KQIX Project shuts down

[KingGraham]

Man... this stinks! 

It's not all over yet. Plus what they've done is a pretty standard procedure, almost every company that holds rights to a brand have that and Vivendi aren't an exception. And it's not exactly true that AGDI were let off easily, I remember they went through a long hassle and also had to change one of their games. Tongue

How far are you willing to go to save this game?

[KatieHal]

Hey folks,

Wow, been a while since I posted in here! But a worthy cause for coming back to it.

First of all, thank you all SO MUCH for your support not only now, but through the years we've been putting this thing together, for having faith, for everything. You're the people we made this thing for!!

Second, we are far from dead and gone, and this is very far from over! As has been said, we are exploring a number of possibilities for the steps we can take now, seeing what options we've got open to us. Believe me, this is not nearly the last you'll hear of Phoenix Online Studios.

When one door closes, another one opens. We're just going to have to see where that door will lead us. 

[Petter Holmberg]

Guys,

Your words of support are nothing but touching! It's a temporary letdown for all of us, but something good will come out of this. You can count on it! This team is simply too great to die. Our work has not been a waste of time and neither has your support been!

[Def Zeppelin]

Oh my god, this sucks so badly.  Especially to those whom worked on this project for years.

As for not many fangame projects coming out, that may be true, but K9 had a lot of hype and a huge community, and that should be a red flag to Vivendi to send out an C&D.

As someone else said, this seems very rotten.  I bet before the K9 project was being worked on Vivendi never thought to make a sequel.  I bet they just waited to see how this project would do so they could know if the KQ series still had a fanbase to make a profit off of.

Greedy Vultures, there are rarely anymore good honest companies nowadays, no heart at all.

[Def Zeppelin]

I would just like to say:  Thank you very much Phoenix Online Studios for all the hard work you have done over the years, and I am sorry for the way Vivendi treated you guys.

[Yonkey]

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Just to comment on what's been said earlier in this thread, it's a bit more complicated than renaming names and places.  We do not know specifically what Vivendi has issues with in the game.  They just requested we cease all development, and gave no other option.  

[Vernypibb21]

AH MANNNNNNN.   Yeah you should totally just change the names we we'll know who you are really talking about.  I mean man right after the whole preview of the game.  I was getting really psyched up about it.  You should just send us all what you have done on it as of now.  Prince's Quest.  Think about it.  You can even change your entire site

[Rosella]

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Just to comment on what's been said earlier in this thread, it's a bit more complicated than renaming names and places.  We do not know specifically what Vivendi has issues with in the game.  They just requested we cease all development, and gave no other option.  

So there's no chance of KQIX?

[KingGraham]

I bet Vivindi would be willing to pay for what you've already done... maybe this project could acually be the official KQIX. Ahh... dreams...
BUt then again they could be mad at you for taking the idea in the first place.

[Warlock]

Thanks again for everyone's support.

Just to comment on what's been said earlier in this thread, it's a bit more complicated than renaming names and places.  We do not know specifically what Vivendi has issues with in the game.  They just requested we cease all development, and gave no other option.  

So there's no chance of KQIX?

There is, but as I understand it we're waiting for them to make a move now. As has been stated by myself and several others in this thread, we're exploring all possibilities.

And as Katie so elegantly put it:

This is not nearly the last you'll hear of Phoenix Online Studios.

[knightoftheword]

Thanks to all of you for doing this...it was so encouraging to see a team like yours take on such a challenging project and have a hope of succeeding: but you all surpassed everyone's expectations and produced a truly outstanding game. I can say that even though I won't ever be able to play it. And don't stop here, please keep this going. You have a loyal fanbase who will follow your work and are grateful for what you've done. I started the KQ series with KQ2 20 years ago and have been hooked ever since.

Looking forward to seeing what comes next...

[MATTANDALEX]

this is so devestating...

kq9 was my first ever forum...

and worst of all this could mean an offical sequal which might be another MoE!

[JonStoll]

I, for one,  am deeply hurt and disappointment by the outcome of this situation. As an artist I feel cheated that over two years of my life, that I have dedicated to KQIX, has been taken from me. Personally, I was not prepared for this blow. This project meant more to me than I can express in words. I'm sure most of the team can empathize with me. I've been thinking lately, and I'm not sure I have the energy to undertake another project altogether. We poured our hearts and souls into KQIX. I'm exhausted, as I'm sure the rest of the team is. I will always support KQIX and no matter what happens I don't think we should give up what we've worked so hard to accomplish.

