Pocket Plane Group

Miscellany, Inc. => Ensign First Class Blather => Topic started by: icelus on April 20, 2004, 12:02:16 PM

Title: Interplay forums
Post by: icelus on April 20, 2004, 12:02:16 PM
I've heard the rumors, deduced the possibilities, and scoured Aurora for more details from her SEKRIT source, but I'm curious if anyone has seen solid proof that Interplay's Forums are down because, well, Interplay is about to go *poof*.  Bouncing checks, evictions, and lack of payroll funds are all harbingers...
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Ghreyfain on April 20, 2004, 03:33:09 PM
Boohoo.  While I like many of their games, I have no respect for those chumps.  Then again, I don't have any memories from their glory days to cloud my vision, so I can understand if other folks are disappointed.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 20, 2004, 04:10:57 PM
If indeed Interplay's out of business, I'll be converting PPG into a Wasteland/Neuromancer modding forum. So, go pick up a C64 at the thirft store, everybody...
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: discharger12 on April 20, 2004, 04:20:29 PM
Does anyone here use the interplay forums? I think I saw Icelus there once..
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Alarielle on April 20, 2004, 04:21:14 PM
nah, I don't like them very much
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: NiGHTMARE on April 20, 2004, 04:37:41 PM
Boohoo.  While I like many of their games, I have no respect for those chumps.  Then again, I don't have any memories from their glory days to cloud my vision, so I can understand if other folks are disappointed.

Mind you, are any of the current PC game publishers worthy of much respect? Microsoft, EIDOS, EA, Atari and Activision certainly aren't (unless we're talking purely of respect for financial acumen, in which case Microsoft and EA most certainly are worthy of much respect) .
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jester on April 20, 2004, 04:44:21 PM
Commodore 64, you say? I have mine ready! Glory days of Interplay? I remember the glory days of Black Isle which is no more. :(
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: discharger12 on April 20, 2004, 04:49:46 PM
Boohoo.  While I like many of their games, I have no respect for those chumps.  Then again, I don't have any memories from their glory days to cloud my vision, so I can understand if other folks are disappointed.

Mind you, are any of the current PC game publishers worthy of much respect? Microsoft, EIDOS, EA, Atari and Activision certainly aren't (unless we're talking purely of respect for financial acumen, in which case Microsoft and EA most certainly are worthy of much respect) .

Any companies that we do like?
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Shodan on April 20, 2004, 05:30:05 PM
I've heard the rumors, deduced the possibilities, and scoured Aurora for more details from her SEKRIT source, but I'm curious if anyone has seen solid proof that Interplay's Forums are down because, well, Interplay is about to go *poof*.  Bouncing checks, evictions, and lack of payroll funds are all harbingers...

They're gone. Finito. Interplay is bankrupt. Forum permanently down. Forevar.

I've spent 2 years at BiS boards and we got sent to Interplay unwillingly. After what? 8 months? Interplay succesfully pissed off the entire community and now they're dead. There were so many incidents at that forum. Incridible. Lord Jim, the maniac self appointed (hacked himself to a Admin, was actually some dirtbag freelancer) admin and totally pissed off everyone. Banning people. Closing parts of the forum.

Bah, i'm in a crap mood now. Wasted 3 years of my life trying to help people with Bg2 on the BiS boards and on Interplay. For what? That's right. Nothing. FU Interplay, may you burn in hell.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Dark Raven on April 20, 2004, 05:35:32 PM
Their main site is functional.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: discharger12 on April 20, 2004, 05:41:01 PM
FU Interplay, may you burn in hell.

Thats right Shodan, let it all out.. release your anger...
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 20, 2004, 06:20:53 PM
Interplay's stock continues to trade, so they have not filed for bankruptcy.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jester on April 20, 2004, 06:30:43 PM
Interplay's stock continues to trade, so they have not filed for bankruptcy.
Doesn't it still trade when they file for protection under Article 7 ( or something like this I believe). It is not bankruptcy but close.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Rathwellin the Bard on April 20, 2004, 06:57:28 PM
I actually used the Interplay forums quite a bit.  Shodan your presence and others made it an interesting and fun place.  I learned a fair amount there and felt like I got to help a few other folks too.  I can honestly say that I’ll miss that environment.

As a casual user I never saw the politics, just the good environment you folks helped create.  In fact I learned about this forum at the Interplay boards.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: icelus on April 20, 2004, 07:07:18 PM
Compared to some of the other BG-related forums available, Interplay wasn't bad at all.  Many of its regulars, however, has split off into a few new forums:

Ashford City - http://ashfordcity.beigetower.org/forum/index.php
WinterWind - http://www.gamertalk.biz/
Mistress' Lair - http://www.mistresslair.net/phpBB2/install/install.php (down, at the moment)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: MyFinalHeaven on April 20, 2004, 07:11:21 PM
Bioware's forums are way better  :P
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: discharger12 on April 20, 2004, 07:36:36 PM
I think I'll just stick to PPG :)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jester on April 20, 2004, 07:43:17 PM
*rejoicing sounds in the background* :P
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Mongoose87 on April 20, 2004, 09:12:51 PM
Suggestion:  Although Interplay stock remains on the market don't buy any  ;)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Tinuviel on April 20, 2004, 09:20:20 PM
Another suggestion: The hell with all stocks and invest in beer instead.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 20, 2004, 09:50:59 PM
Interplay's stock continues to trade, so they have not filed for bankruptcy.
Doesn't it still trade when they file for protection under Article 7 ( or something like this I believe). It is not bankruptcy but close.

