Interplay relaunches site, rehires original Fallout dev

Flush with Fallout IP cash, the once-mighty publisher reestablishes Web presence, announces Chris Taylor on board for Fallout MMOG.

Remember Interplay Entertainment? Founded by Brian Fargo in 1983, it became one of the top publishers of the decade, releasing Descent, Wasteland, and The Bard's Tale for various home-computing platforms. In the '90s, it published even more classics, including BioWare's Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms game Baldur's Gate and its self-developed role-playing-game landmarks, Fallout and Fallout 2.

Unfortunately, the 21st century wasn't kind to Interplay. Fargo left the company in 2002 when it was bought by French firm Titus Interactive. His successor as CEO, Herve Caen, presided over the company's slow financial disintegration, which led to the cancellation of the "Van Buren" Fallout 3, the closure of Black Isle studios, and the laying off of almost all Interplay staff.

Though written off by many as dead, Interplay hung on, with Caen and a skeleton crew hawking its marquee IPs. They got their first buyer in July 2004, when Bethesda Softworks announced that it had licensed the rights to develop and publish Fallout 3. Three years later, Bethesda bought the Fallout IP outright, giving Interplay a much-needed cash infusion and leaving it with rights to develop a Fallout massively multiplayer online role-playing game.

Now, a year after the Fallout fire sale, Interplay appears to have risen from the grave. The company today launched an all-new Web site at Interplay.com and opened a new office in Irvine.

Perhaps more importantly, the company laid more concrete plans for development of its proposed Fallout MMORPG, code-named "Project V13." Interplay has rehired Chris Taylor*, one of the developers of the original Fallout in the mid-1990s, to be lead system designer for the game. According to its careers page, the publisher is also hiring a technical director for Project V13 to oversee all aspects of programming for the project.

* Not to be confused with Gas Powered Games' Chris Taylor.

175 Comments

  • Persseus

    Posted Apr 19, 2009 6:28 am PT

    Fallout 3 isn't Oblivion with guns, but it's not Fallout. It lacks deep, both dialogue and story line. In Fallout 1 the scene with the master was something incredible, the only game that achieve that kind of deep was Torment. And Fallout 3 doesn't have such rich characters like Deckerd, Sulik, Marcus, Harlod, or even the guy that was scared of the deathclaws in Fallout 1. So, i give Interplay a big welcome back!

  • Kalundume

    Posted Feb 6, 2009 11:14 am PT

    Let's hope they will give us something more than just another MMORPG, I am a gamer of traditional story-rich single player CRPGs, so a MMORPG does not excite me at all. We will wait and see ...

  • akburst510

    Posted Nov 16, 2008 12:48 am PT

    All this bashing is ridiculous. I've played games as long as most of you have (long) and played every fallout title, and am very satisfied with both Brotherhood of Steel and Fallout 3. Bethesda is doing a damn fine job with its RPG's.

    Interplay (Bioware specifically) is responsible for many great games and I hope they can live up to their name in the future.

  • stoneofsilver

    Posted Nov 12, 2008 8:16 pm PT

    It's grate to hear thay are coming back.

  • TehEliteElite

    Posted Oct 22, 2008 10:36 am PT

    They killed Black Isle, they should STAY DEAD.

  • Carbon-Sniper

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 11:32 am PT

    I'm glad that Interplay are coming back, they made some fantastic games over the years. It's a shame they couldn't make Fallout 3, but i guess the payload was good enough for them to come back in business!

  • skitchrick

    Posted Oct 9, 2008 10:35 am PT

    Does this mean I can finally register Fallout? I've been worried about forfeiting those special offers for years!

  • archerus

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 8:45 pm PT

    Awesome

  • archerus

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 8:45 pm PT

    Awesome

  • amerus

    Posted Oct 3, 2008 5:14 am PT

    awsome, old companies, good games! me like!!

  • lostboy85

    Posted Oct 2, 2008 2:06 pm PT

    interesting. i'm going to have to keep my eyes on this one. happy re-birth interplay!

  • uberjannie

    Posted Oct 1, 2008 4:01 pm PT

    PRE-ORDER! dibs!

  • GCase1

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 9:12 pm PT

    If they can get the original guys who got laid off working on this title, this could be one hell of a game.

  • Twinington

    Posted Sep 30, 2008 12:21 am PT

    That sounds awesome.

  • irilthor

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:53 pm PT

    after i grew tired of world of warcraft i have tried all mmo's that came out since.. tabula rasa / conan / warhammer online... tabula rasa and conan werent really satisfying, while warhammer felt like playing world of warcraft all over again with a few changes...
    i think warhammer would have been better if it was placed in its 2k scenario.

    anyway back on topic: after having played all those mmo's i just felt like there wasnt really a refreshing mmo on the market and i said to my friends.. you know what would be awesome.. an MMO in the world of Fallout...
    and now i read this.. i KNEW they couldnt keep themselves from making a mmo in the wonderfull world of fallout its just THE PERFECT setting for an mmo

  • murixo

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:46 pm PT

    Anyone comparing Oblivion to Fallout 1 or 2 is from a different RPG Game Culinary Universe. It is like comparing salsa to ice cream, guacamole to pickles, Grand Marnier to Southern Comfort,Sangria to Boon's Farm,Chinese noodles with sauce to Chow Mai Fun. They all have "the right taste for the occasion",
    but it all depends on the fact of ....what you are willing to swallow/eat/drink for that particular occasion.

