Regional rights blocking US and EU Hellgate revival

HanbitSoft, the current owner of the Hellgate: London IP, has told consumers that regional publishing rights held by Namco Bandai stops it from opening up the MMO to the European or US markets.

The company currently owns and operates Hellgate: London in Korea, whereas Namco Bandai shut down its service for the MMO last year, following the closure of Flagship Studios.

"There have been many inquiries from US and European Hellgate players surrounding the availability of the game in those respective territories," commented Kee Young Kim, CEO of HanbitSoft.

"HanbitSoft does own the intellectual property of Hellgate: London and is interested in providing the game in the US and Europe, but is unable to do so at this time because Namco Bandai has the publishing rights for those regions.

"We cannot open up the server in Korea to allow access by US and European players as this will constitute infringing upon Namco Bandai's publishing rights in the US and Europe."