The old game was closed. NCSoft may not legally have been able to retain some of the information past a certain point. The EULA stopped being valid when you could not log into the game as that was when you agreed to the terms. It isn't certain yet what the team can get.
The data for the game may be a snapshot - disk image and not a set of DVD's you can just load onto a server. We may not have all of the game code except this disk image that can be loaded in and ported off. We may not have all of the tools that were built to edit the game. Honestly, i posted a few times on Facebook but because of the nature of its interface it was a nightmare to keep up with. They also just appear to follow whatever rumor blows in and not follow this thread.
It makes no sense to try and keep up with all of this stuff since I do have a full time job and a new house to work on! I reference this site and thread and say that here is where you get information. One of the team leads actually said that the Facebook folks appear to just be setting themselves up for disappointment as they take rumor for fact.
I have recieved from some sources that the character data is there and that they have an inside source at NCSoft who has all the stuff gathered together. This might be true or just an elborate trolling attempt. It is being investigated but it is NOT confirmed. I do speculate here but I also tell you when I do and don't have facts. I am in contact with the 2 leads on the team and the PR person - at this stage we all agree until there is a deal - keep it encouraging but also realistic.
I ran a little ahead reading into an email a bit too much and while it is technically one signature away from a deal - the conditions stand in the way of that signature. They have to hash out who gets what and for how much. The 2 devs I have spoken to directly say what the condition of the game is in - is secondary to getting the framework for the conditions worked out. They have to get it right and are taking care to do so.
I think most adult minds understand what you are saying. It's process. it has to be gone through. There is a lot of money at stake and people do and should be cautious when that happens. Look at 2007 and see what happens when you don't.
Because of the way Facebook displays things it is hopeless to keep it up to date unless you do nothing but post and repost the same things in each and every thread. I was attempting it myself but the amount of non comprehension and willful disbelief was too high as was the time commitment to do so. The return was too low.
So what you are describing is that both sides have an statement of intent to move ahead. This is important because it ties both parties to the deal, making it harder for a third party to interfere.
Final conditions must be sorted out. Once both sides have agreed, the NCSoft team will take it to the person who can sign off on the deal. He will ask them if it looks clean and if they say yes, then he will sign.
Likely, this document will stipulate terms of payment and the timetable for assets to be surrendered. Assuming that everything is as both sides described in the initial and final negotiations, the deal will be done.
If it isn't, they will have to reopen negotiations to to adjust the deal. This can add months so let's hope that isn't necessary. But this is exactly why you take your time during the initial due diligence phase of the negotiations.
This sounds to me like a standard acquisition with a motivated buyer and seller. Technical details aside, this sounds very doable from a business standpoint (with caveat that I have no access to any details and base all this on SOP)