Interplay to launch new online gaming network

Interplay Entertainment announced today that it is forming Interplay.com, a new online gaming network. In particular, the new network will primarily tap the company's well-known role-playing game properties through massively multiplayer gaming.

"Through the efforts of Black Isle Studios, we own some of the strongest role-playing game brands in the business and have top market share in the PC role-playing game segment," said Brian Fargo, chairman and chief executive officer of Interplay. "Their skills give us a unique position to take advantage of the lucrative massively multiplayer game phenomenon."

Black Isle Studios is the developer behind several successful role-playing games, including Fallout, Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, Icewind Dale, and Baldur's Gate II. The studio is currently working on Icewind Dale: Heart of Winter, an expansion to the fast-paced role-playing game Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights, an online Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game.

The launch of Interplay.com will also introduce streaming software demos to the site thanks to Stream Theory Inc. Stream Theory's proprietary technology quickly delivers software applications over broadband, wireless, and other connections. Interplay.com plans to use Stream Theory technology to stream Interplay's PC game demos to broadband visitors.