Interplay is selling off Earthworm Jim, Boogerman, MDK rights

[TMNT_Guy]

http://www.seganerds.com/2016/09/08/...an-mdk-rights/

As one of the biggest Earthworm Jim nerds in history, I'm not sure what to think about this. I'd given hope for Earthworm Jim as far back as the cancelled PSP remake. I'd be cautious to see another developer try their hand after the horrible Earthworm Jim HD remake, I don't even trust Doug TenNapel after his questionable redesigns for the PSP remake. But if a developer would do it right, it would probably be the most anticipated game of my entire life.

[retr0pia75]

I'd love to see WayForward take a try at developing a new EWJ.
As for TenNapel, I'm not quite sure about him after Armikrog being a huge letdown.

[Ninjinister]

I would totally buy ClayFighter if I could.

[TheBlueTurtle1]

I would love them to recapture the magic of earthworm Jim 1 and 2. I would be very happy if this happens.

[CyberCubed]

Ubisoft should buy it.

[Wildcat]

Love Earthworm Jim too. I even liked 3D for N64. I still have my action figure from the 90s. I used to have Psycrow, Peter Puppy and Princess Whats-her-name too I think.

This is good news imo. Maybe now he'll get a comeback since they obviously were not doing anything with him.

[Powder]

If a new EJ title comes out on Nintendo platforms (or Steam) & looks promising, I'm all for it. Sucks when good properties get sat on or ruined.

[John Pannozzi]

from http://www.pcinvasion.com/interplay-...=socialnetwork

Originally Posted by Peter Parrish

Interplay, once owners of the Fallout IP until it was sold to Bethesda in 2007, now appear to be selling off their remaining assets and intellectual properties. A Nasdaq press release states that Interplay are entering into “a process” to “sell its library of video game assets and intellectual property”.

It was encroaching bankruptcy which forced Interplay’s sale of the Fallout IP (though they licensed back the rights to sell the older titles), but it’s unclear whether financial necessity is once again playing a part in this sale. Here’s how Interplay CEO Eric Caen is framing it: “With the proliferation of mobile, augmented reality, virtual reality and other new forms of consumption, we believe that consumers are ready to experience and interact with Interplay’s characters, stories and game play in ways never possible before”.

There are some well-known names among Interplay’s catalogue, including Freespace, MDK, Messiah, Sacrifice and Giants. Multiple IPs that you’d imagine would be attractive prospects for other publishers and studios. The full list from the press release is as follows: “Battle Chess, Boogerman, Clay Fighter, Dark Alliance, Descent, Earthworm Jim, Freespace, Kingpin, M.A.X., Messiah, MDK, Redneck Rampage, Run Like Hell, Sacrifice, T-Rex Rumble, and Giants“.

Most recently, Interplay licensed the Descent name to Descendant Studios for the Kickstarter project Descent: Underground.

Also, from https://www.develop-online.net/news/...r-sale/0223870

Originally Posted by James Batchelor

Interplay is now in the process of selling off most of its video game assets and intellectual property.

The studio, first founded in 1983, has operated for the last few years in a licensing capacity, charging other developers to build games based on their property, but the firm has now decided to sell these properties on.

There are around 70 titles and dozens of characters up for grabs, with Interplay appointing Wedbush Securities’ Joe Morgan to assist in the process. You can email him with IP enquiries via [email protected].

Naturally, the IP sale does not include Fallout – sold to Bethesda back in 2007 – or any other properties already in the hands of other companies.

“Interplay has entertained millions of players with its well-recognised games, including Earthworm Jim, Freespace, Giants, Kingpin, Messiah, MDK, Run Like Hell, Sacrifice, Battlechess, Clayfighter, Dark Alliance, and Descent,” said Interplay president Eric Caen.

“As game creators, we are proud of the entertainment these properties have provided over the years. With the proliferation of mobile, augmented reality, virtual reality and other new forms of consumption, we believe that consumers are ready to experience and interact with Interplay's characters, stories and game play in ways never possible before.

“We look forward to seeing how this unique portfolio of interactive entertainment icons will evolve for the worldwide audience.”

The IP sale potentially marks Interplay’s exit from the games market. While the company once thrived on the titles above – not to mention the original Fallout and the Baldur’s Gate games – debt and bankruptcy led to the firm lying almost dormant for a number of years.

[sdp]

Kind of sad but let's really analyze things, the company has tried reviving the franchises many times for the past decade or so to no success. The main point of that is take a look at what they have, the most iconic stuff is Earth Worm Jim and arguably Clay Fighters and neither franchise really works in today's age, they're definitely a product of its time. I always liked EWJ but they left the IP for too long and it only relies on nostalgia now and its 90s attitude doesn't exactly help him in the 2010s. Clay Fighters I had tons of great memories with 63 1/3 even if it was mediocre but in today's world of only competitive fighting games and it not being a mainstream genre there's no point. I used to really respect David Perry of Shiny Entertainment (bought by Interplay) back in the day, I wonder what he's up to now.

[LeotheLateBloomer]

Originally Posted by sdp

Kind of sad but let's really analyze things, the company has tried reviving the franchises many times for the past decade or so to no success. The main point of that is take a look at what they have, the most iconic stuff is Earth Worm Jim and arguably Clay Fighters and neither franchise really works in today's age, they're definitely a product of its time. I always liked EWJ but they left the IP for too long and it only relies on nostalgia now and its 90s attitude doesn't exactly help him in the 2010s. Clay Fighters I had tons of great memories with 63 1/3 even if it was mediocre but in today's world of only competitive fighting games and it not being a mainstream genre there's no point. I used to really respect David Perry of Shiny Entertainment (bought by Interplay) back in the day, I wonder what he's up to now.

This somewhat applies to Rare and some of their IPs as well.

I honestly would love to see another one of these IPs brought back. I second what CC says about Ubisoft. Earthworm Jim would work wonders with a Rayman Origins/Legends style platformer. I would do anything to see another Clayfighter game as I have some pretty fond memories with 63 1/3 as well. Never played MDK back in the day but it looks like a game I'd be interested in.