Welsh independent developer Arberth Studios has taken on all non-American licensing rights to hit point-and-click PC adventure game, ’Rhiannon: Curse of the Four Branches’.

Arberth has parted company with European publisher Lighthouse Interactive, which hit financial difficulties after the collapse of its UK distributor last year. Lighthouse agreed to cancel the contract after three months of operation.

The independent studio, based in West Wales on the Celtic fringe of the UK, has acquired a sizeable proportion of the remaining stock of ’Rhiannon’ and is offering it through a number of outlets, including its own website at www.arberthstudios.com

The Welsh independent has declared itself ready to open negotiations with other publishers and distributors for Europe and the world excluding North America and Mexico.

’Rhiannon’ was an instant success story after its launch in Autumn 2008, hitting the top of Amazon’s list of best selling adventures and gaining plaudits from players and reviewers. It is performing well in North America, where Got Game Entertainment currently has publishing rights. The Arberth team are busy working on their second game, ’Coven’ - a story encompassing witchcraft in the sixteenth century and the present day - also set in Wales.

Noel Bruton of Arberth Studios comments: "This is an exciting time for Arberth as we look for another European partner to work with us. Lighthouse announced in December 2008, that due at least in part to the collapse of its UK distributor, it could not meet its financial commitments to us. We took the decision to salvage something from the remains of Lighthouse to ensure continuity of supply."

He continues: "Lighthouse had begun, but not concluded the setting up of various distribution deals in Europe. We were very keen to localise for the Lighthouse territories, and German and Italian translations were well advanced. But development of these is now in abeyance until a way forward can be found."