Well, as most have probably heard, Microsoft has come out with a 'new' Real Time Strategy game called Halo: Wars, a game to be made for the X-Box 360. I quote 'new', because it is not a new idea, nor shall all the credit go to those people who work in Microsoft.
A Modification for the game C&C Generals, called Halogen, was a mod in the works for approximatly 3 years, where people from the community pitched in numerous hours of work and labour for the good of the community, and a playable release was soon to come for those of us desperate to download it. Microsoft came in close to before the release and forced the memebers of Derelict Studios to close down Halogen and halt all progress on the game, and close down the site.
Why is Halogen so important in this matter Well, C&C Generals is a Real Time Strategy game (RTS), and the mod was developed with the idea of using Halo-like units, structures, ect. and putting them into a playable RTS format. (Sound simmilar to Halo: Wars coming out hmm )
Microsoft has commited what is know to be 'Foxing a Game', closing it down, then using the work of the community (who works for free), developing a game very simmilar in most aspects, and then modifying it slightly to make as use in a product from Microsoft, the making profit from the hard work and ideas from those whom had just been working on it for free.
So, I know for a fact that Microsoft wouldnt have the balls to put Derelict Stuidos ANYWHERE in the credits for the final game (it would be appreciated and well recieved if they put in 'Ideas from the members of Derelict Studios' in readable wording somewhere in the credits), and understandably, If you could make a profit off of someone else's work, and pay as little as you could and get away with it, I can see them wanting to do it.
My Point is, when you buy this game, give Credit to the hard workers of Derelict Studios, and take the time to thank those in the community for their time and effort, as they have done more work then you think in the production of this 'Halo: Wars', which is really just a copy of 'Halogen'.
Link to Derelict Studios: www.DerelictStudios.net
Link to where you can thank the modding Community for Halogen, as well as read what Derelict Studios had to say: http://www.derelictstudios.net/forums/index.php showtopic=14163&st=0
Thank you for your time,
DarkFire2
Microsoft and its 'new' Halo: Wars RTS Game, and Derelict Studios
Katherine
It seems to me like a fairly straight-forward issue. What, other than their source code, does the mod team believe they're creating that qualifies as "original" They don't own the rights to C&C, they don't own the rights to Halo, and they certainly can't claim that they invented the idea of RTS games. So what's been stolen from them
Maxim Michtchenko
Yes, it sure does sound similar. And when you consider that Microsoft owns the rights to those trademarked entities, that sounds perfectly reasonable. I'm not saying it's morally defensible, but it's certainly a legal move.
I don't work for Microsoft or have any connection with them beyond the fact that I post on these forums. That's true for most of us here, as far as I know. Attacking any of us personally doesn't really accomplish much.
Rosh K Mathews
me nor any of my freinds knew about it (only found out once it was shutdown) and although it would have been sooooooo cool for it to come out (as i love halo and love playing C&C generals) but i am glad that they did shut it down so we get the real thing soon.
which will be so many times better.
CKS
shibin
The community wasted 2 years more than they had to if what you said is true.
Simone1
Suresh S
I Dont Want To Enter In This Discussion.
But Dont Forget That Microsoft Is Always The Best
balusmca
veXed
S10n
Tw34km3: Please keep the language civil here--these forums are for thoughtful, mature discussion.
Thanks,
John.Doe
so the halogen mod is the one that was *foxing the game*
Kamii47
I myself happen to agree with the Halogen team here, while MS does have the "legal" rights to fox the game, i have been following this mod since it first appeared, might not have been active in any forums about it, but i have been following it for a long long time, and was going to pick up generals just to play it, since i hate C&C Generals as it is not a true C&C but the team worked VERY hard on this and to have MS come in just b/c NOW the want to release info and the game idea out, since they say theyve been working on it for 2 years or w/e, is just totally wrong, if theyve been working or or toying with the Halo Wars idea, they should have sent some info to the Halogen team long before this, so maybe many years of hard,dedicated work wouldnt have been a waste. MS needs to get its power hungery head out of it buttocks for 5 seconds and relize this mod is not just a game, but is ORIGINAL work, the halo trademark of the mod maybe not, but the idea behind it with the story-line was, they werent makeing money off this a in any way, and i too(wasnt part of the Halogen team) but would like to see some sort of credits to the team of Halogen.
Flame me all you want, but to have MS do this, after Halogen was being worked on for a couple years, and to have MS say its been a game IDEA for the same amount of time or longer and to shut it down is f*cked beyond all reason.
My heart goes out to the Halogen team, great work you guys, im sorry it had to end like this.
EA512
I don't mean to sound like I'm accusing you of anything, but do you have any evidence of this I mean, other than sharing the same universe, I doubt Microsoft's game will have many connections to Halogen.
anantvemuri