Metro3D alive and well in Europe

Former US videogames publisher Metro3D has been re-established in Europe following the closure of its North American operations and bankruptcy filing in 2004.

According to US website Gamasutra.com, the EU division was sold off in June 2005 by company shareholders and acquired by Stewart Green. Green has now re-established the publisher as Metro3D Europe (M3DE), which is a separate UK-registered company that remains unaffected by the chapter 11 status of its former US parent.

M3DE is currently publishing Pc and PS2 software, including London Taxi: Rush Hour, which is scheduled for a release on February 3rd. Green is also continuing to run his own company, Green Solutions Limited, which encompasses three separate gaming divisions: Artworld Studios, Data Design Solutions, and All-Star Gaming.

"We are now concentrating on releasing affordable games, which is where we see the market moving towards, and this Christmas has proven that shift in the market," Green commented.

"The titles are currently only on sale in Europe, we are looking for a U.S. distribution partner or to set up a U.S. publishing division. We intend to produce PSP titles this year and probably next-gen titles next year if the market grows to significant numbers quick enough," he added.

Metro3D was initially established in 1998, and entered bankruptcy proceedings in 2004 after defaulting on the first loan payment of USD 500,000 from Cathay Bank, sparking further defaults on all other loans. The company held a range of intellectual properties, including y, including Dinosaur Hunting for the Xbox, Smash Cars for the PS2 and Gem Smasher for the GBA. The current status of this intellectual property is unknown.