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[Nirolak]

Seems like the only logical reason. Then the question becomes why some franchises weren't available ?

Even if they were available to bid on, the minimum bid might be more than people wanted to pay, so they all decided to negotiate on the outside later.

 

[ElRenoRaven]

So I've been busy at work and haven't been able to keep up. Who the hell is this Koch Media? I've never heard of them? Is this a good thing? Bad thing? What?

 

[davepoobond]

some holding company will probably emerge from chapter 11 and hock any leftovers later

yeah, that seemed like what it would be like to me. the remaining things are going to be like 1000 bucks each.

So I've been busy at work and haven't been able to keep up. Who the hell is this Koch Media? I've never heard of them? Is this a good thing? Bad thing? What?

Publisher is Deep Silver. they did a couple of big games recently. Volition will be their #1 dev studio now, and Saints Row will be their #1 game.

 

[JaseC]

I think the objections (there were a bunch) were supposed to be ruled on during the sales hearing which is what just adjourned for the day (after the auction)

Ah, you may be right. Seeing as the objection was filed before the auction began, though, I'd assume it would have been sorted beforehand.

 

[Femmeworth]

Glad to see Relic ended up somewhere relatively safe.

 

[scitek]

I wouldn't worry unless Ubi announces a delay; under THQ, the game was scheduled for a release in early March which means it was no more than a couple of weeks away from going gold.

I expect the PC version to be delayed inexplicably now.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

Gotta say I'm surprised THQ Montreal and Patrice Desilet was so cheap =/

I'm sure this was brought up, but I'm just coming in. Do you think Patrice feels weird? How strange is it that he now works for Ubisoft again.

Bring him back to AC, bring him back!

I don't know why, but I love seeing Deep Silver, essentially, dropping in for Volition and Metro. I have a soft spot for Deep Silver.

 

[Glass Rebel]

Really reaching here but could it possibly be that it'd be cheaper to get Vigil through chapter 11? We probably would have heard something about it by now, right?

 

[sflufan]

Really reaching here but could it possibly be that it'd be cheaper to get Vigil through chapter 11? We probably would have heard something about it by now, right?

What the hell do you mean? This entire thing is because THQ is in Chapter 11.

 

[DeuceGamer]

There is a huge margin between the first place and second place bids in some cases. I wonder how many of those first place companies are wondering if why they bid so much?

 

[Nokterian]

I expect the PC version to be delayed inexplicably now.

And Uplay adding to the mix.

 

[Secretarial Dog]

Deep Silver can afford Volition? Does Koch have other money outlets or something?

Koch Media is the largest independent publisher of computer games in Europe
http://www.d-pen.de/2/_Koch_Media_8927,de

 

[ElRenoRaven]

yeah, that seemed like what it would be like to me. the remaining things are going to be like 1000 bucks each.




Publisher is Deep Silver. they did a couple of big games recently. Volition will be their #1 dev studio now, and Saints Row will be their #1 game.

Oh ok. Now I know who they are. Thanks you.

 

[Glass Rebel]

What the hell do you mean? This entire thing is because THQ is in Chapter 11.

From what I understand the remaining assets will be sold outside of this auction. But as I said, it's not very likely.

 

[davepoobond]

There is a huge margin between the first place and second place bids in some cases. I wonder how many of those first place companies are wondering if why they bid so much?

i guess it depends on what kind of auction it was.

From what I understand the remaining assets will be sold outside of this auction. But as I said, it's not very likely.

i cant imagine how some of the lesser-popular franchises wont be bought up by someone. I mean, Red Faction... come on.

 

[DeuceGamer]

What the hell do you mean? This entire thing is because THQ is in Chapter 11.

I noticed in the OP the email mentions they will still be trying to find a buyer.

Some assets, including our publishing businesses and Vigil, along with some other
intellectual properties are not included in the sale agreements. They will remain part of
the Chapter 11 case. We will make every effort to find appropriate buyers, if possible.

Edit:

i guess it depends on what kind of auction it was.

Right, but I'd still expect the winners to look at that wide margin and think "Damn, we could have gotten it for that much?"...

 

[JaseC]

And Uplay adding to the mix.

