Last May, Paradigm Entertainment filed a lawsuit against Video System claiming that the company had failed to meet its publishing obligations and therefore executed a breach of contract. In the petition, which IGN64 has recovered from the Dallas County courts, Paradigm states, "Video System was required to provide both (a) audio materials and (b) a complete and comprehensive game design of acceptable and sufficient quality for the Harrier 2001 game to be a success. Video System has failed to meet its obligations in this regard."
Paradigm also alleges that Video System failed to make full payment for the development costs of Harrier 2001 despite the fact that the game was moving along smoothly. Combined with royalties and legal costs, the company is seeking damages in upwards of $900,000 from Video System.
Most discouraging, though, is the fact that the game's "indefinite hold" status isn't likely to change any time soon as the title's development team has been disbanded and all work on the product has been discontinued. According to Paradigm's suit, Video System instructed the company to cease development on Harrier 2001 early this year. "As instructed by Video System, and in order to mitigate its development cost damages as a result of Video System's breach, Paradigm has ceased its development efforts with respect to the N64 Harrier 2001 game as of April 16, 1999."
Paradigm goes on to say that "there is a relatively narrow window of marketing opportunity for the parties regarding the Harrier 2001 game in light of technical advances in videogame platforms," and that, because of Video System's failure to meet its required obligations, that window has all but closed.
Paradigm Entertainment and Video System are still in negotiations over the product and the lawsuit is still pending. But barring a miracle, Harrier 2001's future does not look bright.
We contacted both companies about the suit, but they had no comment at this time.