It IS possible for stock to continue to trade during bankruptcy but the symbol changes. That hasn't happened.

I know way more than I want to (but still not as much as I could) about bankrupcty from covering the death of Commodore 10 years ago.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Aurora on April 20, 2004, 10:51:37 PM
All the cool kids hang out at ML.

And some of the losers, too.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 21, 2004, 12:17:58 AM
...and looky looky, Interplay's stock symbol has changed.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Nesquaam on April 21, 2004, 08:37:14 AM
FU Interplay, may you burn in hell.

Thats right Shodan, let it all out.. release your anger...

Anger leads to hate, hate leads to the dark side ... (Yoda voice)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Andyr on April 21, 2004, 09:05:00 AM
So, Interplay is definitely gone FOREVAR, is it? I was wondering why the boards are down.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 21, 2004, 10:14:34 AM
Interplay is currently "evaluati[ng]... strategic alternatives designed to enhance value to Interplay's shareholders." This usually means "we can't hack it the way things are going, so we're gonna have to sell out or something."

Interplay's situation has long been unique (read: stupid) because of the way they mortgaged themselves to Titus which eventually took over the company. In the announcement and in last week's conference call, they're still talking about hanging around as a going concern, but I have a hard time figuring out what their business model is supposed to be. Interplay is neither studio nor publisher nor distributor any longer--they're basically just a middleman between studios and Vivendi which now does their actual publishing and distribution, and that's a tricky way to make money.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jester on April 21, 2004, 02:18:22 PM
Thanks for all the background info, but from what I read in your post Interplay does not have a real excuse to exist any further anyways other than as a logo.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 21, 2004, 03:13:52 PM
And a source of intellectual property, yes. Certainly the Fallout, IWD and Torment brands have some sort of value. I don't know if Interplay controls some of the older notable titles it published, such as Out Of This World/Another World.

...hell, if they still had the rights to Neuromancer or other William Gibson properties, that would probably be worth something to somebody.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Mongoose87 on April 21, 2004, 06:21:00 PM
Interplay has Battle Chess!
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: MyFinalHeaven on April 21, 2004, 06:42:48 PM
Who has the Descent licence?
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 21, 2004, 07:25:48 PM
Pretty sure that's still Interplay as well.

If they do actually file, I'll be sure to request their bankruptcy documentation, which always contains loads of interesting information. I had hours of fun going through Commodore's patent holdings.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: BigRob on April 21, 2004, 09:35:29 PM
Let's all hope that the Torment, Fallout and all the other licences get sold on the cheap to people who can make decent games out of them.   :-\
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Cybersquirt on April 22, 2004, 06:18:06 AM
^ eh, you mean sequels, right?  ;)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jester on April 22, 2004, 06:28:47 AM
Pretty sure that's still Interplay as well.

If they do actually file, I'll be sure to request their bankruptcy documentation, which always contains loads of interesting information. I had hours of fun going through Commodore's patent holdings.
That would be interesting indeed. Do you have to be a shareholder to get hold of theses docs? I bet they are going to sit on any decent license until its usefullness for others has expired. Hey this could reinvigorate the old 'let's buy the engine together' debate. :)
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: MyFinalHeaven on April 22, 2004, 07:47:52 AM
Pretty sure that's still Interplay as well.

If they do actually file, I'll be sure to request their bankruptcy documentation, which always contains loads of interesting information. I had hours of fun going through Commodore's patent holdings.
That would be interesting indeed. Do you have to be a shareholder to get hold of theses docs? I bet they are going to sit on any decent license until its usefullness for others has expired. Hey this could reinvigorate the old 'let's buy the engine together' debate. :)

I always thought Bioware had a hold of the inifinity engine  ???
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 22, 2004, 09:41:34 AM
That would be interesting indeed. Do you have to be a shareholder to get hold of theses docs? I bet they are going to sit on any decent license until its usefullness for others has expired.

Once they go bankrupt their holdings become a matter of public record, it should be as simple as calling the bankruptcy trustee and requesting it.

And no, in such a circumstance the goal is to obtain maximum value for the available properties, the trustee wouldn't sit on anything.

Quote
Hey this could reinvigorate the old 'let's buy the engine together' debate. :)

Please let's not. And besides, yes, the engine is a Bioware property, Interplay simply held a license to use it for Torment and IWD.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: lsperzel on April 23, 2004, 08:05:44 AM
I have spent much of my time at Interplay's site.  I started there with Baldur's Gate.  My id over there is/was mmmyers.  I will miss many of the people over there and hope they show up somewhere soon. Much of the info in the FAQs will be missed too.  I'm speaking for some of the other games besides SOA and TOB.  They helped me through Planescape, Icewind Dale, and Icewind Dale 2.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Audacity on April 27, 2004, 04:14:34 PM
Just out of curiosity, what kind of bankruptcy are they filing, or where can I get the info about what's going on? It might come in handy for some classes and I am tired about turning in papers about why Montgomery Ward went bankrupt. Something a little newer might prove to be interesting.
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: jcompton on April 27, 2004, 05:22:00 PM
They still haven't filed for bankruptcy, although having missed one payroll and with another on the way, it can't be far off:

http://biz.yahoo.com/e/040427/iplye.ob10-k.html
Title: Re: Interplay forums
Post by: Dark Raven on April 29, 2004, 06:06:36 PM
May the people who screwed up Interplays good name burn in hell. I remember the good old days when Fallout and Baldur's Gate first came out. "For Gamers by Gamers" was the cool slogan. Now it's a joke.