Deal on computer game on cards but it will not save jobs

SPECULATION is mounting that administrators for collapsed Dundee firm Realtime Worlds are on the cusp of striking a deal to sell the intellectual property rights to All Points Bulletin, the game launched just months before the company's demise.

It was previously believed that it was "game over" for APB, which cost $100 million (63.5m) and took five years to develop, when administrators at Begbies Traynor announced last month that talks to find a buyer had been unsuccessful.

As a result, the Dundee studio where it was created was closed and staff involved in the project put on redundancy notice.

However, talk of a potential rescue has reached fever pitch on gaming industry blogs. It is believed there are a number of possible buyers interested in continuing APB as a live game.

A spokesman for Begbies Traynor would not comment on the rumours but a source close to the situation confirmed that talks with potential suitors were taking place. Although a deal would be good news for gamers, it would not, however, save jobs as it would only involve the intellectual property rights.

APB was launched in a blaze of publicity in June but it received mixed reviews. Lacklustre sales of the product were blamed for the demise of RTW, which went under in August threatening hundreds of jobs.

One of the firm's other games, Project: My World, was subsequently sold to an undisclosed buyer, saving 23 positions but the loss of the firm dealt a hammer blow to Dundee and to Scotland's reputation as a leader in games development.

Last month, RTW founder Dave Jones said: "I truly wish we had the chance to continue to craft APB into the vision we had for it. It has been a long and difficult journey, but ultimately rewarding to have had the chance to try something bold and different."

RTW was set up in 2002 in a former jute mill by Jones, the creator of the computer game classics Crackdown, Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto.