Kingpin 2 Confirmed But Doubtful News

Having made suggestions in a recent Investor Conference Call, Interplay CEO Herve Caen today confirmed plans to release Kingpin 2 for the Xbox and PC.

Hoping to cash in on the popularity of mature titles, Caen claims that the original Kingpin was the title that kick-started the craze; for those that never got to play the Xatrix developed title, Kingpin featured a dark setting, fused with violence, gore and profanity.

Xatrix went on to become Grey Matter Studios and created Return to Castle Wolfenstein for id and Activision. Theyâ??re currently developing the Call of Duty expansion pack United Offensive, suggesting itâ??s unlikely that theyâ??ll return for the sequel.

However whilst the news may please the Kingpin fans out there longing for a sequel, the truth remains that Interplay are still very much in trouble. Having recently announced a return to profitability, Interplay executives had to file an 8-K form outlining its finances.

Within the document, itâ??s claimed that the publisher is three-months in arrears on the rent obligations for its corporate lease in Irvine, California. The file claims that Interplay were served with a â??Three-Day Noticeâ? to pay the full amount â?“ rumoured to be close to $450,000 â?“ or surrender possession of the property, throwing further doubt over the future of the troubled publisher.

The file ended with the speculation that unless Interplay substantially reduces its working capital or raises additional funding, then Interplay will be forced to either liquidate its assets, sell the company or seek protection from its creditors. Sadly these look unlikely options given the poor performances in the past and the fact that the company still has a working capital deficit of $14.8 million and a cash balance of approximately $1.2 million.

Weâ??ll have more information soon.