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I'm glad I'm not the only one worried about the precedent this could set... I've spent the last week or so getting shouted at by fans for not being thrilled someone's going after Zynga...
Big business, big money, it's not surprising to see more lawsuits about this stuff. I mean, look at the mobile market. It's still depressing of course, but hardly surprising.
Jim you have just perfectly summed up my feelings on this whole fiasco.
The only logical solution is to put Zynga and EA on desert island to fight this out to the death..... then we launch that island into the sun. Its the only way to be sure ......
The only logical solution is to put Zynga and EA on desert island to fight this out to the death..... then we launch that island into the sun. Its the only way to be sure ......
And it's a very important point to make. We can enjoy this little cockfight all we want, until the rest of the guys start thinking that cockfights solve everything, and they start throwing OUR cocks into the ring.
And... wait...
And... wait...
I hope this doesn't set some weird legal precedent where anyone can sue anyone for things like the percentage of how big the character heads are compared to their bodies. Zynga owns the 200%-300% range, EA owns the 100%-200% range...
not that i'm particularly rooting for one side or the other, but i'm glad zynga pointed out the irony of EA bringing this lawsuit so soon after it's "more city less ville" ad campaign.
"We are committed to creating the most fun, innovative, social and engaging games in every major genre that our players enjoy,"
This will probably be the funniest thing I'll read today.
This will probably be the funniest thing I'll read today.
There's some pretty damning evidence against Zynga in the case.
They used an IDENTICAL color palette to Sim City Social for character creation. In RGB there's 16 million colors. The odds of Zynga using the EXACT same skin tones are astronomically low. Way lower than winning the lottery.
They used an IDENTICAL color palette to Sim City Social for character creation. In RGB there's 16 million colors. The odds of Zynga using the EXACT same skin tones are astronomically low. Way lower than winning the lottery.
This whole fight's gonna get messy. However, I'm not worried with how the concept of suing-for-gameplay is going to pan out, given that it didn't really affect the game industry when then-gaming giant Nintendo successfully sued "The Great Giana Sisters" for being a blatant Super Mario Bros. rip-off that featured the same game mechanics along with VERY similar graphics (green hills, pipes, blue skies, bricks to jump up and smash, etc.). It didn't stop platformers with similar hop-and-bop mechanics from being made, but it DID stop anyone from copying the VERY distinct Mario aesthetic. I liken gameplay to plotlines in various literature and media.
Basically, two stories can have the same plotline, same flow of events, similar messaging, similar characters, and so on. Sure, one might be called a rip-off or "inspired," but no one in recent memory has ever sued all those vampire love stories that are similar in nature to Twilight. It's when you get two similar stories from two different authors that have the exact same characters and locations and names AND (most importantly) are in a media form that's trying to sell to consumers...that's when people get sued for copyright infringement and stolen assets.
Gameplay is no different. For example, you can get games that play LIKE Mario games, feature elements of jumping on enemies and collecting power-ups and so on, but you cannot LOOK like a Mario game and feature an almost identical design aesthetic and trademarked imagery.
Like I said though, this fight between Zynga and EA might get messy. But EA cannot sue for gameplay without it opening up a huge can of worms for every form of consumer media...which is why, I think, it won't happen.
Basically, two stories can have the same plotline, same flow of events, similar messaging, similar characters, and so on. Sure, one might be called a rip-off or "inspired," but no one in recent memory has ever sued all those vampire love stories that are similar in nature to Twilight. It's when you get two similar stories from two different authors that have the exact same characters and locations and names AND (most importantly) are in a media form that's trying to sell to consumers...that's when people get sued for copyright infringement and stolen assets.
Gameplay is no different. For example, you can get games that play LIKE Mario games, feature elements of jumping on enemies and collecting power-ups and so on, but you cannot LOOK like a Mario game and feature an almost identical design aesthetic and trademarked imagery.
Like I said though, this fight between Zynga and EA might get messy. But EA cannot sue for gameplay without it opening up a huge can of worms for every form of consumer media...which is why, I think, it won't happen.
"innovate", "innovation", and "innovative" is thrown around too casually in this industry. Those words have become more casual than Call of Duty.
Two greedy and without-morals companies sueing each other potentially setting dangerous precedents in an already troubled industry. Great news. EA is determined to dominate the industry or kill it.
