Will Wright's Hive Mind stymied by lawsuit
Hive Mind, the "personal gaming" developer founded by Sims creator Will Wright, has been locked down by an ongoing legal battle with its former CEO.
VentureBeat reports original chief executive and co-founder Jawad Ansari is suing the company over the loss of his 30% equity.
According to Ansari's suit, the CEO was given 120 days to raise $5 million to fund Hive Mind before it could be pruchased back by Wright's thinktank, the Stupid Fun Club, but his efforts were foiled by Wright. Ansari's suit alleges that Wright wouldn't condone funding from EA, and cancelled meetings with Warner Bros. executives, later asking for no more meetings to be scheduled.
After just two months, Ansari was replaced as Hive Mind's CEO, and the company was to be sold off - but Ansari claims Wright and fellow founder Raj Parekh abruptly closed the company to reclaim its IP, resulting in the loss of Ansari's equity.
Ansari apparently believes Wright and his peers are attempting to sell Hive Mind's ideas and properties through other companies, including the Stupid Fun Club - which would stiff Ansari out of any profits.
Wright has counter-sued, claiming Ansari did not fulfil his duties as CEO. Both side's lawyers have accused the other of fibbing.
Hive Mind has been completely frozen as a result of the litigation, and Wright may be unable to capitalise on the ideas behind the company's self-titled game proposal.