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The Silver Lining - Cease and Desist

Started by Yonkey, February 27, 2010, 08:59:56 PM

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Erpy

#600
When IP changes ownership, all contracts and licenses involving the IP are automatically transferred to the new owner. If the old IP holder was actually funding the production of a project, the new IP holder can cancel it though. (and I believe Activision pulled that trick in the past) If you acquired a commercial license by purchasing it with funds from an outside source however, the license can't be revoked just like that.

However, I'm not certain if a "complete all of them"-clause is gonna be in there. When licensing a product, you're basically paying per use. Buying a license for a single game is cheaper than buying a license for several games and you don't know in advance just how profitable the project is gonna be. Getting a license for one chapter at a time is the safer route. The riskier route is trying to get a license for an entire series and if things turn out to be commercially profitable, you don't run the risk of the IP holder wanting a higher price for licensing the next chapter, but if things aren't turning a tidy profit, you've paid a lot of additional money for permission to release chapters you don't have the funds to produce.

In the end, it all depends on how lucky the financing party feels about things. (whoever that's gonna be)


waltzdancing

Thank you for the insight, you are right about the single game idea. It would be less risky for just this first chapter to come out and I would be happy with anything.  :D

atec123

Quote from: waltzdancing on March 28, 2010, 07:25:36 PM
Thank you for the insight, you are right about the single game idea. It would be less risky for just this first chapter to come out and I would be happy with anything.  :D
why not just combine them so they are one game?
Official maintainer of TSL in linux via Wine. TSL AppDB page
Maintainer of TSL in OSX via Wine
TSL IRC Chatroom Maintainer
We are the Defenders of Jazz Ballet
People say, when they see us:
Hey, folks! It's the Saviours of Jazz Ballet
Fearless heroes of kick and spin

Rider Jetfire

What with all the time it took to create this one, it would take much, much, longer to release them all as one game.  And if the first game sold well, the team could make even more money off other chapters, and be able to release them faster.
What thing is it without a name that brings my mind ere back the same to thee?

waltzdancing

Quote from: Rider Jetfire on March 28, 2010, 08:03:33 PM
What with all the time it took to create this one, it would take much, much, longer to release them all as one game.  And if the first game sold well, the team could make even more money off other chapters, and be able to release them faster.

That was my thinking

Sendaiko

Well, as I said in my first post on here, I suck socially, so I've not posted here. But, I feel I should once more throw my 2 cents into the hat so-to-speak, simply because as a game developer myself, I do know how much every little bit of support makes you happier inside to read. Especially in ill times. With that being said, my post will likely be long since they're few between, ignore it if you like.

I've not bothered posting in some weeks, but I have managed to rally the support of almost everyone I know (Considering I helped develop Official Tibia and currently GM on 2 RO Private Servers, that's more people than you might expect from someone as socially inept as myself.)

I've not yet read through 'all' the posts since my last one, but I've done quite a few. I'm glad to see progress (Whether that progress is good or bad) is being made. For the team, even more than the fans, I do hope progress continues being made. Because, regardless of the outcome, it's the road getting there that can cause the most stress.

As far as the purchase of any kind of license goes, I'm not going to comment too far into this. Obviously as a fan, my opinion is bias and I'd love to see it happen but, as a developer, I know first hand how costly it is and that, in their position, I sure as hell couldn't afford it.

In the end, whatever the outcome, as long as the team is satisfied with it, I support their decision. They're the ones that have been putting the work into this and, regardless of the wonderful support some of you have show, us fans have, in reality, just waited for the most part.

So, as always, I wish the team the best of luck and applaud those of you whom support them on a daily basis. Whether it's by simply keeping active on the forums or those of us who are inept at doing so and find other means. Bravo and brava.


P.S.
On a personal note, thank you, Waltz. Regardless of the fact that I may not know you personally, it's always nice to hear a kind word from your fellow people. You're actually one of the supporters I respect the most, despite the fact that you may not have been here as long as some of us, but you seem like a good person. I wish you the best, mate.


theroachyjay

Yikes!  Very bold decision.  But I commend it!

If Phoenix decides it needs to buy the full IP, I will lend what support I can.  It took me a while to skim through all this, so I'm not sure who exactly said it before, but it would be in good hands and absolutely worth it.

And in the end, TSL would be canon.  Which I dare say many of us likely consider it to be in any case. It may be fueled by fans, but the amount of work going into it makes it much, much more than any mere "fan game."

Whatever happens,

The world revolves around money.  It wouldn't be immoral or untrue to the spirit of TSL and King's Quset to commercialize this if that is what needs to be done.

