I know some people on this forums still remember the game "Descent" from the 90ies, this is why I am posting this here.
From 1994 to 1999, Interplay published a total of 3 versions of the game with a couple of add-ons and modifications. Despite the original games having been somewhat of a landmark in 3d FPS games, Interplay did not publish any sequel to the game and the series was discontinued. In 2013, a couple of enthusiasts started to work in their spare time on bringing the original Descent 6-degrees-of-freedom gameplay back onto PCs using the Unreal Engine 3 and founded the non-profit project Sol Contingency.
To get an impression about what they were planning to do, you can check out some gameplay footage (note the ship is still a placeholder there)
Some earlier gameplay footage is available too.
Just when the team announced they'd be able to release the first playable demo in October 2014, Interplay, the publisher of the original Descent games stepped in and issued a Cease and Desist order forbidding the project to use any "iconic" assets of the original games, such as ship and level design or content of the background story of the original games. For more information, check out the project's official statement about this on the web site. There is also a Petition being raised by a fan.
According to the developers, Interplay has been aware of the project from a very early stage on.
From a legal perspective, I'm not questioning that Interplay is entitled to forbid usage of protected trade marks and other intellectual property rights (including probably at least the ship design of the Pyro), though it could be questionable if they waived their rights by not using them. However, I don't intend this thread to be about the legal assessment of the situation, but rather to raise awareness about what is going on there between a publisher and a lot of people that, until then, were associating a lot of great moments with the name. In my opinion this is a sad but classical example of how NOT to deal with the people that have been, and would be, your customers.
Personally I am very sad about what happened here, especially since I always liked the Pyro as one of the best designed ships.
Just posting this here to share it with you.
From 1994 to 1999, Interplay published a total of 3 versions of the game with a couple of add-ons and modifications. Despite the original games having been somewhat of a landmark in 3d FPS games, Interplay did not publish any sequel to the game and the series was discontinued. In 2013, a couple of enthusiasts started to work in their spare time on bringing the original Descent 6-degrees-of-freedom gameplay back onto PCs using the Unreal Engine 3 and founded the non-profit project Sol Contingency.
To get an impression about what they were planning to do, you can check out some gameplay footage (note the ship is still a placeholder there)
Some earlier gameplay footage is available too.
Just when the team announced they'd be able to release the first playable demo in October 2014, Interplay, the publisher of the original Descent games stepped in and issued a Cease and Desist order forbidding the project to use any "iconic" assets of the original games, such as ship and level design or content of the background story of the original games. For more information, check out the project's official statement about this on the web site. There is also a Petition being raised by a fan.
According to the developers, Interplay has been aware of the project from a very early stage on.
From a legal perspective, I'm not questioning that Interplay is entitled to forbid usage of protected trade marks and other intellectual property rights (including probably at least the ship design of the Pyro), though it could be questionable if they waived their rights by not using them. However, I don't intend this thread to be about the legal assessment of the situation, but rather to raise awareness about what is going on there between a publisher and a lot of people that, until then, were associating a lot of great moments with the name. In my opinion this is a sad but classical example of how NOT to deal with the people that have been, and would be, your customers.
Personally I am very sad about what happened here, especially since I always liked the Pyro as one of the best designed ships.
Just posting this here to share it with you.
My Xonstats Profile
Latest track on soundcloud: Farewell - to a better Place (piano improvisation)
New to Xonotic? Check out the Newbie Corner!
Latest track on soundcloud: Farewell - to a better Place (piano improvisation)
New to Xonotic? Check out the Newbie Corner!