Microsoft: Lode Runner in a "safe place"

by Richard Mitchell { Sep 15th 2006 at 10:30AM }

After we ran this week's "That should be on XBLA" we got a comment from Ross Erickson, portfolio manager for Xbox Live Arcade. To wit:

"Rest assured, Lode Runner is now in a VERY SAFE place.... :-)"

We decided to hit up Ross' inbox and get a little clarification. Long story short is this: Doug Smith, creator of Lode Runner, has indeed recovered and sold the rights to another company -- a VERY SAFE company (please, not EA). This is significant because many older IPs can get lost in the fray. The fact that Lode Runner has a definite owner bodes well for its future on XBLA (and in general). We know that Mr. Erickson has a soft spot for the game so, here's hoping Microsoft will throw us a bone. A hole digging, robot evading bone.

Tags: lode runner, LodeRunner, ross erickson, RossErickson, that should be on xbla, ThatShouldBeOnXbla, xbla

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

J.Goodwin @ Sep 15th 2006 10:47AM

Niiiiiice.

Bryan @ Sep 15th 2006 11:15AM

Accoeding to the united states patent and trademark office lode runner belongs to Broderbund Software Inc, and was last renewed in sept of 2005.

Hexx @ Sep 15th 2006 11:44AM

Did Microsoft buy the rights?

http://ilovexbla.blogspot.com/2006/09/did-microsoft-buy-lode-runner-to-put-on.html

Xfan @ Sep 15th 2006 1:36PM

I knew Doug Smith was attmepting to recover the rights.

Now that it's in a 'safe place' we can only conclude that either Microsoft owns the rights (which in itself might be a little odd-- but then again who knows maybe Microsoft is acquiring the rights to older properties), or a company which does business with Microsoft owns the rights, and is favorable to the idea of XBLA.

At any rate, that this is EVEN mentioned would seem to imply SOMETHING is happening.

Xfan @ Sep 15th 2006 1:51PM

I did a little research and discovered that Ubisoft ended up with the rights to a bunch of Broderbund's game properties. Not sure if they have current rights though

Hey, since we're talking about classic Broderbund games, how about reviving The Ancient
Art of War?