"And then the devilish leviathan battled the smaller evil, like two dogs they shredded each other apart, all to the amusement of the onlookers. And burn they shall both for their stock shall both be split in twain." -John 5:99
A little funny this story coming right after the PSASBR story. Where are the people vehemently defending Zynga saying "IF CITYVILLE IS A RIPOFF OF SIMS SOCIAL THEN I GUESS BIOSHOCK IS A RIPOFF OF CALL OF DUTY BECAUSE BIOSHOCK AND CALL OF DUTY BOTH HAVE SHOOTING"
Eh not really, ive played both and the zynga game is pretty diffrent in the key areas.
Both have you build a city on a grid yes... but the important bits, the game mechanics are diffrent.
Both have you build a city on a grid yes... but the important bits, the game mechanics are diffrent.
I have to agree with Ghalheart on this one (very well written to you, sir or ma'am). I certainly hope EA socks it to Zynga, especially now since reading that quote "We are committed to creating the most fun, innovative, social and engaging games in every major genre that our players enjoy".
That's a pretty effed thing for a copycat to say. Makes me want to laugh and spew chunks at the same time. While I don't particularly care for EA, I loathe anything Zynga. So, I root for EA.
That's a pretty effed thing for a copycat to say. Makes me want to laugh and spew chunks at the same time. While I don't particularly care for EA, I loathe anything Zynga. So, I root for EA.
The argument that EA copied Zynga's game is stupid expecially when Zynga's game is based of of EA's game SimCity.
Meanwhile, developers like Gameloft or whoever are sitting in the bushes wringing their hands and giggling like children.
Either way, this sticks of a "pick the lesser of two evils" situation. Problems is, both sides are pretty fucking evil.
Also, Dolly Parton and Hasbro should sue Zynga too.. Cause thats obviously Dolly from her movies "9 to 5" and the dude on the right is obviously Roadblock.. Or a rescue hero.. or something.
Either way, this sticks of a "pick the lesser of two evils" situation. Problems is, both sides are pretty fucking evil.
Also, Dolly Parton and Hasbro should sue Zynga too.. Cause thats obviously Dolly from her movies "9 to 5" and the dude on the right is obviously Roadblock.. Or a rescue hero.. or something.
It won't be the art assets that will decide this, it will be the emails that get subpoena'd as evidence. If they've been sending emails that confirm the copying, then it's all over.
"EA has earned some kudos from gamers after picking on a more hated enemy"
Not from me they didnt. Being a douchebag towards an even bigger douchebag does not make you less of a douchebag for doing so. Its definitely entertaining though.
Not from me they didnt. Being a douchebag towards an even bigger douchebag does not make you less of a douchebag for doing so. Its definitely entertaining though.
Oh man, this is HILARIOUS. At this point, I can't even bring myself to care about what may happen to the industry. I hate both these companies and now they're trying to kill each other. I can't wait till they each send out their private Evil Ninja Squads after each other. THAT will be a sight!
If there is a company I dislike more than EA it is Zynga. Having EA and Zynga trade blows? Heaven on a grilled onion bun. Delicious.
I'm glad that someone is putting the boot in on Zynga - even if it's EA.
Predictably this is going to turn into a "NO U!" exchange.
Predictably this is going to turn into a "NO U!" exchange.
If Zynga win, then they'll go on making rubbish social games for Facebook that I really won't care about, or go bankrupt.
If EA win, then they'll use the awesome legal precedent set to crush and frighten developers in the actual, or hardcore gaming sphere.
If EA win, then they'll use the awesome legal precedent set to crush and frighten developers in the actual, or hardcore gaming sphere.
When 2 of the gaming industries biggest scumbags go at it I think in the end we may all when. Whoever loses will probably lose big, so I see it as a win win
I gotta root for Zygna 'cause I don't play browser games. Can't pass up the opportunity to see EA put in their place
EA blaming someone for copying ideas.... ahahahahahahah!
no wait, gotta do it in caps:
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH XD
no wait, gotta do it in caps:
AHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH XD
HAHAHA! Oh god, so apparently I'm not the only one who noticed the hypocrisy. Is it wrong of me to hope that Zynga wins, if only for EA to get a nice ass-kicking?
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