Publisher Brighter Minds Files For Chapter 11

U.S.-headquartered PC game publisher Brighter Minds Media filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this week. Confirmation of the filing was posted on bankruptcy database site TrollerBk, and was first reported by website GameDaily. The Ohio-based company published the PC version of 2D Boy's acclaimed debut title World of Goo, and is responsible for retail sales of the game in North America. Brighter Minds' retail portfolio is largely centered on casual and family-oriented offerings, particular child-centric educational software. Many of the firm's newer casual game signings, which are produced by external companies, are also available for download online elsewhere, including Top Chef the Game and Mystery Case Files: Return to Ravenhearst. World of Goo and other casual titles are also distributed through the publisher's recently-launched Beanstalk Games site, which offers both physical and digital copies. Under the terms of Chapter 11, the company is able to reorganize and retain control of its assets. The company has not issued any formal statement in relation to the bankruptcy filing. [UPDATE: Brighter Minds Media, LLC representative Mia McPherson has responded to Gamasutra, claiming that the bankruptcy proceedings should allow the company to continue its business uninterrupted: "Brighter Minds Media has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as of late last week. The state of the economy has affected us much like it has affected many other businesses. "However, we're extremely optimistic that this move will provide a great opportunity for Brighter Minds, as we've been fortunate enough to have the complete support of our lender to reorganize our company and continue to do business during this reorganization. Our partners have also shown us great support, including both our retail and publishing partners, and we do not foresee this move having any effect on our business whatsoever. If anything, this will allow our business to grow stronger. "We're very proud to be the publisher of many educational and award-winning products – including World of Goo, of course – and we are moving forward with several new projects that we're very excited to share with the gaming community in the upcoming months."]