To the fans: Thank you all so much for showing us (fellow fans) that adventure gaming is not dead, and that you're all willing to stick by us through thick and thin. This kind of love and support means a lot to me. Keep your hopes up!

[Def Zeppelin]

I am pretty comfortable knowing that the future of the KQ series are in the hands of a company that made "50 cent: bullet proof."

[brink]

 I am very sorry to hear this; like all I was looking forward to this game. It is strange indeed that Vivendi invokes their right at this moment, when they are re-releasing some collections.
What their policy is remains a mystery to me. I would say that your project would be advantageous for the re-releases. They didn’t object to the remakes of KQ1 en 2. They let the project go on for years, and apparently they have never warned you before. Legally right OK, but morally quite disputable.
Most of all, they bought the Sierra name years ago, and only used it as a brand name. They haven’t made any attempt to produce a serious game like Sierra in their golden days; in fact they haven’t produced any (pure) adventure in years. Ken Williams offered his advice; he never got a serious answer. And when they made Leisure Suit Larry Magna Cum Lauda, they decided - mistakenly - not to make it an adventure game, and they hadn’t the decency to ask Al Lowe at least as consultant, and the game made very clear what their aim was: more cash. Fortunately they failed badly, when I see the numbers of new copies that are sold at eBay since the game was published. And now they are re-releasing the collections, apparently to make more money out of the efforts and talent of others. I have no high hopes that Vivendi will contribute to the genre in the future. The like to create adrenaline games, like so may companies, for those sell very well. Instead of announcing their KQ 9 or 10 (or 8, as Mask of Eternity isn’t considered by some to be a KQ game), or at least a decent adventure, they shut you down. Sad. Why not offer you the opportunity to work together and to have the final project published by Vivendi. That would be good business, wouldn’t it, for a company that loves money first? Someone said there was reason to hate Vivendi; there is certainly reason to despise their managers (and besides all the artists that weren’t capable to demand together that the company would make at least a decent adventure every few years). 

[Legolas80]

This just makes me so sad. I have been looking so much forward to this game, which looked like the best adventure game in years. Especially after the trailer. Words cannot describe my disappointment and my anger towards Vivendi. If they do release KQIX I'm sure it will not even come close to your game. They will probably not even include Roberta in the process.

Well, I just want to say congratulations to the team here for giving the KQ-fans some great years of expectation. Too bad it had to end like this.

So, is it impossible for you to release more screenshots, or maybe the plot? It would be fun to read what could have been.

Good luck to the team, in whatever you do. You've gotten a huge fanbase with this game, and I'll definatly support any other work you do!

[iuprosella20]

This is really disappointing..       I have been looking forward to the release of KQ IX for ages.  I've followed all the updates and watched eagerly for the release date.  The first part of the game was going to be my treat to myself over my college winter break.  I really hope Vivendi reconsiders, because you aren't looking for a profit, it was just something fun for all the fans of the series to enjoy.  I'd even be willing to pay to play the game if they want you to pay copyright fees.  If you can't release it, as someone already said, could you at least give us a basic plot of how things were going to end up???  Thanks so much for all your hard work, and I really hope things work out so you can still release the game.

[awesomeasapossum]

Great. Just great. and in time for my birthday too. Oct 8. Man. Please take them to court. Do something! Don't give up! Please....

[Gamemaster]

Attention developers:

The reason you received a cease and desist letter is because you are using the name "King's Quest" which is trademarked.  You can still continue your independent project, just don't violate copyright and trademark laws. 

It appears that you guys were far along in the project, so why quit now?  You can still finish the project and just call it "Every Cloak Has A Silver Lining."

This is something you have to discuss with your lawyers, but I'm sure there is still a way to finish and release your independent project.  I was looking forward to this game.  Hopefully, I (and all the fans) will still get to see it!

Good luck!

[Warlock]

Attention developers:

The reason you received a cease and desist letter is because you are using the name "King's Quest" which is trademarked.  You can still continue your independent project, just don't violate copyright and trademark laws. 

It appears that you guys were far along in the project, so why quit now?  You can still finish the project and just call it "Every Cloak Has A Silver Lining."

This is something you have to discuss with your lawyers, but I'm sure there is still a way to finish and release your independent project.  I was looking forward to this game.  Hopefully, I (and all the fans) will still get to see it!

Good luck!

I moved your message here because it seems to belong into this thread.

As far as I understand it, it's more so than just using the name King's Quest, and besides, we aren't. I'm not the most knowledgable person on legal issues, but you can't make a legal continuation of something without permission, regardless of whether you're using the name or not. Thank you for the message though, perhaps someone wiser than myself will see it and give a few words of wisdom.