MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/masthead-studios-to-help-create-the-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/masthead-studios-to-help-create-the-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/04/03/masthead-studios-to-help-create-the-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We all knew that there was a Fallout MMO in the works, thinly veiled under the title Project V13, but now we get word that Masthead Studios will be involved in its development, according to an article at Eurogamer. Apparently, Interplay will still be the official developer of the game, yet they will be using Masthead's technology, tools and resources. Of course we all know and love Masthead Studios for their upcoming MMO (also post-apocalyptic) entitled Earthrise.

Project V13 has been in development since November of 2007 and was in the news several times for various staff changes such as the inclusion of original Fallout designers Chris Taylor and Jason Anderson. Anderson has since left, but all signs point towards this "top secret" project being some inception of "Fallout Online". After seeing what Masthead has done with their own game at GDC last week, we're now even more excited about what a Fallout MMO could become.

MassivelyMasthead Studios to help create the Fallout MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingbreakingnewsearthrisefallout-mmointerplaymasthead-studiosproject-v13Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[More hints of a Fallout MMO?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/18/more-hints-of-a-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


We've alternately consulted both our Magic 8 Ball and a Ouija board for answers to the Fallout MMO question. As in, will there be one? We think we've got a handle on the licensing intricacies of Fallout between ZeniMax Media (parent company of Bethesda Softworks) and Interplay thanks to a stellar article written by Daedren for r1ft Gaming. Briefly stated, Bethesda owns the rights to the Fallout IP, but not a Fallout MMO. Interplay holds the Fallout MMO rights, but only if they could raise $30 million and begin development by April 2009. Interplay has mentioned an MMO project with a tongue-in-cheek codename Project V13 (a nod to Fallout) but we've heard little of this game beyond that 2008 announcement that a dev team was being formed. In addition, we reported just last week that ZeniMax Media is hiring for an MMO division, project(s) unknown. While it hints at the potential to bring Fallout into the MMO space, we're still chalking it up to rumor.

That rumor got a bit juicier today though when we came across something of interest at our sister site Big Download. The original Fallout designer Jason Anderson, formerly the creative director for Project V13, has parted company with Interplay to work for inXile on a new RPG. We're still not certain if the various bits of news we've found in the last few weeks indicates a potential ZeniMax/Bethesda Fallout MMO or if Interplay's Project V13 will chug along just fine without Jason Anderson, so we're still firmly in the realm of "rumor," albeit an interesting one to fans of all things post-apocalytic.

MassivelyMore hints of a Fallout MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesda-softworksbig-downloadfalloutfallout-mmointellectual-propertyinterplayinxileipjason-andersonmmo-industrypost-apocalypticproject-v13rightsrpgrumorrumorssci-fizenimaxzenimax-mediaWed, 18 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[ZeniMax Media hiring for MMO division]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/zenimax-media-hiring-for-mmo-division/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/zenimax-media-hiring-for-mmo-division/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/03/11/zenimax-media-hiring-for-mmo-division/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

ZeniMax Media Inc., is currently seeking out MMO development talent for its online game division, GamesIndustry.biz reports. Why is this significant? ZeniMax is the owner of Bethesda Softworks, and thus both Fallout and Elder Scrolls. A Fallout MMO is entirely possible, but the business side of producing this title is somewhat complex. Daedren over at r1ft Gaming dissected the issue as it stood in November:

Bethesda Softworks owns the rights to the the Fallout IP, while Interplay retains rights to a Fallout MMO. However, those rights are forfeit provided Interplay is unable to raise $30 million and begin development of the Fallout MMO by April of 2009. (This is presumably Interplay's "Project V13" which involves other original Fallout team members.)

Continue reading ZeniMax Media hiring for MMO division

MassivelyZeniMax Media hiring for MMO division originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksbusiness-modelsdaedrenelder-scrollselder-scrolls-mmoelder-scrolls-onlinefalloutfallout-mmogamesindustry.bizinterplaymmo-industryproject-v13r1ft-gamingr1ftgamingzenimaxzenimax-mediaWed, 11 Mar 2009 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The fine print of a Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-fine-print-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-fine-print-of-a-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/06/the-fine-print-of-a-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Earlier this month, our very own Kyle Horner explored the real possibilities of a Fallout MMO in his Digital Continuum column. He talked about how the post-apocalyptic MMO could work in regards to an absence of lush scenery and a combat system based on pausing time. Expanding into another realm of that discussion, Daedren over at r1ft.com goes more into the financial and legal probabilities of the development of a Fallout MMO.

According to Interplay's agreement with Bethesda, there are a few stipulations when it comes to their retention of the IP for an MMO. For instance, they need to raise $30 million and begin development of the game by April, 2009. Even if they were able to raise that much based on investor faith in the wildly-successful Fallout name, where would they get the rest of the money? $30 million, an MMO does not make, and that's exactly what this article is about. Will Bethesda end up retaining the IP through fine print complications and actually make a better MMO than Interplay ever could? Check out Daedren's complete argument, including the facts as we know them today.

MassivelyThe fine print of a Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdadaedrenfallout-mmointerplayopinionpost-apocalypticr1ftgamingThu, 06 Nov 2008 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[The Digital Continuum: Let's talk about the Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/the-digital-continuum-lets-talk-about-the-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/the-digital-continuum-lets-talk-about-the-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/11/01/the-digital-continuum-lets-talk-about-the-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Fallout 3 is out this week and I've spent a whole lot of time exploring and fighting in Bethesda's singleplayer MMO world. I've always wondered whether a post-apocalyptic MMO would work well or not, which is part of the reason I've kept a close eye on Fallen Earth in the past. But what's always been in the back-burner of my mind is whether or not the Fallout license would be necessary for a post-apocalyptic to flourish. While endlessly exploring our own personal post-apocalypticia is incredible fun, do we want a massive one?

Continue reading The Digital Continuum: Let's talk about the Fallout MMO

MassivelyThe Digital Continuum: Let's talk about the Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 01 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bethesdabethesda-softworksfallen-earthfalloutfallout-3fallout-mmofeaturedfpsinterplayjoystiqfeaturesnc-softpost-apocalyticrpgsuper-mutanttabula-rasathe-digital-continuumvault-boyvault-tecwastelandSat, 01 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Original Fallout designer expresses concern for Fallout MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/original-fallout-designer-expresses-concern-for-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/original-fallout-designer-expresses-concern-for-fallout-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/08/original-fallout-designer-expresses-concern-for-fallout-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What could possibly be a bad idea about an impending MMO based in the Fallout universe? We've heard the rumors, and we're very excited about the possibilities. So why would it be a bad idea? Well, according to original Fallout designer and newly-promoted Carbine Studios Design Director Tim Cain, "It's not necessarily the direction I would've gone."

Cain's main concern with a Fallout MMO is that the original game was designed to make you feel like you were living in a post-apocalyptic world. In other words, there's not going to be 100+ other players running around you killing (Oh God, please no!) the same 10 boars as you in the same area. Although Cain doesn't really offer any alternatives to this, would a Guild Wars-style instanced world be the solution? We'll have to wait and see what Interplay has up their sleeves.

MassivelyOriginal Fallout designer expresses concern for Fallout MMO originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carbine-studiosfalloutfallout-mmoinstancedinterplaytim-cainWed, 08 Oct 2008 19:00:00 EST