Interplay Loses All Rights to Fallout, Bethesda Hands Over $2mill

The details on the settlement between Interplay and Bethesda have been revealed, and it could be bad news for anyone hoping for a return to Fallout 1 and 2.

According to a press release made by Bethesda, Interplay have effectively lost all rights to the Fallout brand and will not be producing an MMO anymore. Bethesda now hold the right to develop any Fallout games (including an MMO,) as well as the rights to any Fallout games produced by Interplay as of December 2013.

ZeniMax Media Inc. (the guys who own Bethesda,) however, have agreed to give Interplay $2 million as a parting gift. But can this save Interplay from going broke? The studio has reported financial troubles, and with the loss to the rights of the original Fallout games in 2013, it’s hard to say what may happen.

So what does this mean for you? Not very much, really. Up until December 2013, Interplay will still get money from all sales of Fallout 1, Fallout 2 and Fallout Tactics – after that they’ll belong to Bethesda. One can hope Bethesda’s fight for the MMO rights as well as rights to the Fallout brand entirely could mean that they might pick up on one themselves, but that’s mere speculation.

Come on, Bethesda – Fallout on the Creation engine. You know it’s a good idea.

[Bethblog]