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RSS FeedsInterplay Resurrects Black Isle Studios, Former Developer of Fallout
Category: GamingPosted: August 22, 2012 04:31PM
Author: bp9801
One of the most-loved RPG studios of all time has returned, as Interplay has resurrected Black Isle Studios. Black Isle was shut down in 2003 originally, which seemed like the end for the creator of Fallout, Baldur's Gate, and Planescape: Torment, among others. Earlier today, however, a new website has appeared that is registered to Interplay and Herve Caen, current Interplay CEO and former founder/owner of Titus Software. The new Black Isle website says, "Our goal has always been to make the world's best RPGs. Black Isle Studios is back."
A link to the Facebook and Twitter pages for the new Black Isle are on the website, as is a newsletter sign-up, but nothing else is present. Hopefully Interplay does not wait around too long to announce just what the new Black Isle will be working on, but if you are surprised at the revival you are not alone. Interplay's original founder, Brian Fargo, tweeted, "I just read that Interplay is bringing back Black Isle. Hmmm... Not enough info for me to comment."
Chris Avellone, former lead designer at Black Isle, said the news does not concern Obsidian Entertainment and was unware anything but the Black Isle name was left to Interplay. Obsidian was started by much of the former Black Isle crew, including Avellone and Black Isle founder Feargus Urquhart. Brian Fargo had left Interplay before the closure of Black Isle and founded inXile Entertainment, which is currently working on Wasteland 2.
Interplay has existed over the years by re-releasing its back catalog via digital downloads on consoles and mobiles. Much of its former property is in the hands of other companies, specifically the Fallout franchise and Dungeons & Dragons. It does not seem likely that Interplay will regain the D&D license, so your guess is as good as mine regarding what the new Black Isle will work on. I cannot imagine any of the former staff will return, so this Black Isle is simply back in name only.
