I don't see where this is any different than a fan-created films. George Lucas - owner of arguably THE most valuable piece of IP in the WORLD - actively encourages people to take the universe he created and run wild with it. Joss Whedon's works are also heavily imitated. Neither of these people issue cease and desist letters. Even Paramount, owners of the Star Trek franchise and notoriously stingy over their IP rights, turns a blind eye to even the most professional-looking productions.
Why? Because they understand that true fans create dazzling works of 'art' and that those who are prone to view/participate in them realize that it's not the real thing, no matter how professional or genuine it may seem to them.
"Red vs Blue", anyone?
The good folks at Bungie have crafted a wonderful universe and have demonstrated their wanting of a tight plotline and theme to the Halo universe, both in preparation to the next game and the motion picture. I don't blame them. However, as long as imitators and flatterers (of whatever medium) clearly mark their product as unofficial and not-for-profit, then they should be allowed to proceed.
I think this isn't a Microsoft issue so much as it's a Bungie issue. Their IP is being used on an EA engine. I think THAT's why they don't the whole thing. If this were a situation similar to Valve's CounterStrike origins, Bungie would've gladly brought in the developers to finish the work in-house. Unfortunately, with EA's Generals engine underneath, this work does nothing to help them make money (if anything, it helps EA sell copies of Generals!) This mod would only be a (free) competitor to any RTS they may try to develop in the future.
MS shuts down Halogen mod ... why now?
Sep 14th 2006 12:14PM (Joystiq)Why? Because they understand that true fans create dazzling works of 'art' and that those who are prone to view/participate in them realize that it's not the real thing, no matter how professional or genuine it may seem to them.
"Red vs Blue", anyone?
The good folks at Bungie have crafted a wonderful universe and have demonstrated their wanting of a tight plotline and theme to the Halo universe, both in preparation to the next game and the motion picture. I don't blame them. However, as long as imitators and flatterers (of whatever medium) clearly mark their product as unofficial and not-for-profit, then they should be allowed to proceed.
I think this isn't a Microsoft issue so much as it's a Bungie issue. Their IP is being used on an EA engine. I think THAT's why they don't the whole thing. If this were a situation similar to Valve's CounterStrike origins, Bungie would've gladly brought in the developers to finish the work in-house. Unfortunately, with EA's Generals engine underneath, this work does nothing to help them make money (if anything, it helps EA sell copies of Generals!) This mod would only be a (free) competitor to any RTS they may try to develop in the future.