Fallout Online and several other Interplay-developed titles may be in serious jeopardy, according to a US Securities and Exchange Commission report filed by Interplay last week. Develop discovered the filing, which spells out dire financial concerns for the immediate future of the company. Multiple times, the report states:
"If we do not receive sufficient financing or income we may (i) liquidate assets, (ii) sell the company (iii) seek protection from our creditors including the filing of voluntary bankruptcy or being the subject of involuntary bankruptcy, and/or (iv) continue operations, but incur material harm to our business, operations or financial conditions. These conditions, combined with our historical operating losses and our deficits in stockholders' equity and working capital, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern."
Similarly worrying, the company's current cash balance is approximately $3,000 (yes, that's just three thousand dollars, seriously), and it's operating with nearly $2.9 million in debt. The filing also illuminates the company's shift from paying its developers upfront for projects to working on a "net revenue sharing model," where devs get a cut of the final sales rather than paid when their work is complete. While that model sounds hugely profitable for third-party devs, and has been sporadically successful in the movie business, it seems to signal something less than wonderful in Interplay's case.
Additionally, the company's credit agreement has ended, which Interplay says "has resulted in a substantial reduction in the cash available to finance our operations." Rather than assure investors that everything will work out, the company again warns of potential negative outcomes, saying instead, "There can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into a new credit agreement or that if we do enter into a new credit agreement, it will be on terms favorable to us."
Currently, Interplay has five known projects, ranging from a lawsuit-entangled Fallout MMO to a sparsely detailed Earthworm Jim sequel. Several WiiWare and DSiWare projects are also in the works, though the fate of all five games could be grim given the wording of the company's SEC filing.
Reader Comments (70)
Posted: May 31st 2011 2:54PM SirPsycho said
Interplay still has investors?
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:15PM HedonisticKai said
@SirPsycho
Well it looks like interplays budget
*takes off sunglasses*
is in no doubt, a fallout
Reply
Well it looks like interplays budget
*takes off sunglasses*
is in no doubt, a fallout
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:33PM The Only Girl said
@HedonisticKai
...so it's...a safe house in residual radiation?
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...so it's...a safe house in residual radiation?
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:37PM The Only Girl said
@The Only Girl
lol let me rephrase that for the sake of my sanity.
"Interplay budget is 'residual radiation'".
The term Fallout is used too strangely these days like nobody knows what it means anymore.
Reply
lol let me rephrase that for the sake of my sanity.
"Interplay budget is 'residual radiation'".
The term Fallout is used too strangely these days like nobody knows what it means anymore.
Posted: May 31st 2011 4:01PM HedonisticKai said
@The Only Girl
shhh, you are supposed to be saying:
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! instead of correcting yourself
Reply
shhh, you are supposed to be saying:
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!! instead of correcting yourself
Posted: May 31st 2011 4:09PM HedonisticKai said
@The Only Girl
Or ill just own you real quick and post this:
fall·out
noun /ˈfôlˌout/
- Radioactive particles that are carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion or accident and gradually fall back as dust or in precipitation
-The adverse side effects or results of a situation
::almost as dramatic as the financial scale of the mess is the growing political fallout
Airborne substances resulting from an industrial process or accident
- acid fallout from power stations
--------------
feel free to read the 2nd definition, and feel dumb
Reply
Or ill just own you real quick and post this:
fall·out
noun /ˈfôlˌout/
- Radioactive particles that are carried into the atmosphere after a nuclear explosion or accident and gradually fall back as dust or in precipitation
-The adverse side effects or results of a situation
::almost as dramatic as the financial scale of the mess is the growing political fallout
Airborne substances resulting from an industrial process or accident
- acid fallout from power stations
--------------
feel free to read the 2nd definition, and feel dumb
Posted: May 31st 2011 6:39PM The Only Girl said
@HedonisticKai
Huh a douche, I see. Just to let you know, we're talking about Fallout. As in nuclear residue. Get over yourself.
Reply
Huh a douche, I see. Just to let you know, we're talking about Fallout. As in nuclear residue. Get over yourself.
Posted: Jun 1st 2011 4:46PM HedonisticKai said
@SirPsycho
How many bottle caps are those binkies worth nowadays?
Reply
How many bottle caps are those binkies worth nowadays?
Posted: May 31st 2011 2:56PM Pure Black World Tendency said
Sad when considering all the Interplay titles I've enjoyed over the years, but on the other hand they don't really have much relevance in gaming today, so this might be for the best.
Posted: May 31st 2011 6:21PM arrrdawg said
@Pure Black World Tendency
Nope. Interplay is Interplay in name only. When Titus bought Interplay, all the important people either left or got fired. Just remember that Interplay was merely a publisher to begin with and in 2003 they closed all the internal dev studios along with their office and website. Everybody thought they were dead but because of a loophole the Cain brothers of Titus were able to revive it and sell off Interplay IPs to make ends meet.
