» West End Games sold; Torg 2 gets new life
Sunday, November 16, 2003
West End Games sold; Torg 2 gets new life
As we’ve heard whispered on various industry lists, the long-languishing company that is West End Games has changed hands again. This time, the new owner of WEG intellectual properties and such is “Eric J. Gibson and the still forming Purgatory Publishing Inc.” Among the few projects already mentioned for the renewed WEG is Torg 2.0, which will hopefully finally see print. Reportedly, its first draft has been sitting at WEG as a 2″ thick unedited manuscript for years. Frankly, as a Torg GM, it’d be nice to get some better closure than the hastily thrown-together War’s End adventure. Wrapping up five years of storyline in one softcover adventure just didn’t work.
Press release:
Honesdale, PA – November 14, 2003
Humanoids is pleased to announce that the long rumored sale of West End Games imprint is complete. The sale means that new life can be breathed into a company that has been, for so long, existing at a minimal level. The transaction transfers West End Games trademarks and intellectual properties from Humanoids Inc. to Eric J. Gibson and the still forming Purgatory Publishing Inc.
West End Games, formed in 1974 and best known for publishing highly cinematic role playing games like Star Wars D6, Paranoia, DC Universe, and Torg, has produced over 350 roleplaying game and related products to date.
With the purchase of West End Games, Purgatory Publishing adds game production to its business strategy, a strategy that already includes the publication of fiction novels.
“No time will be wasted in putting new West End Games products on the shelf,” says Mr. Gibson. “Plans include the printing of the extremely popular D6 System, the continued development of Torg 2.0, and the acquisition on new licenses. The future looks bright.”
For more information about West End Games and its lines, visit www.westendgames.com. Questions concerning this transaction may be directed to Mr. Gibson at hellsreach@lycos.com.
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Mark A. Siefert Says: November 17th, 2003 at 11:46 pm
Cool! I wish them the best of luck.
SteelCaress Says: November 20th, 2003 at 9:22 am
I wonder if this means the death of the DCU line. From what I understand, licensed properties do not transfer with the sale of companies.
Dai Oni Says: November 21st, 2003 at 2:29 am
That depends on the licensing agreement. Most licenses are part of the company’s assets at the time of acquisition, until the licenses expires. For example, Wizards of the Coast acquired Last Unicorn Games, including the two licenses for STAR TREK and DUNE. Suddenly, Decipher managed to negotiate with Paramount to take over the STAR TREK RPG publishing license, effective January 1, 2001, the day after the LUG’s license expired on December 31, 2000.
Nikki Vrtis Says: December 9th, 2003 at 7:20 am
No, no roleplaying game licenses transfered to the new company. The DC Universe line was cancelled over two years ago.