Original owner of the Fallout series (and still partly so) Interplay are still in the midst of a legal tussle with the series' other owner Bethesda, but things are looking up for the release of their Fallout MMO (codenamed Project V13).

The case has sounded messy from the beginning, with both parties not being entirely honest and so casting doubt over the status of the game. However, following Interplay's recent opposition to Bethesda's attempt in canning the project, some concept art has been released -- a sign this baby ain't going down without a fight.

Here's what Interplay developer Chris Taylor had to say when revealing the art you see here on the publisher's forums:

Hi everyone!

Some of the concept art for the game has been released due to the lawsuit. This forum will be a place where we can post high quality versions of the same art and you can give us some feedback on it at the same time.

Keep in mind that this is concept art. It's not finalized art, but it will give you a feel for what we are aiming for with V13.

(And I'll keep bugging the lawyers to release more art when we can... I'm pretty excited that we're finally able to show you some of the work that we've been doing up until now.)

He later says they're going for a somewhat richer look for the universe rather than "just shades of brown" as with previous entries. It's reported at this stage Interplay have already come up with "more than 600 pages of extensive game design documents [for the game] detaling, without limitation: characters, character abilities, equipment and in game items, weapons, concept art, story outlines, and environment descriptions, among other game information." A demo for a playable section of the 3D environment has also been created.

Fallout for us has been very much about the "isolation factor"; nevertheless, these artworks do look promising. If done properly, the game could be a true testament to the classic universe.

Whether or not it goes forward will be determined at the hearing in a few weeks; check back for developments.