JoWooD accused of libel by furious Stargate SG-1 developer

Australian development studio Perception has issued an angry statement in response to publisher JoWooD's announcement regarding its Stargate SG-1 videogame, accusing the Austrian firm of "misleading and libellous" statements.

JoWooD claimed that it had pulled the project from Perception after losing confidence in the developer's ability to create a videogame of sufficient quality to satisfy the demands of the license, with the publisher saying that it is now considering its options with regard to the title.

According to Perception, however, this is a bare-faced lie - with the developer claiming that it, not JoWooD, is the official licensee of Stargate SG-1 owner MGM, and that it retains the rights regardless of JoWooD's cancellation of the project.

Development on the project will continue at Perception's studio in Sydney, the statement continues, and legal action is being taken against JoWooD CEO Albert Seidl and JoWooD supervisory board chairman Andreas Rudas over official comments made about the developer.

"We view it as unfortunate that JoWooD would elect to make such misleading a libellous comments to the media and the marketplace," said Perception CEO Ben Lenzo. "Over the last 9 months, JoWooD has openly acknowledged being in breach of contract in a number of areas including many legal and confidentiality breaches as well as several financial defaults for work performed by Perception and accepted by JoWooD."

The developer claims that it gave notice on August 5th that it was about to terminate its contract with JoWooD - and that the publisher's statement was a clear example of trying to "get in first" before such damaging news came to light.

"It's disappointing to hear of this so called termination via the press on the basis of a "get in first" tactic," Lenzo commented. "This further suggests that JoWooD do not understand the terms of the contract. We are not surprised by their behaviour or lack of appreciation for the goodwill Perception has afforded JoWooD on many occasions."

The developed has declined to discuss the issue any further pending legal action against its former publisher.