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Mac Rune: HoV Complete, Awaiting Publisher 9:49 AM | Andy Largent | Comment on this story
Two readers have sent in word which concludes Rune: Halls of Valhalla, the expansion for the Viking action game, is now finished and simply waiting for a publisher to pick it up. As you may recall, the original Rune was published by Gathering of Developers, a subsidiary of Take 2. Now MacSoft has taken over publishing any of Take 2's Mac games, it leaves Rune: HoV in limbo.
Frustrated Mac gamers also awaiting the 1.07 Rune patch have tried to take out their struggles on Westlake Interactive, though it appears the porting company is completely not at fault. Andrew Plucker wrote in to say that Tim Gerritson of Human Head (the developers of the original game) posted to fan forums to clarify the situation. Here's what he had to say:
Gathering of Developers has divested itself of all of its Mac holdings, as some of you are aware. Another publisher has picked up the Gathering Mac holdings. However, HOV Mac was not part of that deal, and Gathering is no longer doing Mac product going forward.
This leaves the product, unfortunately, in limbo. Westlake has completed the game, and it is ready for release. However, they are the not the rightsholders to Rune. As rightsholders Human Head Studios, Inc. has gone to Take Two to get final resolution on the Mac version (as Take Two has first rights to the game under contract). If Take Two doesn't take up the publishing, we already have a firm offer from a Mac specific publisher and another waiting in the wings to take up publication.
Westlake has taken a lot of flak on this release. However, they have held up their end of the bargain and delivered a good game, which Human Head has approved for release. Unfortunately, both Human Head's and Westlake's hands are tied until the publisher issue is resolved. We know you want this game out, and so do we. We are working as quickly as we can to resolve it, but there are contractual obligations here that have to be abided by. This game will come out, it's just a matter of when. As soon as we can make an announcement as to the final publisher and release date, we will put out the word right here.
We thank you very much for your continued patience and for your support of the community as a whole. Obviously this is not the way we wanted this product released, but we are working hard at using this situation to provide for much better distribution than was originally planned by Gathering.
Another reader from Clan MacRune sent a confirming report from Suellen Adams of Westlake which verifies Tim's statement above is correct. It's an unfortunate situation, but one in which Mac gamers must practice a little patience and trust the issue will be resolved. It sounds like if GoD doesn't want the game, there are other options waiting in the wings. Stay tuned to IMG, as we'll bring you more word as Mac HoV begins moving again.
Tim Gerritson Post on Mac Rune
Westlake Interactive Web Site
Gathering of Developers
Human Head Studios
Westlake Interactive
Rune
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