Garriott successful in $32 million NCSoft appeal case

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against NCSoft in its last bid to avoid shelling out $32 million to one-time employee Richard Garriott.

NCSoft had appealed a July decision which ruled in Garriott's favour, awarding him $28 million. Gamasutra reports the increase to $32 million covers legal fees and interest accrued between the first judgement and the close of the appeal hearing.

"NCSoft schemed to avoid its obligations to [Garriott] at the trial court and on appeal, and neither the jury nor the 5th Circuit bought any of it," Garriott's lead counsel, Stephen E. Fox, said.

"Contracts have consequences, and as the Court of Appeals explained, the trial court is not a trial run."

Garriott had initiated legal action against NCSoft following his departure from the company in 2008, claiming he had been fired rather than left willingly, and was thereby contractually entitled to three years of stock options.

NCSoft and Lord British parted ways in the wake of Tabula Rasa's release, when the MMO failed to meet revenue targets.