POS set out to give the series a proper conclusion over Mask of Eternity, and the fact that they're still fighting for it is truly inspiring.
Jules Ismail

Angelic_Sabyne

Count me as another lurker who has been a quiet fan for some time.  (I even tried to be a Beta Tester...did better than I thought I would in the contest!).  I've been up rather late reading up on all of this, so once I recharge my batteries with some sleep, I'll throw in my help wherever I can.

Quick question for Waltz before I turn in...can we write our own custom letters and have you mail them to Activision?  Or are the form letters preferable?  Either way, I'll do my best to contribute once I'm rested.  :)

crayauchtin

Quote from: Angelic_Sabyne on March 29, 2010, 01:54:26 AM
Count me as another lurker who has been a quiet fan for some time.  (I even tried to be a Beta Tester...did better than I thought I would in the contest!).  I've been up rather late reading up on all of this, so once I recharge my batteries with some sleep, I'll throw in my help wherever I can.

Quick question for Waltz before I turn in...can we write our own custom letters and have you mail them to Activision?  Or are the form letters preferable?  Either way, I'll do my best to contribute once I'm rested.  :)
I know you asked Waltz, but let me just make this suggestion:
I think if you write your own it is more likely to be read if you send it individually, the form letters Waltz is sending are more of a "this many people think you suck" sort of a thing -- a petition of sorts in that sense. If you don't mind writing a letter that most likely won't be read (as after skimming a few in each box, I'm sure they noticed the letters are basically all the same and stopped reading) then go ahead and send it to Waltz. If you'd like them to read it (which I think would certainly be good), I recommend sending it yourself and sending Waltz one of the form letters as well.
"If your translation is correct, that was 'May a sleepy hippopotamus lie down on your house keys,' but you're not sure. Unfortunately, your fluency in griffin-speak is too low."

We're roleplaying in the King's Quest world: come join in the fun!

Erpy

Quotewhy not just combine them so they are one game?

Yonkey already made a post about episodic release schedules and all, so the trend is heading towards more smaller pieces, rather than less but larger parts. Making one massive game out of all chapters would mean the development of the entire series would have to be funded in one go without being able to use profits from preceeding chapters to fund upcoming ones. There's a large risk that half-way through, the project runs out of funds and is then cancelled. This prospect alone would scare off potential investors.


waltzdancing

Quote from: Angelic_Sabyne on March 29, 2010, 01:54:26 AM
Quick question for Waltz before I turn in...can we write our own custom letters and have you mail them to Activision?  Or are the form letters preferable?  Either way, I'll do my best to contribute once I'm rested.  :)

I'd have to agree with Cray on this one. I have been sending the form letters to Activision, however if you want me to send it I can. I have not received any new letters this week which is sort of disheartening but keep them coming if you have not sent one yet.

Quote from: Sendaiko on March 29, 2010, 12:05:59 AM
P.S.
On a personal note, thank you, Waltz. Regardless of the fact that I may not know you personally, it's always nice to hear a kind word from your fellow people. You're actually one of the supporters I respect the most, despite the fact that you may not have been here as long as some of us, but you seem like a good person. I wish you the best, mate.


Thank you, Sendaiko. I have not been here as long as many of the people here but I am happy to have been welcomed into a community that was warm and open to new people, and I value your respect, Thanks  ;)

Angelic_Sabyne

Thanks for the answers, Cray and Waltz.  I'll definitely try and have you (Waltz) send a form letter on my behalf.  I might also send my own non-form letter.  There's a chance it'll end up in the nearest recycling bin at Activision, but at least it's one more they'd have to open.

I've noticed things have quieted on the publicity front slightly.  I've read the past articles written by the gaming sites and magazines, and I've noticed the response is almost totally positive.  It makes me wonder if, in addition to letter-writing and e-mailing Activision, we should also write letters to the Editors of the game magazines, letting them know we're still fighting for this game.  It might also help spread the word to folks who haven't heard about the C&D for whatever reason, since not everyone may frequent the website of a game magazine.

I'll do some more checking around, and see if there's anywhere else I can find to spread the word that hasn't already been utilized.  I've found a couple more magazines that haven't already done a write-up of the C&D issue, plus there are other sources and forums I might be able to put a few good words into.

Last note.  I saw there's a MySpace page and a Facebook Group.  Has there been any mention of this on LJ?  Any talk of creating a LJ community for saving TSL?

