Atari Being Sued by Frontier Over RCT3?!

[W4LD0]

Holy crap Batman! This video just came out from The Know about Frontier's current lawsuit against Atari, and whatever the end result, its going to have an impact on us as Elite players in some way or another.

[video=youtube;vJsZlCwpAY8]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJsZlCwpAY8[/video]

 

[Heavenly-Hammer]

I'm surprised that Valve doesn't release sales numbers to developers and publishers.

I wonder what their reason is.

Getting money for work you've already done always feels bad. I hope this works out expeditiously for FDev.

 

[LeoBartlet]

Hopefully with any settlement money they get they can hire more developers to work on everyones pet peeves that apparently litter the game.

Or ya know finish SC for Roberts.

 

[W4LD0]

I'm surprised that Valve doesn't release sales numbers to developers and publishers.

I wonder what their reason is.

That fact caught me off guard as well, as we would assume that Valve is accountable to the same standards as any license dispenser for any form of media. The music industry literally requires sales numbers across every medium and from every distributor so they can critique as needed. So why isn't the gaming industry?

Their reasoning is more than likely corporate greed, just as any other company with a stranglehold on a particular market, they are trying to expand and conquer all at once.

Getting money for work you've already done always feels bad. I hope this works out expeditiously for FDev.

Agreed, it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. I'm sure the whole incident has taken it's toll over time on both Mr. Braben and company alike.

 

[Thetele]

That fact caught me off guard as well, as we would assume that Valve is accountable to the same standards as any license dispenser for any form of media. The music industry literally requires sales numbers across every medium and from every distributor so they can critique as needed. So why isn't the gaming industry?

Their reasoning is more than likely corporate greed, just as any other company with a stranglehold on a particular market, they are trying to expand and conquer all at once.



Agreed, it leaves a bad taste in one's mouth. I'm sure the whole incident has taken it's toll over time on both Mr. Braben and company alike.

Valve give numbers to who they have contract with. In most chases its publisher. Developer has many times little to no control over marketing or where the game is on sale, they build product or game that someone else has ordered from them. If publisher doesn't give that information away Valve has no reason to give it to people who are not part of the contract and the publisher can decide what they want to do with that information. Most publishers started to not release sale numbers for games couple years ago, so probably most appreciate that valve don't release any sale numbers.

On topic I hope this doesn't cause damage to elite dangerous or make frontier add pay to win elements or other shady payments to get money in chase they lose the legal fight.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

On topic I hope this doesn't cause damage to elite dangerous or make frontier add pay to win elements or other shady payments to get money in chase they lose the legal fight.

This is why I'm delighted to see Planet Coaster's decent success, it surely helps a lot keeping the lights on at Frontier.

 

[Arius]

Poor journalism.

 

[W4LD0]

Valve give numbers to who they have contract with. In most chases its publisher. Developer has many times little to no control over marketing or where the game is on sale, they build product or game that someone else has ordered from them. If publisher doesn't give that information away Valve has no reason to give it to people who are not part of the contract and the publisher can decide what they want to do with that information. Most publishers started to not release sale numbers for games couple years ago, so probably most appreciate that valve don't release any sale numbers.

On topic I hope this doesn't cause damage to elite dangerous or make frontier add pay to win elements or other shady payments to get money in chase they lose the legal fight.

This would most certainly make sense, but Frontier, like any other developer or individual, deserves compensation for what work they have done. I agree that losing the legal battle would be devastating, but I believe Frontier will do what it needs to pull through victorious.

This is why I'm delighted to see Planet Coaster's decent success, it surely helps a lot keeping the lights on at Frontier.

Agreed, I don't personally own the game but am most assuredly looking forward to being able to acquire it someday.

 

[Rafe Zetter]

I can't stop staring at that guys head.

haha "beuller".

 

[Brett C]

Hi all, we can confirm that Frontier Developments is currently pursuing a complaint against Atari. We have attempted to resolve this issue without legal action since April of 2016.

Unfortunately, this has left us with no other way to resolve our concerns without legal discourse. We are unable to offer any further comment while the matter is subject to due legal process. Thank you.

 

[Allen Stroud]

Listened to the report. Sounds almost identical to what happened to me, only on a larger scale. Withholding numbers, sales numbers, royalty calculations, etc.

Good luck Frontier. Stay classy.

 

[maxpayne]

Hi all, we can confirm that Frontier Developments is currently pursuing a complaint against Atari. We have attempted to resolve this issue without legal action since April of 2016.

Unfortunately, this has left us with no other way to resolve our concerns without legal discourse. We are unable to offer any further comment while the matter is subject to due legal process. Thank you.

well, obviously PC has done way better. Keep up the good work.

 

[Shadowdancer]

whatever the end result, its going to have an impact on us as Elite players in some way or another.

If this is about 2.2 Million USD as put forth here without the annoying talking heads, it is rather unlikely to really affect "us" in a measurable way. Yes, looking at Frontier's numbers, it is a significant amount since they are not exactly a multi-billion-USD/GBP behemoth, but realistically it should not be make-or-break either way this goes.

 

[[VR] Mad Mike]

Hi all, we can confirm that Frontier Developments is currently pursuing a complaint against Atari. We have attempted to resolve this issue without legal action since April of 2016.

Unfortunately, this has left us with no other way to resolve our concerns without legal discourse. We are unable to offer any further comment while the matter is subject to due legal process. Thank you.

i have no idea why you are suing them and nor should i however, after the way Atari treated Jeff Minter with his VR version of TxK all i can say is, good luck and sock it to them

edit listening to video now

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

Remember, this is money FD didn't project into their future as they weren't aware of Atari holding back numbers and royalties. It is extra which they can gain if they win anything in court. Also they need to get their hands on books first.

 

[W4LD0]

What I find particularly amusing is the fact that TMZ was the news agency to break the story first. I guess Hollywood and it's celebs got pretty boring after "Hollyweed" left town.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/01/03/atari-video-game-royalties-lawsuit/

Hi all, we can confirm that Frontier Developments is currently pursuing a complaint against Atari. We have attempted to resolve this issue without legal action since April of 2016.

Unfortunately, this has left us with no other way to resolve our concerns without legal discourse. We are unable to offer any further comment while the matter is subject to due legal process. Thank you.

Thanks for the confirmation Brett, and don't sweat saying too much; I understand how these sorts of things go with legalities and yada yada yada.

If this is about 2.2 Million USD as put forth here without the annoying talking heads, it is rather unlikely to really affect "us" in a measurable way. Yes, looking at Frontier's numbers, it is a significant amount since they are not exactly a multi-billion-USD/GBP behemoth, but realistically it should not be make-or-break either way this goes.

I don't think it will be a make or break scenario myself, but whatever the end result, it's going to have some effect on us players one way or another. Whether that effect is large or small has yet to be seen.