Interplay selling Earthworm Jim, Clay Fighter, Descent and other IPs

Interplay selling Earthworm Jim, Clay Fighter, Descent and other IPs

Interplay president Eric Caen announced that it will sell off more than 70 of its intellectual properties.

Here’s the official statement from Interplay president Eric Caen regarding the move:

“Interplay has entertained millions of players with its well-recognized games, including Earthworm Jim, Freespace, Giants, Kingpin, Messiah, MDK, Run Like Hell, Sacrifice, Battlechess, Clayfighter, Dark Alliance, and Descent. 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 company was responsible for lending other start-ups a helping hand. Brian Fargo gave his friend Allen Adham contractual work when Adham’s studio, Silicon & Synapse, was struggling to get off the ground. Thanks to Interplay’s boost, S&S went on to become Blizzard Entertainment.

“Interplay has not developed any games in quite a long time. The company collaborated with Subdued Software put a remake of Battle Chess on Kickstarter in 2013, but the drive ultimately failed to reach its $100,000 goal. Subdued continued the project and Interplay published the game on Steam.

Interplay tried again in 2015 with Freespace: Tactics, a tactical miniatures game based on the Descent: Freespace brand. It also failed to reach its goal. That same year, Interplay licensed the Descent brand to Descendent Studios for its crowd-funded revival Descent: Underground. That title was successfully funded and is currently available on Steam Early Access.”

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