Thread for Gamers IX: God Howard Anniversary Edition

[Andsed]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

Oh fuck off. You should not be able to patent gameplay mechanics. The nemesis system made the Shadow of Mordor series so fun and it sucks so hard to see it taken away by corporate greed.

[Bralia]

Huh. He's an NPC? I've played the entire multiple times over and I don't remember him at all.

You get him and Miranda like at the start of the game, they are your initial team mates.

I guess I'm really not emphasizing enough just how much I view Jacob as being the most boring and forgettable characters of ALL TIME, huh? Mass Effect 3 made me actively hate him. Dude has a line where he tries to tell Shepard who they are as a person, as if the fucker knows me better than myself. Fuck 'im.

[Imperial isa]

Wait no MP for ME3 how I am meant earn more points toward my War Asset ?

[Bralia]

Let nobody ever be baited by my feigned ignorance of Mass Effect ever again, btw. The original series is my one pride in gaming, those are the games that I am the best at. I don't play at anything less than its Insanity difficulty. And in spite of not having played for years, I still know the games so well that Mass Effect 1 side quest planet maps are still etched in my brain. I know where all the thresher maws are at and I challenge them all on foot.

*head sinks so far up my own ass, I can see my stomach:*

I could probably write guides if I wanted to.

[The Huskar Social Union]

Hey Bralia, you ever heard of Mass Effect? Dont know if you would like it though

Wait no MP for ME3 how I am meant earn more points toward my War Asset ?

Oh shit maybe we can get them all in single player! What a crazy idea

[Atheris]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

Fuck off, WB.

[Ameriganastan]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

Oh fuck off. You should not be able to patent gameplay mechanics. The nemesis system made the Shadow of Mordor series so fun and it sucks so hard to see it taken away by corporate greed.

I mean, is it that odd? Game engines are patented, so why not game mechanics your studio came up with?

[The first Galactic Republic]

About Jacob, i googled him earlier because ive not played Mass Effect in a few years and wanted to make sure i got his name right, and i came across a reddit discussion thread about him being an unlikable character.

And one of the points someone brought up is that he is a stereotype of a black american male in the sense that he:

Has an absent father and can cheat on femshep (If you romance him as a femshep in ME2) by getting another woman pregnant between ME2 and ME3. (Or is it cheating? I cant remember what happens with your romances in the main trilogy, especially between games and if they would still technically be a couple or not at that point)

But i can see why that would be... problematic.

That’s taking it a little far. Jacob’s father is absent because he was stranded, not because he just dipped, and being a military brat isn’t exactly a common Black stereotype.

Also, did Jacob know Shepard was alive after the events of Arrival? If you only play the base game, Shepard is just brought in for questioning in regards to Cerberus, but Arrival changes it to Shepard blowing up a mass relay in a Batarian system. If Jacob wasn’t in the know, he might have thought Shepard dead. Jacob’s cheating is hardly stereotypical anyway because of the circumstances and since he’s starting a new family and not just sleeping around.

Jacob’s not the most interesting character, but I don’t see why people actively despise him.

[The Huskar Social Union]

About Jacob, i googled him earlier because ive not played Mass Effect in a few years and wanted to make sure i got his name right, and i came across a reddit discussion thread about him being an unlikable character.

And one of the points someone brought up is that he is a stereotype of a black american male in the sense that he:

Has an absent father and can cheat on femshep (If you romance him as a femshep in ME2) by getting another woman pregnant between ME2 and ME3. (Or is it cheating? I cant remember what happens with your romances in the main trilogy, especially between games and if they would still technically be a couple or not at that point)

But i can see why that would be... problematic.

That’s taking it a little far. Jacob’s father is absent because he was stranded, not because he just dipped, and being a military brat isn’t exactly a common Black stereotype.

Also, did Jacob know Shepard was alive after the events of Arrival? If you only play the base game, Shepard is just brought in for questioning in regards to Cerberus, but Arrival changes it to Shepard blowing up a mass relay in a Batarian system. If Jacob wasn’t in the know, he might have thought Shepard dead. Jacob’s cheating is hardly stereotypical anyway because of the circumstances and since he’s starting a new family and not just sleeping around.

Jacob’s not the most interesting character, but I don’t see why people actively despise him.

Yeah i dont think he is that bad either, he just... wasnt that interesting compared to some of the others.

Also i completely forgot about that dlc, so yeah i dont know actually.

[Imperial isa]

Shit i never got around to playing Arrival after having download it.

[Ifreann]

Oh fuck off. You should not be able to patent gameplay mechanics. The nemesis system made the Shadow of Mordor series so fun and it sucks so hard to see it taken away by corporate greed.

I mean, is it that odd? Game engines are patented, so why not game mechanics your studio came up with?

It's not odd at all. It is real shit, though.

[Corrian]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

I mean yeah, that's ridiculous, but it seems like nobody was taking advantage of that system anyway. I've been disappointed in that alone.

[Heloin]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

I mean yeah, that's ridiculous, but it seems like nobody was taking advantage of that system anyway. I've been disappointed in that alone.