  • murixo

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:31 pm PT

    I heard someone mention Chris Taylor in prior posts.
    If memory serves me right, he is the Gas Powered Games/ Microsoft wizard, who put Dungeon Siege on the market with a new "seamless engine". "DS" was an excellent game with miles of flexibility/modding possible. Every sequel, including "DS2" fell short.

  • murixo

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 6:16 pm PT

    Fallout and Fallout 2 are stand alone icons. I know, I own both in pristine condition and still play them from time to time.....each time discovering something new. They both were very captivating, innovative story lines only limited by present available technology in the PC world at that time. I hope, that Fallout 3 at least lives up to this legacy, not being a total bogus like The Brotherhood of Steel.

  • Vargre666

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:57 pm PT

    Anyone who thinks FO3 is Oblivion with guns is going to miss a major milestone in computer gaming. Let them think that, its their loss. FO3 is going to blast its way on to the scene (as its already been doing. I have not yet seen ONE game critic write a bad preview, or say anything less than that this game is THE game they are waiting on) It would be awesome to see Interplay back, I grew up on the Bards Tale series, with my apple IIe and Amiga. Fallout was a milestone then, it will be now. And an MMO? Oi...how mind blowing would THAT be?

  • existenceisfuti

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 1:50 pm PT

    my head just exploded again. Anyways it's great to see Interplay rising from the grave. I want my Descent back

  • AOldDog

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 4:48 am PT

    TO absinthewfaust [see below]

  • AOldDog

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 4:47 am PT

    TO : Dude U R wrong ! First of all Fallout is NOT Oblivion with guns, and second "Oblivion" was a great game & i think that, this parallel between the 2 of them shows how much u know RPG in general and the world of fallout in particular!
    Good night Kidd , & stay [please] away from the NET !

  • Targzissian

    Posted Sep 29, 2008 12:03 am PT

    The game world isn't big enough for two Chris Taylors. One of them will have to go.

  • Soldaten027

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 9:54 pm PT

    WOOHOO!!!

  • absinthewfaust

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 11:48 am PT

    Fallout 3 = Oblivion with guns. Interplay and Bethesda, apples and oranges. Todd Howard is bastardizing Fallout. Long live Interplay!

  • wishiwasuber

    Posted Sep 28, 2008 9:49 am PT

    It will be intresting to see if they can pull off this come back

  • GeneralArrow

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 11:22 pm PT

    This should be epic.

  • world69star69

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 7:59 pm PT

    Great, Interplay was the best back in the day! Here's to hoping that the mmo isn't the only thing they will be working on. Bring back some classic franchises in true rpg fashion! There are too many mmos, I don't like them(I've tried at least 9 dif mmos and stuck with none past level 30)...Maybe i will give this a try, but mmos aren't really my thing.

  • CamronNBA

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 4:46 pm PT

    Fallout MMO will be the true sequel to FO1/2. Here's hoping Fallout 3 ships as "FalLo(L)ut FPS", allowing interplay to make a true sequel

  • solatron

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 3:17 pm PT

    long live Interplay.

  • zodi

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 2:06 pm PT

    You would have think they would have fired the CEO by now for its dismall performance. But maybe he has learned the error of his ways. Here's hoping the MMO isn't a flop.

  • rikhan_z

    Posted Sep 27, 2008 1:53 pm PT

    yay, Interplay LIVES!

  • serious_sam1122

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 9:06 pm PT

    Hmmm, would like to see Fallout 3 before I decide if I would like a MMORPG.

  • dparmenter99

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 4:38 pm PT

    Here's hoping this works out. I've been looking forward to a Fallout MMORPG for a long time!

  • FilthyYamBag

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 3:33 pm PT

    YES!!!

  • dbe425

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 1:11 pm PT

    I've never played a single Fallout game but Fallout 3 has peek my interest. I'm not interested in a Fallout MMO however.

  • Redgarl

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 11:01 am PT

    The only true sequel to Fallout IMO.

  • Torque1599

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 10:39 am PT

    It could be worse. They could put Chuck Cuevas on the project.

  • jarule88

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 7:48 am PT

    isn't this kind a stupid... it would be like a blizzard making another expansion fo WoW... but EA would make warcraft 4 ?? ahahahah imagine that withut any co-operation

  • phantom5242

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 4:46 am PT

    Oh God this is terrible news. I thought those a-holes were gone for good. But given that a douchebag like Chris Taylor is now in charge it's good to know they won't last for long.

  • Deluhathol

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 3:00 am PT

    w00t!! Great News! Looking forward to hearing more from them in the future.

  • Deluhathol

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 3:00 am PT

    w00t!! Great News! Looking forward to hearing more from them in the future.

  • EXODYS

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 2:54 am PT

    This is GREAT news, especially now that they have our good ol' Chris Taylor on the wagon. Welcome back Interplay :-D
    Oh and I hope that you'll stick around this time, focus on what you're doing best; RPG with awesome storylines

  • kotetsu2k2

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 1:02 am PT

    cHHHH,... is nobody considering CARMAGEDDON. seriously people that would be SICK.

    love fallout to death, i do, but i really want a new carmageddon. would put twisted metal, need for speed, and gta all to shame.

  • eaverae

    Posted Sep 26, 2008 12:07 am PT

    Maybe a new Descent? Haha XD

  • azphaltbass

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 10:19 pm PT

    Jim and Boogerman to Virtual Console this year! EJ 4 in development! Screw the MMO's, we want Jim!

  • Pyroninja42

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 6:59 pm PT

    A fallout mmo is gonna be sick.

  • burntheland

    Posted Sep 25, 2008 5:58 pm PT

    Good news, for Interplay for now. Hope they concentrate on what they did best, interesting story lines.

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