GameSpy denies shutting off multiplayer servers with no warning

Gamespy Technologies, is denying allegations that it failed to warn publishers contracted with the service before shutting down numerous multiplayer game servers.

This follows fan complaints made to the official Gamespy Facebook page earlier in the week that pointed out multiplayer servers were down for a number of titles that used the gaming portal. These included Sniper Elite, SWAT 4, the first two Neverwinter Nights games, Star Wars: Battlefront and Flight Simulator X among others. Sniper Elite developer Rebellion later took to its own forums, stating servers for their game were shut down by Glu Mobile, the company that recently acquired Gamespy, without the consent of the studio.

The Gamespy management team has since issued a response and maintains allegations that servers were shut down without warning are "simply inaccurate," adding that these publishing partners in question allowed their contracts with Gamespy Technologies — a service provider for publishers — to lapse by failing to pay for services.

"A number of our publisher partners elected to allow their contracts for GameSpy Technologies' services to lapse by not continuing to pay for these services," reads the statement. "In some cases this lapsing ranges back as much as four years. GameSpy Technologies has continued to provide months, and in some cases years, of service support for free. However we cannot be expected to provide a service free of charge to publishers who choose not to renew their service agreements and in some cases remain delinquent in delivering payment for past services.

"In each case reported in the press where there was a discontinuation of GameSpy Technologies' services, the applicable publisher was well aware that they had not made the required payments under their agreements with GameSpy Technologies."

Gamespy compares this with "fans attributing fault to the hosting company of a popular website for ceasing hosting services, when the website owner refuses to pay its hosting bill."

In addition, the sevice provider denies raising pricing rates unexpectedly, explaining pricing is set in its agreements with publishers and cannot be "materially increased by Gamespy unilaterally."