Adding Uplay would also delay the console versions, which is something I deem unlikely given the game is practically complete.

 

[Glass Rebel]

JaseC is fighting both tears and reality here.

 

[PaulLFC]

Koch Media must be pretty ecstatic with this. Having Saints Row can only be good for them (provided they fund and market it properly), and Metro is well-regarded as well.

 

[JehutyRunner]

Take Two said to be interested in WWE licence.

The era of THQ wrestling games is over. Sources have indicated to IGN that the WWE game franchise will be sold to Take Two, parent company of 2K. Terms of the sale are unknown at this time, as details have not been finalized. These negotiations appear to have taken place outside THQ's formal auction process.

This news comes as THQ assets have been divided among several different publishers, pending court approval.

Link.

 

[Infinite Justice]

GW wouldn't be dealing with Relic. They would be dealing with Sega. It's a good match though, since Sega already has the license for Warhammer (Creative Assembly is working on something with that), so bringing Warhammer 40k into the fold via Relic would be great brand synergy for all parties involved.

Yea i know since Sega is in charge of them but i was saying that GW might be more comfortable with Sega getting that IP since Sega now has the company that GW trusts with that IP.

Plus more points for Sega already having the normal Warhammer one.

 

[Kifimbo]

I'm sure this was brought up, but I'm just coming in. Do you think Patrice feels weird? How strange is it that he now works for Ubisoft again.

Let's be honest, Ubisoft paid a big price for an unproven studio with no game. In the same city where they have a huge studio (2000+ people). If I was Desilets, I would be flattered, because my old boss paid a few millions to bring me back.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

Take Two said to be interested in WWE licence.

http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/01/23/wwe-video-game-license-to-be-acquired-by-take-two

Give it to R* - just kidding. Though I'd play a R* WWE game. Imagine the tech behind it; would be great to see Euphoria in a wrestling game.

Let's be honest, Ubisoft paid a big price for an unproven studio with no game. In the same city where they have a huge studio (2000+ people). If I was Desilets, I would be flattered, because my old boss paid a few millions to bring me back.

Very true; the circumstances are strange. Leaves Ubisoft, and no inadvertently returns.

 

[JaseC]

JaseC is fighting both tears and reality here.

Haha, I don't have anything against Uplay... well, other than the fact it takes forever to download a client/game update. Even if Steamworks is removed from South Park and keys in general not Steam-redeemable, there's always Tony's magic wand!

 

[Almighty]

Adding Uplay would also delay the console versions, which is something I deem unlikely given the game is practically complete.

How? I mean I don't really think they will add Uplay at this late stage, but I don't see why adding Uplay to the PC version would delay the consoles versions. It's not like Ubi is known for releasing their PC version the same day with the consoles.

 

[JaseC]

How? I mean I don't really think they will add Uplay at this late stage, but I don't see why adding Uplay to the PC version would delay the consoles versions. It's not like Ubi is known for releasing their PC version day and date with the consoles.

Ubi's console games use Uplay, too. If Ubi were to make a decision to switch from Steamworks to Uplay it would be implemented across all platforms.

 

[PaulLFC]

How? I mean I don't really think they will add Uplay at this late stage, but I don't see why adding Uplay to the PC version would delay the consoles versions. It's not like Ubi is known for releasing their PC version day and date with the consoles.

Uplay is not just a PC service.

 

[Glass Rebel]

Haha, I don't have anything against Uplay... well, other than the fact it takes forever to download a client/game update. Even if Steamworks is removed from South Park and keys in general not Steam-redeemable, there's always Tony's magic wand!

I absolutely do though

 

[Infinite Justice]

Was Vigil even offered at all given the trend of studios with IPs in current development or just IPs being auctioned off

or did no one really care?

 

[thepotatoman]

So Yukes wasn't sold to anyone and thus are dead now, but what does that mean for the online servers and development of the DLC for people that bought season passes?

 

[Almighty]

Ubi's console games use Uplay, too.

Uplay is not just a PC service.

Oh okay that explains it. Guess that's good makes it even less likely.

 

[Nirolak]

Was Vigil even offered at all?

