Sorry – this is two months’ worth of games law news updates, since GDC got in the way of finalising the February update. Still, what a couple of months it’s been! Here we go…
Category: Insolvency/Bankruptcy
Game Group going into administration
Game Group, the UK’s last remaining high street retailer dedicated to games, filed papers to enter administration earlier this week. Although this has been predicted for some time, it has still had a real impact on the UK games industry already – if only to renew debate about physical vs digital games retail. I spoke… Continue reading Game Group going into administration
What is administration?
Last week I wrote my ten predictions for the games industry in 2012. One of them was that we would see more developer collapses in 2012. Sadly, that’s already taking place, with news today that UK developer Monumental Games has gone into administration. I thought you might find it useful to know a little about… Continue reading What is administration?
Gamer/Law’s ten 2012 predictions
You’ve guessed it: I thought I’d jump into the it’s-a-new-year-let’s-make-some-predictions business for 2012. And, like all forward-looking predictions, I’ve mixed a few safe bets with some slightly more “punchy” predictions (which FYI is lawyer-speak for taking a massive bet on something!) Here goes, in no particular order:
Realtime Worlds enters administration
Realtime Worlds, the Dundee-based developer of MMO All Points Bulletin, suddenly entered administration earlier this week. Those of you who follow games industry developments will have known about this development since it broke (and for those who want more background or info on recent developments, have a look here on Develop or here on Edge). If… Continue reading Realtime Worlds enters administration
Insolvent Rebellion Derby faces employee issues
Update: looks like a bunch of other sites have picked up my comments on this issue, including (form a quick Google) 1UP, Nukezilla and GamePlanet. That’s nice. Original post: Gamesindustry.biz reports on reports of unpaid wages and withheld redundancy packages have from Rebellion Derby, the former Core Design studio responsible for the creation of Tomb… Continue reading Insolvent Rebellion Derby faces employee issues
Zushi Games enters administration
UK publisher Zushi Games has entered administration, reports MCV. It had previously published games including Premier Manager and Jig-a-Pix. It’s always a shame to see a company go into administration, but it’s worth bearing in mind what administration is and what it is intended to do. Read on for more… What is administration? Administration is… Continue reading Zushi Games enters administration
CDV enters insolvency, could be bought up?
German console and PC publisher CDV Software Entertainment AG has filed for insolvency at the district court in Frankfurt, reports Gamesindustry.biz. CDV’s insolvency comes soon after its victory over Southpeak in a long-running UK legal battle by CDV against Southpeak and its subsidiaries over alleged breaches of contract and copyright infringement, which saw Southpeak being… Continue reading CDV enters insolvency, could be bought up?
Stargate studio goes bankrupt, or What is Chapter 11?
Gamesindustry.biz reports that US developer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The developer group is known chiefly for its Stargate licence (it has already made Stargate Resistance and is apparently continuing work on the forthcoming MMO Stargate Worlds). This news itself comes from a statement made on CME’s Stargate forum, which… Continue reading Stargate studio goes bankrupt, or What is Chapter 11?
Commentary: Oxygen Games in administration
Just a quick one: Oxygen Games, a UK publisher of predominantly sports titles, last week controversially entered administration – specifically, a pre-pack administration. The full story is at Gamesindustry.biz (articles here). Now creditors are beginning to ask questions about exactly what is going on. The latter article carries a quote from our own Jas Purewal (reproduced below): ”… Continue reading Commentary: Oxygen Games in administration