Earthworm Jim and other Interplay IP up for sale

Interplay is now in the process of selling off most of its video game assets and intellectual property.

The studio, first founded in 1983, has operated for the last few years in a licensing capacity, charging other developers to build games based on their property, but the firm has now decided to sell these properties on.

There are around 70 titles and dozens of characters up for grabs, with Interplay appointing Wedbush Securities’ Joe Morgan to assist in the process. You can email him with IP enquiries via joe.morgan@wedbush.com.

Naturally, the IP sale does not include Fallout – sold to Bethesda back in 2007 – or any other properties already in the hands of other companies.

“Interplay has entertained millions of players with its well-recognised games, including Earthworm Jim, Freespace, Giants, Kingpin, Messiah, MDK, Run Like Hell, Sacrifice, Battlechess, Clayfighter, Dark Alliance, and Descent,” said Interplay president Eric Caen. 

“As game creators, we are proud of the entertainment these properties have provided over the years. With the proliferation of mobile, augmented reality, virtual reality and other new forms of consumption, we believe that consumers are ready to experience and interact with Interplay’s characters, stories and game play in ways never possible before. 

“We look forward to seeing how this unique portfolio of interactive entertainment icons will evolve for the worldwide audience.”

The IP sale potentially marks Interplay’s exit from the games market. While the company once thrived on the titles above – not to mention the original Fallout and the Baldur’s Gate games – debt and bankruptcy led to the firm lying almost dormant for a number of years.