Interplay Planning Earthworm Jim, MDK, Descent Revivals

Once-beleaguered, now cash-flush publisher Interplay has announced its intention to resurrect several of its dormant properties, including Earthworm Jim, Descent, MDK, and Dungeons & Dragons spin-off Dark Alliance. The statement came as part of the company's 2007 earnings report, alongside further confirmation that Interplay is seeking funding for its planned Fallout MMO. Interplay recently reopened in-house development, for which it hired veteran Fallout designer and Troika co-founder Jason Anderson. There was no indication given as to whether any of the cited franchises would be developed in-house, or whether any would be outsourced to other development studios. Interplay continues seeking developers for its Beverly Hills, California team. A PSP remake of Earthworm Jim was in development by series creator Shiny Entertainment, but was last year put on indefinite hold by publisher Atari. As in recent Interplay financial reports, profits were strong, still buoyed by the $5.75 million sale of the Fallout license to Fallout 3 developer Bethesda Softworks. Almost wholly because of this, the company saw a 520 percent year-over-year increase in revenue to $6 million, with profits increasing 90 percent year-over-year to $5.86 million. Also mentioned in the press release, though not in the specific context of reuse, was the fact that Interplay still owns a number of former critical and commercial hit franchises, including Battlechess, Clayfighter, Giants, Messiah, Run Like Hell, and Sacrifice. Interplay also indicated plans for a new website, calling its launch "imminent." Said CEO Herve Caen, "2007 set the foundation for our growth strategy. Going forward, we have the vision, unique intellectual property, and low debt and operational costs to help us pursue financing for our various projects."