Even though they were only just granted the patent the fact they had filed a patent request was common knowledge in the industry and would leave anyone who tried to use it without permission liable to be sued for infringement of their patent had it been granted. Since it has been granted anyone who had used it would be sued.

[Holy Tedalonia]

I mean, is it that odd? Game engines are patented, so why not game mechanics your studio came up with?

It's not odd at all. It is real shit, though.

Because companies should allow blatant copying of the systems they make. I mean its the only natural response to any software with a modicum of value. I'd do it if it was my decision.

[The New California Republic]

A very good article on disability access to video games.

[Immoren]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

if i ever try to legally protect a gameplay mechanic i hope i am executed via the persian boats!!!

has to be favorite response.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Warner Brothers has patented the Nemesis system from Shadow of Mordor

Boo, i really would have liked to see other games do this, its a really cool system.

if i ever try to legally protect a gameplay mechanic i hope i am executed via the persian boats!!!

has to be favorite response.

Well now I’m wondering if the SPECIAL system from Fallout is copyrighted or not.

The wiki doesn’t say it is but does mention that Interplay had to change to it after access to a previous system developed by other people was lost in a split up.

[Heloin]

has to be favorite response.

Well now I’m wondering if the SPECIAL system from Fallout is copyrighted or not.

The wiki doesn’t say it is but does mention that Interplay had to change to it after access to a previous system developed by other people was lost in a split up.

Copyrights and patents are wildly different beasts. The original fallout intended to use GURPS, but GURPS wouldn’t allow Interplay to use their system(something about fallout being too dark). They where forced to create SPECIAL which is GURPS in all but name really. Ignoring RPG like systems in place before it for this hypothetical, if GURPS was patented then Interplay could have likely been sued and would almost certainly have lost that lawsuit.

[Ifreann]

It's not odd at all. It is real shit, though.

Because companies should allow blatant copying of the systems they make.

Companies shouldn't have any say in the matter, but yes, it would be far better if they did allow that. Just look at the situation we're in now. No developer will dare use anything like the Nemesis system for fear of being destroyed by lawsuits. WB might make another game using it, but probably not, and even if they do it'll probably just be another Shadow of Whatever game, and that series does not need another entry. There is a vast scope for innovation and refinement of this feature, innumerable potential games making use of it, that we are now not going to get until the patent expires.

I mean its the only natural response to any software with a modicum of value. I'd do it if it was my decision.

Natural it might be, but it's a response that leaves us all worse off.

[Holy Tedalonia]

Because companies should allow blatant copying of the systems they make.

Companies shouldn't have any say in the matter, but yes, it would be far better if they did allow that. Just look at the situation we're in now. No developer will dare use anything like the Nemesis system for fear of being destroyed by lawsuits. WB might make another game using it, but probably not, and even if they do it'll probably just be another Shadow of Whatever game, and that series does not need another entry. There is a vast scope for innovation and refinement of this feature, innumerable potential games making use of it, that we are now not going to get until the patent expires.

Seems to me that it would not have happened, even if it was patented. I remember the time when id software patented its entire engine and sold the technology as a means of making a profit. In fact, a good chunk Warner Brothers can likely do the same, if buyers come up offering. Besides just because there's a patent doesn't mean there can't be innovation. The whole point of the patent system is to prevent copycatting, and if your product/system is different enough, you can patent it yourself. This is probably the biggest none issues, I've seen in gaming for awhile.

Its a common thing that happens not only in the game industry, but other software industries, its a minor issue at most, and so long as someone can prove that their nemesis-like system is a bigger and better or atleast different enough not to draw the ire of Warner Brothers its not an issue for any developer.

[The first Galactic Republic]

Well now I’m wondering if the SPECIAL system from Fallout is copyrighted or not.

The wiki doesn’t say it is but does mention that Interplay had to change to it after access to a previous system developed by other people was lost in a split up.

Copyrights and patents are wildly different beasts. The original fallout intended to use GURPS, but GURPS wouldn’t allow Interplay to use their system(something about fallout being too dark). They where forced to create SPECIAL which is GURPS in all but name really. Ignoring RPG like systems in place before it for this hypothetical, if GURPS was patented then Interplay could have likely been sued and would almost certainly have lost that lawsuit.

Neat, thanks for the clarification. I always liked learning about Interplay and the history of Fallout.

[The New California Republic]

Well now I’m wondering if the SPECIAL system from Fallout is copyrighted or not.

The wiki doesn’t say it is but does mention that Interplay had to change to it after access to a previous system developed by other people was lost in a split up.

Copyrights and patents are wildly different beasts. The original fallout intended to use GURPS, but GURPS wouldn’t allow Interplay to use their system(something about fallout being too dark). They where forced to create SPECIAL which is GURPS in all but name really. Ignoring RPG like systems in place before it for this hypothetical, if GURPS was patented then Interplay could have likely been sued and would almost certainly have lost that lawsuit.

It allowed them to go with the whole "You're SPECIAL!" thing as well. "You're GURPS!" doesn't really have the same ring to it.

