Retro Dreams Dashed: 3DO Revival Plans Officially Canned Due to Legal Hurdles
Hold onto your old game cartridges, gamers, because we’ve got some disappointing news from the retro front. Remember when we heard whispers about the cult-classic 3DO console from the ’90s making a comeback? Well, it seems those dreams have officially been shattered. Publisher Empire Interactive, who had plans to revive the system as a mini console and remaster its games, has now announced the project is a no-go.
The reason? A tangled web of ownership rights. Empire Interactive recently shared via a LinkedIn post that after careful consideration, they are abandoning both the console production and the idea of remastering retro games. They explained that this decision comes after the emergence of multiple parties claiming ownership over both the games and the console manufacturing process itself.
It turns out the situation is far more complicated than initially thought. Empire Interactive had acquired the rights to “The 3DO Company” brand, which sounds promising on the surface. However, as the company’s founder, Işık Şekercigil, clarified, owning “The 3DO Company” brand is legally distinct from owning the “3DO console brand.” The trademark they secured is limited to game development and publishing – it doesn’t cover console manufacturing or any hardware technology development.
This isn’t entirely surprising given the 3DO’s unique history. The original hardware wasn’t solely manufactured by one entity; third-party companies like Panasonic and LG were involved in its production back in the day. This multi-party involvement has created a complex legal puzzle, with various entities now asserting their claims over different aspects of the 3DO intellectual property.
Facing a niche market and the certainty of prolonged, costly legal disputes, Empire Interactive has opted to steer clear of these battles. Instead, they plan to shift their focus towards developing their own next-generation games. This means any hopes for official 3DO branded projects are now effectively shelved.
While this news might be a bummer for those hoping for a modern resurrection of the 3DO, it highlights the intricate challenges of bringing back classic hardware. For now, if you’re eager to experience this unique piece of gaming history, your best bet is to either track down an original 3DO console or explore the many excellent retro handhelds available that can emulate classic titles.