Emma Charles, the lead developer of the controversial Dragon Train game is no longer working for Light & Wonder, according to full-service investment banking and corporate banking specialist Truist Securities. As reported by NEXT.io, Truist said also that gambling provider might be consider replacing the game with another one following the recent preliminary injunction.
Charles Has Already Left L&W, Analysts Believe
Truist’s managing director, Barry Jonas, was among those who believe that the current legal battle between Aristocrat and Light & Wonder is “specific and limited” to Dragon Train and its designer, Charles.
Charles, for context, is a former Aristocrat employee who has been accused of disclosing the business’ trade secrets with her new employer, L&W.
According to Truist’s analysts, Light & Wonder might already be in talks with its partnering operators about a potential replacement of Dragon Train with other games.
Charles Had Tapped into Aristocrat’s Trade Secrets
As mentioned, Charles is a former member of Aristocrat’s development team and has played a key role in the development of the Dragon Link game. Aristocrat eventually noticed eerie similarities between the two titles and took Light & Wonder to court, alleging that Charles had stolen ideas and mathematical models from her former employer.
Aristocrat’s lawsuit alleged that Charles had had absolute access to confidential information about the developer’s Dragon Link and Lighting Link games and the features that made them so successful.
Aristocrat managed to score a preliminary win in the legal battle and, as result, the Nevada District Court prohibited Light & Wonder from profiting from Dragon Train. The company will furthermore be required to remove all Dragon Train machines by October 23.
Charles wasn’t the only one implicated in the lawsuit. Games designer Dinh Toan Tran likewise found himself under fire for allegedly downloading multiple confidential files before exiting the company.
Truist Reiterates “Buy” Rating for L&W Despite the Setback
The Nevada District Court’s decision to side with Aristocrat caused Light & Wonder’s stocks to plummet. Despite the 22% decline in share price, however, the company expressed confidence in its 2025 EBITDA guidance.
Truist analysts were likewise optimistic about Light & Wonder’s business in spite of the setback and reiterated its Buy rating for the company. This echoed earlier statements by Macquarie.