[Ifreann]

Companies shouldn't have any say in the matter, but yes, it would be far better if they did allow that. Just look at the situation we're in now. No developer will dare use anything like the Nemesis system for fear of being destroyed by lawsuits. WB might make another game using it, but probably not, and even if they do it'll probably just be another Shadow of Whatever game, and that series does not need another entry. There is a vast scope for innovation and refinement of this feature, innumerable potential games making use of it, that we are now not going to get until the patent expires.

Seems to me that it would not have happened, even if it was patented. I remember the time when id software patented its entire engine and sold the technology as a means of making a profit. In fact, a good chunk Warner Brothers can likely do the same, if buyers come up offering.

There is a difference between copyrighting a game engine and patenting a game mechanic. The equivalent would be if ID Software patented the concept of first person perspective video games, and thereafter no one was allowed to make a first person game without their permission until that patent expired.

Besides just because there's a patent doesn't mean there can't be innovation. The whole point of the patent system is to prevent copycatting, and if your product/system is different enough, you can patent it yourself. This is probably the biggest none issues, I've seen in gaming for awhile.

The point of the patent system is to give an inventor first dibs at profiting from their invention, thus encouraging investment in innovation, but that dibs being only temporary, so that further innovation isn't discouraged. But that's obviously not how it works any more. WB have made about as much money as they're likely to make from the Shadow games. They have reaped all the rewards from their new idea that they could. Their dibs should be well and truly up, but no, it's going to last for twenty years starting now. Twenty years! That is aeons in videosgame development. GTA3 came out twenty years ago, could you imagine if Rockstar had secured a patent on third person open world games? No other devs could have even tried new variations on the idea until this year. The Shadow series certainly wouldn't exist.

Its a common thing that happens not only in the game industry, but other software industries, its a minor issue at most, and so long as someone can prove that their nemesis-like system is a bigger and better or at least different enough not to draw the ire of Warner Brothers its not an issue for any developer.

It's a minor issue to take on a media giant like Warner Brothers in court. Just a trivial little thing that any small dev team can handily manage.

[Holy Tedalonia]

Seems to me that it would not have happened, even if it was patented. I remember the time when id software patented its entire engine and sold the technology as a means of making a profit. In fact, a good chunk Warner Brothers can likely do the same, if buyers come up offering.

There is a difference between copyrighting a game engine and patenting a game mechanic. The equivalent would be if ID Software patented the concept of first person perspective video games, and thereafter no one was allowed to make a first person game without their permission until that patent expired.

You know you can license right? Just because a patent exists, doesn't mean that door is locked for a set years. Besides why shouldn't a game company pay the original creators of the system? Id's known for selling licenses of its patented engines and code.

Besides just because there's a patent doesn't mean there can't be innovation. The whole point of the patent system is to prevent copycatting, and if your product/system is different enough, you can patent it yourself. This is probably the biggest none issues, I've seen in gaming for awhile.

The point of the patent system is to give an inventor first dibs at profiting from their invention, thus encouraging investment in innovation, but that dibs being only temporary, so that further innovation isn't discouraged. But that's obviously not how it works any more.

Cry me a river, a patent only defends the patented system. If you can prove that the product is different enough, or innovative enough, not to be considered a copycat. You can make that system and sell it, even patent it yourself! This is how developers get around patents all the time.

WB have made about as much money as they're likely to make from the Shadow games. They have reaped all the rewards from their new idea that they could. Their dibs should be well and truly up, but no, it's going to last for twenty years starting now. Twenty years! That is aeons in videosgame development. GTA3 came out twenty years ago, could you imagine if Rockstar had secured a patent on third person open world games? No other devs could have even tried new variations on the idea until this year. The Shadow series certainly wouldn't exist.

First off, they can profit by selling the Nemesis system, so they can make more bank and reap even more rewards from the idea. As for GTA3, a bad example considering GTA3 didn't make the open world genre. You can't patent already common game mechanic features. There's a reason why Nintendo regrets not patenting jumping.

Its a common thing that happens not only in the game industry, but other software industries, its a minor issue at most, and so long as someone can prove that their nemesis-like system is a bigger and better or at least different enough not to draw the ire of Warner Brothers its not an issue for any developer.

It's a minor issue to take on a media giant like Warner Brothers in court. Just a trivial little thing that any small dev team can handily manage.

Patent lawsuits in the game industry are exceedingly rare, and are almost always settled outside of court. This is mainly due to the court being relatively unpredictable in its conclusions. The last lawsuit I heard over patented code was in regards to Fallout Shelter, which was never really settled in court due to the software being pulled down before things started brewing.

[Immoren]

Copyrights and patents are wildly different beasts. The original fallout intended to use GURPS, but GURPS wouldn’t allow Interplay to use their system(something about fallout being too dark). They where forced to create SPECIAL which is GURPS in all but name really. Ignoring RPG like systems in place before it for this hypothetical, if GURPS was patented then Interplay could have likely been sued and would almost certainly have lost that lawsuit.

It allowed them to go with the whole "You're SPECIAL!" thing as well. "You're GURPS!" doesn't really have the same ring to it.

I think Bethesda Fallout was first where I saw that...
...unless I'm getting senile with age...