Will Wright’s Hive Mind lawsuit settled

Iconic games designer Will Wright has now settled his lawsuit over Hive Mind with the outfit’s co-founder Jawad Ansari.

Wright and businessman Ansari established the operation to realise a ‘cross-platform, cross-media social gaming experience’ of the game designer’s conception, envisaged during his time with his own start-up Stupid Fun Club. With Ansaire, Wright raised some $10 million from his former employer EA, with a view to developing a combination of game, app and TV show.

However, as Hive Mind gathered funds, Wright and another partner apparently set out to oust Ansari, as reported by VentureBeat. A legal battle ensued, which has now been settled in a seemingly amicable way.

“We are pleased to have reached a friendly and respectful resolution," said Wright in a statement. "Jawad’s entrepreneurial energy, passion for the expansion of the online game industry, and tenacious execution brought the necessary elements together to build Hive Mind to where the operating team can take the company forward.”

In a separate statement Ansari said: "During my 18 years in the business, I have never met anyone who has the creativity and vision of Will Wright. Over the period of several months working with Will Wright, Will’s mentorship helped me develop a deep understanding of players’ psychology and thus the ability to see the world in dimensions that I did not know even existed. For this I would always be thankful to Will."

Wright will now continue his relationship with Stupid Fun Club, and Ansari will maintain his other business operations. Hive mind’s current status remains a mystery.