Delling

Quote from: waltzdancing on March 29, 2010, 09:16:01 AM
Quote from: Angelic_Sabyne on March 29, 2010, 01:54:26 AM
Quick question for Waltz before I turn in...can we write our own custom letters and have you mail them to Activision?  Or are the form letters preferable?  Either way, I'll do my best to contribute once I'm rested.  :)

I'd have to agree with Cray on this one. I have been sending the form letters to Activision, however if you want me to send it I can. I have not received any new letters this week which is sort of disheartening but keep them coming if you have not sent one yet.
I have mine signed and ready to go... but I can't seem to find a way to get it to you. :-\ If I could send it as an image instead, I could probably email it to you this evening.
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Duke of Saxony in Her Majesty's Court
Knight of the Swan for Her Imperial Highness

...resistance was obviously useless against a family that could invent italics.

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waltzdancing

#613
That will work too Delling.  8)

One investor that maybe POS could hook up with is Telltale, and maybe EA Games. I know they are another big company but they might like the profits of this game. They also make the Harry Potter games and have a large base of games that vary. Just a thought for anyone to chew on.

atec123

I think Cesar works for telltale..... doesn't he?
Official maintainer of TSL in linux via Wine. TSL AppDB page
Maintainer of TSL in OSX via Wine
TSL IRC Chatroom Maintainer
We are the Defenders of Jazz Ballet
People say, when they see us:
Hey, folks! It's the Saviours of Jazz Ballet
Fearless heroes of kick and spin

Yonkey

Quote from: Angelic_Sabyne on March 29, 2010, 10:15:53 AM
I've noticed things have quieted on the publicity front slightly.
Don't worry, there are a lot of places that haven't released their articles yet.  I'll keep updating this thread as soon as new interviews come out.
"A wish changes nothing. A decision changes everything."

waltzdancing

Thats why I suggested it. They might be willing to help or find a group who just likes to invest in games. Some group from the outside that can contribute to help us.

Angelic_Sabyne

Quote from: Yonkey on March 29, 2010, 10:44:45 AM
Quote from: Angelic_Sabyne on March 29, 2010, 10:15:53 AM
I've noticed things have quieted on the publicity front slightly.
Don't worry, there are a lot of places that haven't released their articles yet.  I'll keep updating this thread as soon as new interviews come out.

Thanks, Yonkey.  I've been doing a fair bit of poking around, and I'd noticed that the majority of articles were going on a month old.  I'll still keep an eye and an ear out for ways to spread the word in the real world here, and I'll definitely report back anything positive I find out.

Yonkey

Sounds like a great idea, Angelic_Sabyne! ;D  All I can say at this point is there are some really great interviews to come out in the very near future. 8)
"A wish changes nothing. A decision changes everything."

oberonqa

#619
I've contacted over 100 gaming websites over the course of the last month.  I'm still keeping an eye out for sites I may have missed... but here is the list (not in any paticular order and not alphabetized):

AblestMage
Adrenaline Vault
Adventure Developers
Aperture Games
AtomicGamer
AusGamers
BigDownload
Bit-Tech
Blue’s News
BoxDen
Colony of Gamers
Destructoid
DTechGadget
The Escapist
EuroGamer
Financeoid
First Frag
FluffySpoon
GameAlmighty
Gamasutra
GameCareerGuide
GameDev
GameInformer
GameKicker
GameRant
GamerBlips
GamerLimit
GamerTell
GamerNook
Games On Net
Geek.com
IncGamers
InfoAddict
Joystiq
Kotaku
LazyGamer
MediaWhoreNetwork
MeoToo
MTV
N4G
NeoSeeker
NewdGamez
Ninstation
One of Swords
PCDaily News
Play.tm
Power On Games
Reddit
Rock, Paper, Shotgun
RPGWatch
ShackNews
Shdon
SierraGamers
SlashDot
SlowDown
Spong
Strategy Informer
TechDirt
Tech-Out
Terminal Gamer
That Videogame Blog
Toms Hardware
Total Format
Total Gaming Network
TweetMeMe
UberVU
VGCharts
Voodoo Extreme
Whispering Rose Game Talk Radio
ZergWatch
Zombie Apocalypse Today
Yahoo Games
GameSpot
Computer And Video Games
1up
IGN
Science Daily
Gamepro
GameZone
CheatCC
Penny Arcade
GiantBomb
GamerShell
GameWinners
Edge-Online
CNN
News-a-rama
The Magic Box
Totally VideoGames
Wired
Engadget
Entertainment Weekly
BBC News
MMORPG Daily
Anime News Network
Spike
VG 24-7
GameIndustry.biz
The Computer Show
Gamestar.de
Computer Gaming World
PC Gamer UK
Orange Lounge Radio
Game Boomers
GameSpy
JustAdventure

 
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