A year before the release of Too Human, Silicon Knights sued Epic Games over selling them a version of the Unreal Engine 3 that was allegedly glitchy and flawed. However, in a twist of fate, Epic counter-sued them, citing unauthorized modifications to the engine and the lack of credit or royalties Epic was given. After five years of arguing, the court ruled in favor of Epic, and Silicon Knights was fined $13 million for damages as a direct result. In addition, they were ordered by the court to recall and eradicate all unsold copies of Too Human, their later project, X-Men: Destiny, the game codes using the modified engine, and any other future projects planned.
To the devs: Whatever happens, whatever pitfalls, traps, glitcheshf, intense bugginess...consult with the writers of the base engine first before trying to kitbash around it. Granted Silicon Knights had a spectacular and horrifying fall from grace in their latter years that was fueled by the ego of their CEO and MWM is just starting out; I do want to see this project succeed.
If something isn't working, ask Epic first. Don't find a way around it only to have it blow up later.
The original Lady of Ysgard. -Virtue
[img]http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/203/c/5/Updated_Homage_by_Voldine.jpg[/img]
Isn't this why MWM is buying a license for the UT engine? My understanding was that with this license they would be authorized to make changes to the engine.
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[font=Pristina][size=18][b]Hail Beard![/b][/size][/font]
Support [url=http://cityoftitans.com/comment/52149#comment-52149]trap clowns[/url] for CoT!
I believe that this might well help clear up the situation.
But it is something to take note of though.
Whilst you are correct, I believe that the licensing has changed over the years. However, remember that 25% (ish) of all MWM's revenue (from the game) goes towards Epic now. If they stopped paying Epic (or missed out a payment for ANY reason), then something similar could well happen to them, especially if they had modified the engine.
I could be wrong, but if you *buy* a version of Epic, you are stuck with that version (or at least that could well be the case back then), MWM are effectively "renting" the Epic engine, with the bonus of always getting the updates. If you buy it, you might have (at least at that point in time) been stuck with the version that you bought.
The solution seems obvious to me.
Step 1: Don't engage in frivolous lawsuits.
Step 2: ???
Step 3: Profit.
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[font=Pristina][size=18][b]Hail Beard![/b][/size][/font]
Support [url=http://cityoftitans.com/comment/52149#comment-52149]trap clowns[/url] for CoT!
Not necessarily. I believed (at least at that point in time) that Silicon Knights had some case for it, in that they were sold a faulty product and that Epic were not going to help them out (the stuff that fixed/improved features in the general engine were "Game specific"....in a general engine release, which anyone from that point forward could have used).
<.speculation>
I think that Silicon Knights might have stopped paying Epic, and then tried to fix it, which was where their problems really kicked in. If Silicon Knights had carried on paying Epic, the case might have gone differently. <./speculation>
I think that SK needed to challenge Epic on Epic's failure to deliver, and then SK should have also ceased development at that point.
Following events would have jeopardized multiple projects' timelines, but they could have attached those damages to the original challenge. Then again, it's also possible that the original contract may not have been favorable for such a challenge to begin with.
While no doubt concerned about their own timelines and financial commitments, SK ran afoul when they pressed on with unauthorized customizing of Epic's product. The notion or fact that it was initially Epic's own negligence or failure-to-deliver that led them down that path is irrelevant.
[img]https://i.imgur.com/26pBVBG.png[/img]
([i]Currently developing the Sapphire 7 Initiative[/i])
Our devs' relationship with the folks at Unreal has been mutually responsive and fruitful. The lines of communication are wide open and whatever happened with the unfortunate situation in the OP will certainly not be repeated with Missing Worlds Media.
Former Online Community Manager & Forum Moderator
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Half of the situation with SK was just the CEO being full of himself to the point where Narcissus would say 'Dude, you need help.'
My main concern was just based on how ambitious this project is, and what happened with this engine and a certain previous ambitious project.
No matter how good things are going, getting a swelled head makes you as good as dead.
The original Lady of Ysgard. -Virtue
[img]http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2010/203/c/5/Updated_Homage_by_Voldine.jpg[/img]
I don't think we have to worry about our devs getting a swelled head until after the release date.