Creator of Roller Coaster Tycoon Sues for $4.8 Million

Atari is in for a roller coaster ride as the creator and developer of their hit game franchise, “Roller Coaster Tycoon”, is suing them for an estimated $4.8 million. Chris Sawyer has claimed that the game publisher engaged in questionable accounting procedures when calculating royalty payments due him. The “Roller Coaster Tycoon” PC franchise is worth approximately $180 million. Sawyer has received $30 million in royalties but brought his lawsuit against the game publisher after an independent audit seemed to show a number of inaccurate deductions from his royalty totals. The $4.8 million Sawyer is suing for is the amount he believes was not paid to him because of the errors. The trial is set to start in London shortly. Defense lawyers representing Atari attempted to change the venue of the trial to New York, where many of their witnesses and key evidence were located, but were turned down by the courts.