So in that sense, Interplay has been dead since 2003
Reply
Nope. Interplay is Interplay in name only. When Titus bought Interplay, all the important people either left or got fired. Just remember that Interplay was merely a publisher to begin with and in 2003 they closed all the internal dev studios along with their office and website. Everybody thought they were dead but because of a loophole the Cain brothers of Titus were able to revive it and sell off Interplay IPs to make ends meet.
So in that sense, Interplay has been dead since 2003
Posted: May 31st 2011 2:59PM Regularpants said
That is genuinely disappointing to hear. I wish the company luck.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:02PM Red Runner said
I say good riddance to Fallout Online. Fallout 3 bored me to tears.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:19PM peternography said
@Red Runner
usually people that have something negative to say about fallout 3 dislike the game only because they couldn't play it right, the same guys whom last achievement in the game was "Escape!"
meaning they made it out of vault 101 then had no F'ing idea on what to do next even though you have a compass that points you in the right direction
these are the same guys that have oblivion and the last achievement is for escaping the imperial sewers, then they complain about that game too
and to top it all off the also have fallout: New Vegas and "ain't that a kick in the head" is their last achievement, and again complain about how disappointed the were in fallout 3 and they picked up new vegas hoping for something better... yeah right
sorry for the rant, but it is my belief that these people are rubes for not being able to find Jauffre, Colin Moriarty, or one of many people who saw "the man in the checkered coat", and i'm pretty sure they are going to buy elder scrolls 5 and complain about that one too.
Reply
usually people that have something negative to say about fallout 3 dislike the game only because they couldn't play it right, the same guys whom last achievement in the game was "Escape!"
meaning they made it out of vault 101 then had no F'ing idea on what to do next even though you have a compass that points you in the right direction
these are the same guys that have oblivion and the last achievement is for escaping the imperial sewers, then they complain about that game too
and to top it all off the also have fallout: New Vegas and "ain't that a kick in the head" is their last achievement, and again complain about how disappointed the were in fallout 3 and they picked up new vegas hoping for something better... yeah right
sorry for the rant, but it is my belief that these people are rubes for not being able to find Jauffre, Colin Moriarty, or one of many people who saw "the man in the checkered coat", and i'm pretty sure they are going to buy elder scrolls 5 and complain about that one too.
Posted: May 31st 2011 6:24PM arrrdawg said
@Aerothorn
The guy your referring to was contracted by interplay along with FO1&2's dialog writer. He replaced another former FO creator who left the project and called it a train wreck. He hasn't made a modern video game and the only FO game he was connected to was FO1. I think he came up with the SPECIAL system to replace the GURPS system they weren't allowed to do. Other than that he made Tactics too which sucked. So there is no way he could've polished this turd.
Reply
The guy your referring to was contracted by interplay along with FO1&2's dialog writer. He replaced another former FO creator who left the project and called it a train wreck. He hasn't made a modern video game and the only FO game he was connected to was FO1. I think he came up with the SPECIAL system to replace the GURPS system they weren't allowed to do. Other than that he made Tactics too which sucked. So there is no way he could've polished this turd.
Posted: May 31st 2011 7:38PM The Aquacharger said
@peternography
Actually I beat Oblivion and made it half way through FO3 and I disliked both. Oblivion was too empty for my taste which made it get boring quick. FO3 was just boring for me. I understood the empty wasteland, so it wasn't that. There was just no thrill r enjoyment like in Fallout 1,2, and Tatics. However, I can see why people would like them but they're not for me.
Reply
Actually I beat Oblivion and made it half way through FO3 and I disliked both. Oblivion was too empty for my taste which made it get boring quick. FO3 was just boring for me. I understood the empty wasteland, so it wasn't that. There was just no thrill r enjoyment like in Fallout 1,2, and Tatics. However, I can see why people would like them but they're not for me.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:02PM Aerothorn said
Interplay has been in dire straits for almost a decade now. They should have let it die and liquidated its assets and franchises a while ago, rather than this insane attempt to build an expensive game in what is arguably the most competitive and risky market (MMOs).
Seriously, Interplay - let someone else make a Descent game.
Seriously, Interplay - let someone else make a Descent game.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:04PM Controlled Chaos said
Deja vu...
It's like we experienced this before, say, six years ago, when Interplay had to sell the Fallout IP to Bethesda to get themselves out of bankruptcy...
It's like we experienced this before, say, six years ago, when Interplay had to sell the Fallout IP to Bethesda to get themselves out of bankruptcy...
Posted: May 31st 2011 5:43PM Chief Oddball said
@Controlled Chaos
Or even 1998, when Interplay went public, suffered massive losses and canceled, among other games, Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury.
Reply
Or even 1998, when Interplay went public, suffered massive losses and canceled, among other games, Star Trek: Secret of Vulcan Fury.
