Dodgy legality halts Gothic 4 expansion

Nearly bankrupt Austrian publisher JoWooD has had to "indefinitely" delay the release of AcaniA: Gothic 4 expansion Fall of Setarrif because of the add-on's "unclear" legal background.

A confusing statement pointed to "diverse legal positions" with German investor BVT, which once funded Obsidian-developed RPG sequel Neverwinter Nights 2.

JoWooD filed for bankruptcy in January. Fall of Setarrif was supposed to release this Friday, 25th March.

"The legal background of the official add-on to ArcaniA: Gothic 4 is unclear and diverse legal positions with the BVT fund that financed the main game are present," a confusing statement read.

JoWooD business development manager Stefan Berger commented: "It's uncertain whether the game can be released onto the market in its current form. Of course this must be investigated and settled before the release, unfortunately."

Eurogamer was unable to reach JoWooD for comment at the time of writing.

ArcaniA: Gothic 4 was JoWooD's first attempt at the Gothic series without founding developer Piranha Bytes; the honours instead falling to Spellbound Software. Sadly, the resulting RPG was dreary, scoring a leave-it-on-the-shelf 4/10 from Eurogamer.

Meanwhile, Piranha Bytes went off and created new IP Risen, which was decent but divisive on PC , and shonky on Xbox 360 . A piratical-themed sequel has been announced.

Video: ArcaniA: Gothic 4.