I'm not denying that Atari has done sketchy things in the past (most video game companies have). I just don't think the successful copyright lawsuit was one of them. From the source I posted earlier: "Atari sued Philips for copyright infringement, arguing that Munchkin copied Pac-Man with its substantial similarities as evidence. In Atari, Inc. v. North American Philips Consumer Electronics Corp., the court noted twenty-two similarities, but also nine differences:[2][3]" Apparently, the similarities outweighed the differences enough to warrant the verdict to be in favor of Atari and Pac-Man. I agree with you that courts can get things wrong, but I feel like this particular "scummy" thing that Atari did wasn't really scummy.
Also, keep in mind that this was the very beginning of copyright law being used in regards to computer software / gaming, so I'm not at all surprised that it made sense to focus primarily on defending from the more popular copiers as opposed to trying to spend money everywhere, defending from everyone (even the most inconsequential rip-offs).
On March 13 2024 19:24 DarkPlasmaBall wrote: Also, keep in mind that this was the very beginning of copyright law being used in regards to computer software / gaming, so I'm not at all surprised that it made sense to focus primarily on defending from the more popular copiers as opposed to trying to spend money everywhere, defending from everyone (even the most inconsequential rip-offs).
I agree to disagree with you on this matter
you keep constantly referring to it as a "copy". huh? by what standard?
What makes you think KC Munchkin was popular? O2 was the #3 console of the 1st generation. Mouse Trap made way way more money than KC Munchkin. Mouse Trap was Pacman with different sprites. Its clear you did not play any of these games. You're just googling. Atari did not want an open maze game SAND BOX.
Lock 'n' Chase and Lady Bug made way way more money than KC Munchkin. Again, you're just googling. Atari could not litigate against an entire genre of games where some big object consumes a tiny object on the screen.
Ok, onto Atari going after the maker of Demon Attack...
Atari also went after Imagic for making Demon Attack. Atari's claim was that Demon Attack was too similar to Atari Phoenix. Atari did not create Phoenix from scratch. They owned the home license to it. Atari's game was a pale imitation of the arcade game Phoenix.
It was just another bullshit lawsuit. Atari went after everybody. Spend some time playing Demon Attack and some time playing Phoenix. Ya, they're both gallery shooters.. that's about it. They are different games. The problem is.. Demon Attack .... was really fucking good. That is why Atari wanted to kill it. Imagic also had limited legal resources. So Imagic Demon Attack was a prime candidate for a legal attack by Atari.
Demon Attack went on to become Imagic's best selling game.
Atari had the exclusive rights to produce Phoenix for home consoles and filed suit against the company Imagic, believing that the Intellivision version of Demon Attack was too derivative of Phoenix.[30][22] A settlement was reached in January 1983, with Imagic still being allowed to release Demon Attack.[30] When asked about the legal issues between Atari and Imagic related for Demon Attack, Fulop responded that he "kept out of a lot of that. It was basically a silly hustling and political thing. I think I went to one deposition, that was it [...] No one really cared too much about it."[16] Demon Attack went on to became the best selling Imagic game.
Atari was a scummy company. There are many more examples of Atari trying to kill really good games.
It has a happy ending though. Atari's best people left and Atari got crushed.
So the guy that made Missile Command for the Atari 2600 and SPACE INVADERS for the Atari 400 got a turkey dinner for a Christmas bonus. LOL
These included ports of Night Driver and Missile Command for the Atari 2600 and Space Invaders for the Atari 400/800 home computer line.[9] He stated he expected a strong Christmas bonus from Atari, based on how well his games had done commercially, but only received a voucher for a free turkey dinner.
Then when he leaves and makes Demon Attack they go after him. What a bunch of scum buckets.
The more I learn about the dawn of the video game industry.. the more hilarious it gets.
A youtuber named "IntellivisionDude" sometimes plays Demon Attack. It is an impressive game for 1982.
So Atari can copy any one else's games any time they want. But if your game vaguely resembles any license they might hold... look out. Here come an army of Atari lawyers.
I could go into Atari trying to justify copying proprietary Nintendo stuff. Then fighting it in court forever as a stall tactic. Atari eventually lost the court case. So Atari is Copying Exidy's video games and copying Nintendo's video game code. Then, taking any one to court who makes a great game like Demon Attack or KC Munchkin. However, I think people get the idea. Atari was really scummy and lost a lot of court cases. They also lost the Activision v. Atari case as well. Atari spent more time in court than they did making video games.
After that serious topic its time for some comedy. Industry expert Matt Walsh is going to provide some deep insight into the world of video games.
Thanks for the laughs Matt!
I wanted the girl in the clown make up, after shooting Batman, to find "Uncle Ben" and kill him next. LOL.
Speaking of brutal executions what about Uncle Ben in Spiderman? there have been so many Spiderman cartoons, video games, movies, tv shows, etc etc. From this point forward we should dress Uncle Ben up in the Kenny McCormick orange hoodie and execute him at the beginning of every one of the 50 new Spiderman movies, video games, animated series coming out in the next 5 years.
From 6 to 16 I'd say Spiderman was by far my favourite super hero. Superman was too much of a Mary Sue. He could do anything. Anyhow, I'm tired and bored of Spiderman. Please, Sony, I beg you ... execute him next please.
I thought the Batman execution scene was very well done. 9/10. Unfortunately, good men die. Nothing wrong with introducing teenagers to that sad fact. This game was not intended for the 7 year olds playing Nintendo Switch games.
Western Studios and publishers need to stop doing personal video talks where they pretend they are the players friend. They are employees of a corporation selling a product. Acting like you are "the friend" of the player only makes players more volatile when things go bad. Bungie community managers were getting death threats. The fault lies with the individuals making the threats. However, when you put yourself out there in front of millions of people and present yourself as their "friend" you will always attract a few complete lunatics. The multibillion dollar corporation with many people aged 40+ in middle and upper management making 10s of millions of dollars know these dynamics.
BUngie trying to paint itself as an "innocent victim" of "horrible terrible violent threats" is BS. They set themselves up for it with the front line employees absorbing the fire.
Embracer bought Gearbox for $1.3 Billion and sold it for $0.45 Billion.
Relic made some great RTS games over the years. The creator of CoH2, their most successful game, is long gone.
For all those unhappy with Saudi money entering the video game industry... these events should give them a good laugh. A bunch of guys with a net worth of $100 million trusted a Saudi Oil Prince multibillionaire and got burned.