Bethesda to snatch Fallout MMO rights back?

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 16th April 2009
Comments (9) Stumble
Bethesda to snatch Fallout MMO rights back?

Bethesda originally licensed the Fallout MMO rights back to Interplay, but may now reclaim them.

Bethesda, which originally bought the rights to the entire Fallout franchise from Interplay, was quite benevolent when it came into control of the classic series. Namely, Bethesda licensed the rights to a Fallout MMO game back to the original publisher as the Bethesda team had no desire to make an MMO at that time.

Recently though the tide seems to have turned and Bethesda may be about to reclaim the rights to the Fallout MMO from Interplay after suspecting a breach of the licensing contract.

The rights to the Fallout MMO were licensed to Interplay under very specific conditions it seems - namely that the team must have fully entered development and secured funding by the start of April this year. Interplay has apparently managed to do neither of those and now Bethesda may be getting ready to revoke the license.

The news apparently comes from a 10-K financial report filed earlier today, via Edgar Online. While Bethesda apparently says in the report that it is seriously considering ""[terminating] the trademark license agreement", the action has not yet been made official.

The filing does raise the question though if whether Bethesda is so eager to get the rights back out of an interest in making a [i]Fallout MMO of it's own, or whether they just want to license the rights out elsewhere.

Who would you prefer to see a Fallout MMO come from, or do you just not want one at all? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Quote Tyrmot 16th April 2009, 11:11
I'd like to see Interplay have another shot at it, given that it's their IP in the first place... Fallout 3 was good put perhaps not all it could have been
Quote liratheal 16th April 2009, 11:28
Anyone surprised or shocked by this needs their head checking.

What company, in their right mind, is going to just give away a potentially massive revenue stream? Sure, most MMO's have fallen down when thrown against that infernal piece of **** WoW, but hey.

The last thing Bethesda want, I expect, is for Interplay to launch a Fallout MMO, and it to become successful enough for Interplay to try and buy back the FO rights, and show FO3 up.
Quote Mentai 16th April 2009, 13:06
I don't think there's room for a Fallout MMO and Fallout 4/5. Surely a lot of the gameplay would overlap? I wouldn't mind a Fallout MMO if it was done well, I don't think interplay could manage it however.
Quote AlexB 16th April 2009, 13:56
I would LOVE to see Bethesda do a proper MMO based on F3. Everyone out for themselves.. with proper PVP.. would be quite amazing.
Quote salesman 16th April 2009, 14:21
Even if there is going to be a fallout MMO it's a long way off. :P
Quote karx11erx 16th April 2009, 14:27
I would like to see Interplay succeed and prosper ... not because of Fallout.

I want Descent 4.
Quote thehippoz 16th April 2009, 15:25
would be cool to see a fallout mmo.. be fun to play an outcast- I could see griefing people too in a mmo like that.. like trap some newb in the subway and make him roid rage into retirement :D
Quote Yemerich 16th April 2009, 17:26
I would like to see Beth to die slowly and painfull for the rape they made with FO3!

Interplay need that that chance to show people that they are able to raise FO from the limbo that Beth put it on. Although i think a MMO would be a real challenge to a company that was pratically stinguished. But if they are willing to give up the fight, why they sold the rights for FO to save the company?

I swear to god (even being agnostic) if i live anyewhere near Interplay i would gladly work for them for a low salary just to make this one game rock! So we could rise interplay again... Perhaps Black Isle too?...
Quote docodine 17th April 2009, 02:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yemerich
I would like to see Beth to die slowly and painfull for the rape they made with FO3!

Interplay need that that chance to show people that they are able to raise FO from the limbo that Beth put it on. Although i think a MMO would be a real challenge to a company that was pratically stinguished. But if they are willing to give up the fight, why they sold the rights for FO to save the company?

I swear to god (even being agnostic) if i live anyewhere near Interplay i would gladly work for them for a low salary just to make this one game rock! So we could rise interplay again... Perhaps Black Isle too?...

Have you played the beta of Interplay's FO3? It's complete garbage. I'm very glad that it went the way that it did, Interplay can concentrate on their other games, they've lost the Fallout series, too bad. If they really wanted it, they would've started on the MMO.
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