Yeah, but no one bid.

 

[Violet_0]

- No one wanted to buy Vigil because they probably don't have anything good in development right now. The Warhammer 40k MMO seems to be dead, the Darksider's creator left, and whatever new stuff they are working on now might not be attractive.

wait, was Vigil responsible for developing the WH40K MMO?

I really just want to play a RPG in the 40K universe one day :-/

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Kotch Media nabbing Volition could be good for PC gamers.

I thought Koch was something run by the Koch brothers. I didn't know it was Deep Silver.

That changes my opinion on the deal!

 

[GamerSoul]

Publisher is Deep Silver. they did a couple of big games recently. Volition will be their #1 dev studio now, and Saints Row will be their #1 game.

Aww yeah.

 

[JaseC]

I absolutely do though

Now who's fighting tears?

 

[duckroll]

So Yukes wasn't sold to anyone and thus are dead now, but what does that mean for the online servers and development of the DLC for people that bought season passes?

I don't think THQ owns Yukes. They're a Japanese developer. Pretty sure they're still alive.

 

[LumpOfCole]

I could've bid for Vigil for $1 and would've gotten it?

 

[indigo-cyclops]

I thought Koch was something run by the Koch brothers. I didn't know it was Deep Silver.

That changes my opinion on the deal!

Deep Silver may have over-paid, but they needed the push IMO. I'd hate to see them die, considering they constantly publish great adventure games. They're one of the few big publishers still keeping the point-and-click genre alive.

 

[sangreal]

Games Workshop made it pretty clear in their earlier objection to the potential sale of their license that they only trust Relic. I thought it was a strange claim, but who knows

 

[Sinatar]

I could've bid for Vigil for $1 and would've gotten it?

Starting bids for everyting seemed to be 500k.

 

[Infinite Justice]

Yeah, but no one bid.

thats so sad

 

[Black Republican]

Aww yeah.

i never played the Saints Row games, but what more can they do with it? Gameplay wise i mean. I hear 2 was the best of the trilogy?

 

[Gentleman Jack]

So which of THQ's legacy IPs are still sold on digital distribution marketplaces so we can make a list ahead of time and nobody gets caught unaware and forever unable to download/play these games, as was the case with Irem's stuff on the Virtual Console?

 

[Kusagari]

Deep Silver smelled real success with Dead Island. It makes sense that they would use this to try to establish an even bigger presence.

Snatching up Volition and getting a 3 million+ unit selling franchise certainly does that.

 

[Glass Rebel]

Now who's fighting tears?

I'm both happy (Relic at SEGA) and sad (South Park at Ubi, Vigil dead) at the same time, nobody will be able to tell why I'm crying.

 

[SkullplateMurray]

Any word on bids from Double Fine? It was rumoured they were trying to buy back Costume Quest and Stacking IPs.

 

[duckroll]

I could've bid for Vigil for $1 and would've gotten it?

Sure let's say they allowed that to happen. Wouldn't the outcome be the same? Vigil will be shuttered and never make another game again, and all their employees would be laid off. Unless you can afford to keep the studio going?

 

[Yeef]

Evolve
(title in development at Turtle Rock Studios)
Winning bidder: Take-Two Interactive, $10.894 million.
Runner-up: Turtle Rock Studios, $250,000.

This is a depressing little story.

 

[JehutyRunner]

CHAMPAIGN — Koch Media was the winning bidder for Volition Inc., the Champaign-based video game studio, according to court documents filed Wednesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.

The European company, which owns the Deep Silver video studio in Larkspur, Calif., bid $22,312,925 for the assets of Volition, best known for creating the "Saints Row" line of video games.

Koch Media easily outbid Ubisoft, which entered a $5.4 million bid for Volition.

Volition's general manager, Dan Cermak, who was in Delaware for the auction, said it appears the studio will remain in Champaign and the future looks "very positive" for Volition under Koch Media.

"I haven't had a chance to sit down with (Koch officials) except for a few moments, and they were very positive," Cermak said in an email shortly after the bid results were released.

"They love Saints Row and are very happy to own its creator," he said, adding that "Volition is not moving."

Link.