In an attempt to stave off a possible closure of the company, Titus Interactive has optioned the rights to distribute ailing Interplay Entertainment's games to Vivendi Universal Publishing. The deal gives Vivendi, owner of such developers as Sierra, Universal Interactive, and Blizzard, full distribution rights of all current and next-generation console and PC games by Interplay in North America. These products include such popular titles as the Baldur's Gate series and future games including the upcoming Neverwinter Nights and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.

According to a statement released by Titus, handing the reigns of distribution to Vivendi will allow Interplay Entertainment to reduce staff in marketing and distribution, a downsizing which could reduce fixed costs by $10 million annually. This new deal may go far in getting the failing Interplay back on its feet, a place where many PC RPG fans hope it will stay. Although having only recently acquired controlling interest in Interplay, Titus Interactive seems hard-pressed to achieve a swift solution to the many problems facing the US company. Whether or not the new deal with Vivendi will alleviate these problems is yet to be seen.