Activision shuts down The Silver Lining - UPDATE: Episode 1 of TSL has been released!

Enchantermon on 2/3/2010 at 17:28

Quote Posted by gunsmoke

Why don't they just do like the Dark Mod? Just remove any true references to King's Quest and make it a 'generic'/new ip game that is extremely similar, but not a breach of contract?

It's true that they could, but the devs have stated several times on the forums that it would be a massive undertaking involving a lot of re-recording of dialogue, script re-writing, texture changes and a whole bunch of other crap. The game was set to take place mostly in lands that had already featured in other King's Quest games, so it's possible that a bunch of the settings would have to be changed as well.

Aerothorn on 2/3/2010 at 18:00

As noted, this doesn't even make sense for Activision from a purely self-interested point of view - there is no threat to IP confusion and the whole "loosening restrictions" business only really applies to trademarks anyway. The only logic I've been able to find is that, if The Silver Lining totally sucked, it would somehow devalue the brand.

But mostly it just seems like Activision's lawyers had free time on their hands. I would refuse to support Activision if I ever bought any of their games in the first place.

Matthew on 2/3/2010 at 22:34

I've never been one for letter writing campaigns, but I must confess that I sent one to Activision to express my disgust at their actions.

Ostriig on 2/3/2010 at 22:47

Unfortunately, I think you're wasting your time - between having Guitar Hero and Blizzard's IPs, old Bobby probably couldn't care less if Michael fucking Atkinson, the divine spotlight finally shining revelation on him, turned around to tell him what a douche move this was.

Matthew on 3/3/2010 at 11:24

Oh probably, but I felt it was the right thing to do, as futile as I know it will be.

Edit: though as I recall, I think that Activision aren't making quite the same money off Guitar Hero as they imagined they would.

icemann on 4/3/2010 at 02:02

They`d be making enough money bins worth of money from WoW alone that they`d care little

This worries me alot on what direction Blizzard games will go with this new attitude in place. Blizzard up to present day has yet to release a single shit game. Not one. I wonder for how long that will continue.

june gloom on 4/3/2010 at 04:18

The only Blizzard game worth playing is Diablo 1.

And Lost Vikings I guess.

Renzatic on 4/3/2010 at 06:48

And Blackthorne, if you want to go with all the early Blizzard games.

Andarthiel on 4/3/2010 at 09:52

Quote Posted by Renzatic

And Blackthorne, if you want to go with all the early Blizzard games.

Early Blizzard was awesome, made some of the best games but now not so much.........:tsktsk:

Matthew on 4/3/2010 at 12:14

Quote Posted by icemann

They`d be making enough money bins worth of money from WoW alone that they`d care little

Yes, according to their latest SEC filing it makes up a 'substantial' portion of their income. CoD, WoW and Guitar Hero make up 68% of ActiBlizz's total revenue.