Is this the end of role-playing games?

[SSquirrel]

p.s. Atari, under its french name owns D&D electronic license. Infrocom? or something of the sort.

I believe the name you're searching for is Infogrames. They bought the rights to ATARI an then switched their name to ATARI b/c the brand is beloved the world over and Infogrames looks kind of odd to many folks.

As I said in the other thread, the reason info on all those games disappeared from the website was that they no longer had the D&D license as they had let it go and thus no more info on them on teh website.

They went down for probably a multitude of reasons. I doubt filesharing was the big one.

Hagen

 

[EricNoah]

I believe the name you're searching for is Infogrames.

Yes! *hands ssquirrel a cigar*

 

[Ssyleia]

Let's bring another thing to memory, I realize by reading the posts previously submitted that not everyone is aware of the market hold Interplay had.

For all those folks, who don't know Bard's Tale 3 - I included it purposely because it was released in 1988, i.e. before the official onset of the "digital revolution". Interplay is a veteran and it has produced during its almost 20 year existance more quality role playing games than any other company.

Even back then, copying software (on 5.25" floppy disks) was kind of a problem but usually it revolved around someone buying the game and giving it to his 6 friends, or so. Today, it's like one gamer with a DSL connection downloads it and then gives it to his 6, or so friends...

 

[2d6]

Piracy has been around as long as the PC. Regardless if it is diskette, old BBSs w/ 300baud connection (imagine) or kazaa w/ cable people will share, they always have.

Smart companies recognize the threat, plan accordingly in their business plan and take action to curb the behavior where it makes good business sense.

Unfortunately I think Interplay had a combination of over-extention and poor management decisions. They have been on the bubble for some time now, even prior to the file-sharing boom.

" In February 2003, we amended our license agreement with the holder of the
interactive entertainment rights to DUNGEONS & DRAGONS ("D&D"). This license
allows us to publish the BALDUR'S GATE, BALDUR'S GATE: DARK ALLIANCE, and
ICEWIND DALE titles. Pursuant to this amendment, among other things, we (i)
extended the license term for approximately an additional two years to December
31, 2008 for an advance payment on future royalties of approximately $200,000
and (ii) extended our rights with respect to certain of the D&D properties. The
amendment terminated our rights to certain titles in the event we are unable to
obtain certain third-party waivers in accordance with the terms of the
amendment. We were unable to obtain the required waivers within the permitted
time period and as a result have lost rights to publish BALDUR'S GATE 3 and its
sequels on the PC. Subsequently, we relinquished the rights to publish any
future titles using the D&D license in exchange for the DARK ALLIANCE trademark.
We intend to publish future titles using the DARK ALLIANCE trademark name.

On or about February 23, 2004, we received correspondence from the holder
of the D&D license alleging that we had failed to pay royalties due under the
D&D license as of February 15, 2004. If we are unable to cure this alleged
breach of the license agreement, we may lose our remaining rights under the
license, including the rights to continued distribution of BALDUR'S GATE: DARK
ALLIANCE II. The loss of the remaining rights to distribute games created under
the D&D license could have a significant negative impact on our future operating
results."

Snipped for brevity - future titles go here

"We are currently in default of the settlement agreement with Warner and
have entered into a payment plan, of which we are in default, for the balance of
the $0.32 million owed payable in one remaining installment. On or about
February 23, 2004, we received correspondence from Atari Interactive alleging
that Interplay had failed to pay royalties due under the D&D license as of
February 15, 2004. If we are unable to cure this alleged breach of the license
agreement, we may lose our remaining rights under the license, including the
rights to continued distribution of BALDUR'S GATE: DARK ALLIANCE II. The loss of
the remaining rights to distribute games created under the D&D license could
have a significant negative impact on our future operating results."

Annual Report Link:4/27/2004:
http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1057232/000117091804000309/0001170918-04-000309.txt

 

[trancejeremy]

I actually think piracy affected Interplay less than other companies. Because their games are so huge, several discs, that only broadband users could pirate it.

My guess is, mismanagement doomed them. When they had big success with the Baldur's Gate, they probably spend the cash on stuff like fancy new offices and the like. (I single out their offices, because there was a news report earlier on how they were behind on their rent, and it was an astronomical figure per month)

 

[trancejeremy]

At last, Michael Cranford is avenged!

Actually, I never knew if Interplay did something to him or not. But he was the guy who created The Bard's Tale and The Bard's Tale II. But not the III one, and he never really did much more in the industry. I always thought Interplay must have screwed him, somehow. I could be completely wrong.

But The Bard's Tale was definitely his. He put out another RPG called "Maze Master" for the C64, that was very similar to BT, except much more primitive. It was from Hes, and came on a cartridge, of all things. So I always wondered why he wasn't involved with Bard's Tale III. Or maybe it was EA that screwed him (Interplay started as an developer for EA).

 

[JRRNeiklot]

The reason Interplay is defunct is simply because they refused to listen to their customers. Same with 3DO. I absolutely ADORED the Might and Magic/Heroes series from 3DO, but the last title in each series just plain sucked. Yeah, they're pretty to look at, nice graphics, but the gameplay just sucked. Baldur's Gate 2 was the last rpg Inerplay put out that was worth a crap, too. As long as companies ignore their customer base and jump on the bandwagon to develop prettier games instead of FUN games, this trend will continue, imo. Neverwinter Nights? I didn't like it. ToEE? Bleh. Hell, I'd buy a remake of the old Gold box series, now those games were fun. I'm not saying they shouldn't improve with the times, just that fancy graphics shouldn't be the only thing they worry about. I don't care how cool the dragon looks, if the game is fun. Guess what game I just got through playing - Might and Magic 3. I originally played this on my old C64 and it STILL kicks ass. I doubt anyone will say that about ToEE or NWN in 20 years.