No words minced, Atari have come out attacking developer Turbine for launching a suit against them, saying this would ”also appear” to divert attention from obligation.
Atari have put forward a ”motion to dismiss the entirety” of Turbine’s lawsuit, and have filed a separate paper to ”recover monies owed” to them by Turbine. They’ll ”vigorously protect” D&D.
Turbine launched legal proceedings against Atari for $30 million, citing they manufactured ”trumped-up and false basis” to get them booted from the D&D project. This conspiracy was to help aid the launch of a competing MMO from Cryptic Studios, rumoured as Neverwinter Nights.
”Last week, with no warning, Turbine filed what can only be viewed as a frivolous lawsuit against Atari. This action can ultimately do a great disservice to D&D fans and to the MMO community at large,” Atari issued in a statement, reports Eurogamer.
”Turbine’s actions also appear intended to divert attention from the contractual obligations that Turbine owes to Atari. In response, today Atari served a motion to dismiss the entirety of Turbine’s lawsuit. Atari also filed a separate complaint to recover monies owed to Atari resulting from an independent third party audit of Turbine.”
”While Atari hopes for a quick and fair resolution, it remains fully committed to the D&D communities worldwide and will vigorously protect the franchise and its own integrity in this matter.”
An update is coming for Dungeons & Dragons Online this September 9th, raising level caps, adding new content and new classes. DDO Unlimited will be launching in the US also, which turns the MMO free-to-play. Expect more courtroom/press release drama soon.
