Report: Checkpoint sues Marvelous AQL, claiming 'hostile takeover' plan

Game studio Checkpoint has filed suit against Marvelous AQL, claiming that the Japanese publisher attempted to take over Checkpoint in an effort to avoid a $2.5 million payout. The suit names Marvelous, XSEED, a former Checkpoint employee, and others on breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, and more.

According to Gamasutra's summary of the case, Marvelous made a deal in 2011 through which it would pay $2.5 m illion in exchange for 35 percent of Checkpoint and two shipped games. Following the release of those two games, AviNation and Party Politics, the two companies planned a similar $2.5 million arrangement for two more games.

However, Checkpoint CEO Brian Wiklem alleged in the suit that chief technical officer Christopher Masterton, owner of 24 percent of Checkpoint, met with Marvelous to sell his own shares and give Marvelous control of the company without Wiklem's consent. Marvelous then hired Masterton and 14 other Checkpoint staffers to work at XSEED. Masterton is now technical lead.

Furthermore, the suit claims, the former Checkpoint staff are now using Checkpoint tech at XSEED, and Masterton refuses to hand over the logins for Checkpoint's Facebook page and other a ccounts. We've asked MAQL for comment.

NintendoWare Weekly: Freakyforms

The eShop quiets down after last week's bounty, with one sort of new eShop game of note. Freakyforms, the game about building weird monsters and taking them on little adventures, has been upgraded for retail release as Freakyforms Deluxe ... and that retail release will also be available on eShop on November 5.

Meanwhile, if you remain unconvinced about Style Savvy: Trendsetters, Nintendo has released another demo. And if you have yet to pick up the great Fractured Soul, you can see some new footage on the eShop.

3DS eShop

• Freakyforms Deluxe â€" November 5 (Nintendo, 1-4 players, $19.99): An enhanced version of the original eShop game adds multiplayer exploration and battle modes, along with other new content.
• 2 Fast 4 Gnomz (QubicGames, 1 player, $4.99): The WiiWare gnome-themed auto-runner goes portable.
• Demo: Style Savvy Trendsetters (Nintendo, 1 player, $39.99): Try a "shopping spree" in yet another Style Savvy demo.

DSiWare

• Spot It! Mean Machines (Big John Games, 1-4 players, $1.99/200 DSi Points): Toy vehicle-themed hidden objects.
• Cake Ninja 2 (Cypronia, 1-2 players, $4.99/500 DSi Points): The first game didn't fully explore the possibilities of "Fruit Ninja but with cakes."