The biggest UK game firm Realtime Worlds (RTW) is to be saved by an anonymous American company. It is reported that part of the company has been bought by a US company for an undisclosed sum.
Realtime Worlds was found by the creator of Lemmings and Grand Theft Auto. The Dundee-based company was Bafta-winning, which was very popular among teenagers. It was seen as one of the biggest firms in the gaming industry until its collapse, now with an approximate £3 million debt to cope with.
A social 3D gaming project of the company, MyWorld has been bought by a US firm. The company was put into hands of administrators Begbies Traynor last month.
“One hundred per cent confidentiality has been imposed by the company,
“MyWorld has been sold and unfortunately we cannot disclose any further details of the sale,” a spokesman from Begbies Traynor said.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern welcomed the news but he added: “I urge the company and any potential buyers of the other sections of Realtime Worlds to maintain a presence in the city.
“Dundee has been a very successful and competitive home to many games companies, and those who work in the industry now call it home,
“The city benefits immeasurably by the presence of the computer games industry, and I hope companies that buy Realtime Worlds recognise this and stay in Dundee.” he said.
McGovern also told the press his concerns: “I fear that the coalition’s decision to scrap the computer games industry tax break has made the case for Dundee much more difficult than it need be.”