Posted: May 31st 2011 11:40PM Controlled Chaos said
@Chief Oddball
Forgot about that...
Have to admit, they made some good Star Trek games back in the day. I always liked Judgment Rites. I still have that CD kicking around somewhere.
Reply
Forgot about that...
Have to admit, they made some good Star Trek games back in the day. I always liked Judgment Rites. I still have that CD kicking around somewhere.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:04PM EndynOmni said
I'll admit, I'd rather see a Fallout MMO made by bethesda, but maybe I'm in the minority. I DO want to see another Earthworm Jim game, though. Interplay, how much do you need to make Earthworm Jim 3 (I'm ignoring EWJ64).
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:17PM The Wicker Man said
@EndynOmni I am inclined to agree. New Vegas was a chance to get things we lost from Van Buren's collapse and instead it wasn't as strong a title as 3. It was still a great game though. But truthfully, I do not see why we need MMOs of everything. It is usually just a cash grab on the pubs part. Perhaps a more single player focused Fallout would have succeeded as an MMO. Or, what if they had done an isometric 3rd view and style like the old games? It would have been a lot cheaper and I would have played...(sorry I am thinking out loud)
Reply
Posted: May 31st 2011 4:53PM The Wicker Man said
@nerdydesi I never really finished my point. Sorry. I was just saying there were more original team members on New Vegas and that just because it is from Interplay doesn't mean its is a true Fallout. Broken Hearts was great, and so were many of the things planned for Van Buren that made it into New Vegas.
Reply
Posted: May 31st 2011 5:39PM Urethra Alfredo said
@EndynOmni
Tell me about it.
There was that awesome looking 2.5D Earthworm Jim game being developed for the PSP a couple of years ago...which was abruptly cancelled.
I'm guessing Earthworm Jim HD didn't exactly set XBLA/PSN on fire, or we'd be hearing about some sort of follow-up by now...
Reply
Tell me about it.
There was that awesome looking 2.5D Earthworm Jim game being developed for the PSP a couple of years ago...which was abruptly cancelled.
I'm guessing Earthworm Jim HD didn't exactly set XBLA/PSN on fire, or we'd be hearing about some sort of follow-up by now...
Posted: Jun 1st 2011 2:50AM The Aquacharger said
@Urethra Alfredo
http://www.1up.com/news/interplay-announces-earthworm-jim-4
I heard about it forever ago. JoyStiq never posted it.
Reply
http://www.1up.com/news/interplay-announces-earthworm-jim-4
I heard about it forever ago. JoyStiq never posted it.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:04PM peternography said
the world is a cold dark place, and I'm okay with that but that's a job less for Ron Pearlman
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:04PM Cleaver said
Wow, I bought $30 worth of Interplay games last month when I discovered GOG.com. Never would have thought 1% of their total cash balance came from me.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:09PM Manifest37 said
Had they put all resources on a beautifully crafted Earthworm Jim Sequel, this may not have happened.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:10PM soorma said
They certainly are having a.... fallout
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:11PM Dirty said
You could say the the bottom...... fell out.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:12PM The Wicker Man said
I hate to lose more gaming companies, but this thing has been in critical condition for years. Who would want to buy any of the assets they sell off? They will just continue to develop those ips and sue you for control alá Fallout.(alá peanut butter sandwiches)
Posted: May 31st 2011 5:34PM Urethra Alfredo said
@The Wicker Man
Me.
I will gladly pay Interplay seven dollars and forty-six cents for the rights to the Redneck Rampage franchise.
If only to ensure that no one ever tries to revive it. Ever.
I'm looking at you, Gearbox.
Reply
Me.
I will gladly pay Interplay seven dollars and forty-six cents for the rights to the Redneck Rampage franchise.
If only to ensure that no one ever tries to revive it. Ever.
I'm looking at you, Gearbox.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:14PM PR0F3TA said
I like that one song by..... Fallout Boy
amidoinitrite?
amidoinitrite?
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:45PM darkinchworm said
@PR0F3TA
Never again should that... collective of... "musicians" be associated with anything Fallout
Reply
Never again should that... collective of... "musicians" be associated with anything Fallout
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:14PM Arsenal said
"On December 8, 2003, Interplay laid off the entire Black Isle Studios staff."
This.
This.
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:23PM SpacemanSpaniard said
@Aerothorn
Seriously, I'd pay them 3k just for the license to the Freespace games...its about time we got some FS3 goin...
Seriously, I'd pay them 3k just for the license to the Freespace games...its about time we got some FS3 goin...
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:34PM Sidon said
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(ii)
(iii)
Posted: May 31st 2011 3:57PM TheRedComet said
Interplay has made some fantastic games through the years but all I can think of right now is their godawful Total Recall game for NES.








