In a thrilling tale of patience, persistence, and a love for gaming history, Brian Fargo, the co-founder of Interplay and head of inXile Entertainment, has successfully recovered a treasure trove of memorabilia from his days at Interplay. After two decades of negotiations, Fargo recently shared on social media the memorabilia he had managed to reclaim, describing the experience as "a very exciting version of Storage Wars."
The Long Road to Reacquisition
Fargo's journey to reclaim these pieces of gaming history began when he left Interplay in 2002. At the time, he was unable to take many of the company's artifacts with him, as they were considered company property. Despite his emotional attachment to these items, Fargo had to wait for the right moment to begin his quest to get them back. It wasn’t until ten years ago that he started reaching out to Interplay’s CEO, Hervé Caen, to discuss the possibility of acquiring the memorabilia.
The process was anything but quick. Fargo described a decade-long process of "asking, cajoling, and humoring" before finally agreeing on a price with Caen. Even after reaching an agreement, it took another three months to finalize the deal. The collection, once secured, felt like a significant victory for Fargo, who said he was "very happy when I finally got them, as you might expect."
A Haul of Gaming History
The recovered items include a variety of sales awards for Interplay's most iconic games, including "Fallout," "Baldur’s Gate," "Battle Chess," and "Castles." These awards, presented by the Software Publishers Association (now the Software and Information Industry Association), represent the success of Interplay's games during the 90s and early 2000s. Fargo shared images of the plaques and awards on social media, stirring nostalgia among fans and industry veterans alike.
Among the more unique items in the collection is a six-foot-tall poster of Sarevok, the villain from "Baldur's Gate 1." This piece, in particular, caught the eye of many fans, serving as a reminder of the dark, spiky-armored antagonist who played a central role in the game's story.
A Sentimental Journey
For Fargo, this memorabilia is more than just a collection of awards; it’s a reminder of the company’s history and the critical moments that shaped Interplay’s legacy. He fondly recalls how "Battle Chess" was the first game Interplay published, taking on all the financial risk themselves. The success of these early games was crucial for the survival of the company, especially during times when the gaming industry was fraught with financial instability.
Fargo’s favorite piece from the collection is the SPA sales award for the original "Fallout," a game that has since become a beloved franchise. However, he also holds a special place in his heart for awards from lesser-known games like "Castles" and "Battle Chess," which were instrumental in keeping Interplay afloat during challenging times.
The Search Continues
Despite this significant haul, Fargo's quest is not over. He is still searching for other lost treasures from Interplay's past, including the clay sculpts used for "Fallout's" Talking Head NPCs. These models, created by Scott Rodenhizer, were used to digitize the characters, contributing to the distinctive visual style of the game. Additionally, Fargo expressed a desire to acquire design and vision documents from Interplay’s classic games, which would offer a deeper insight into the creative processes behind these iconic titles.
Brian Fargo's story is a testament to the enduring passion and commitment of those who helped shape the gaming industry. His successful reacquisition of Interplay memorabilia is not just a personal victory but a celebration of gaming history that fans and industry professionals alike can appreciate.
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