Bethesda may pull Interplay's airlock on Fallout MMO development

Doubt continues to spread over over Interplay's ability to produce the Fallout MMO it announced in 2006.  The financially beleagured publisher outright sold the IP for its beloved Fallout sci-fi RPG franchise to Bethesda for $5.75 million USD back in April 2007, after Bethesda initially secured licensing to produce Fallout 3 in 2004.  Bethesda would then license the rights to produce a Fallout-themed massively multiplayer online game back to Interplay, on the condition that something would ready by April 4th of this year.  Unfortunately, Interplay hasn't been doing as great lately; its recent US SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) Form 10-K filing implies the publisher may not be able to continue funding current operations, with its cash balances "approximately $0" as of December 31st 2008.  That's on top of a working deficit of about $2.4 million USD, so it's quite likely Interplay will either need to do some liquidation, or even file for bankruptcy.

Such dire lack of dough does little good in realizing a potential Fallout MMO, reportedly codenamed "Project V13", which Interplay previously estimated would require a budget of $75 million USD.  Bethesda for one certainly isn't convinced at this point, and is accusing Interplay for being in breach of their trademark license agreement.  The IP holder now wishes to terminate Interplay's license to produce a Fallout MMO.  Despite its lack of cash, Interplay makes clear it intention to dispute Bethesda's claim; the publisher certainly wouldn't want to consider the possible consequences of losing its license to produce a Fallout MMO.  After all, if Interplay isn't up to the task, then Bethesda may be forced to flex its hold on the Fallout IP once again.