RollerCoaster Tycoon creator sues Atari

[Alpine]

Seeking a cool $4.8 million unpaid royaltiesCHRIS SAWYER, the brains behind the unbelievably popular RollerCoaster Tycoon series, is to sue Atari for $4.8 million still due as royalties from the games.



Current estimations indicate that Sawyer's games account for $180 million, with $30 million of that going to the man himself already. This suit has been initiated thanks to findings by forensic accountants brought in by Sawyer which he alleges reveal that he was still due the princely sum of $4.8 million. He is also hoping to be reimbursed for his legal fees and interest.

Since the 2003 accounting review that laid the groundwork for this case, Atari has published RollerCoaster Tycoon 3, which can only further convolute matters. The case will take place in London rather than New York, where much of Atari's witnesses and resources are. This isn't the only time Atari is making the news now, with many following the story that it has licensed the new Unreal engine for development of multiple next-gen titles. Unfortunately for Atari RollerCoaster Tycoon is a big franchise, with Sawyer previously commenting that it has sold almost 9 million copies sold already. This means that losing the series could cost Atari a lot more than the $4.8 million they stand to lose potentially to Sawyer alone.

The INQuirer