SNK and Tommo clash over sale of Neo Geo X handheld

Tommo refuses to bow to SNK’s wishes, and fires back with claims of its own

US game publisher and manufacturer Tommo has begun a war of attrition with SNK Playmore by refusing to withdraw its Neo Geo X handhelds from sale.

SNK, the hardware firm and owner of the Neo Geo brand, released a licence agreement termination notice last week, ordering an immediate cease and desist of manufacturing, distribution, promotion and selling of the Neo Geo X Gold Limited Edition, Mega Pack Volume 1, Classics Volumes 1-5 and the SNK Neo Geo X Arcade Stick.

However, Tommo has chosen to ignore these demands, and today fired back with a press release of its own calling for SNK to retract its statement and any attempts to terminate their agreement.

Tommo has denied that it is in any breach of contract with SNK Playmore’s USA division. Furthermore, it claims that it has the right to sell the devices until 2016, and suggests that it will continue to support and market its Neo Geo products and games regardless of SNK’s protests.

The company said it has performed all of its obligations under its licence agreement with SNK and is “disappointed by SNK’s sudden and unjustified termination of the agreement”.

“Tommo is still taking care of all customer service and product warranties in North America as are our master distribution partners, Success in Asia and Blaze in Europe,” said Jonathan Wan, CEO of Tommo. “We’re continuing to sell Neo Geo X products. The licence agreement which allows Tommo to sell and market these products remains in effect.”

The Neo Geo X is a revival of SNK’s popular handheld console that has hosted games such as Metal Slug, Fatal Fury and King of Fighters.

Although no sales figures have been released, Tommo and its distribution partners appear intent on riding the coattails of nostalgia for Neo Geo devices and their games for as long as they can.

What remains less clear is why SNK has chosen to terminate the device and its supporting products at this time, given its supposed popularity.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/s...ndheld/0184191