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Epic responds to theft accusations, unbans accuser from forum photo

Yesterday I wrote a story concerning Unreal Tournament III modder EpicJon who felt that Epic Games had stolen his map idea for the Xbox 360 version of the game. Because I felt like doing a little bit of that so-called "journalism," I actually decided to put out some Destructoid feelers for a response from Epic itself and got it.

Here's what Epic's Mark Rein had to say on the matter:

I got an email from "EpicJon" and responded to him. I also reinstated him in the forum and posted in that thread that stealing maps isn't our thing and we'll look into it.

It was probably a little over-zealous to ban the guy - especially when he's a mod maker for our game. When I went to reinstate him I checked found out that he posted 13 posts in under an hour accusing us of stealing his map without even waiting for us to respond so I think we're even on the over-zealousness factor :)

The restored thread is here, where Mark states that Epic isn't into theft. I definitely agree it was too much to ban him, and made Epic look guilty right off the bat. Still, with Epic making something of an official response and considering the maps look fairly different in the cold light of day, I expect this one will blow over soon enough.








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Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize. Likes PS2, iPod Touch, Silent Hill 2, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors 3 Meet the rest of the team



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22 comments | showing # 1 to 22
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Mabec's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:21
Mabec
Thanks for not living in america, Jim. We need dtoid-updates 24/7... infact, that's not enough.
The Johnggernaut's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:23
The Johnggernaut
25/8 would be good...
wardrox's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:28
wardrox
wtf... why go look for news? Wait until Kotaku posts it and plagiarise like you always do :-P
Mabec's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:29
Mabec
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF A KOTAKU-UPDATE, HUH?
I DIDN'T STINK SO... think so!
Arminas's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:39
Arminas
Is that picture from Armored Core 2? Looks familiar.
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:39
Rifter01
KOTAKU = FAIL. I just thought I'd express my disdain for heavy banning ... like ... Kotaku. Whoops, did I do that?
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 06:46
Kryptinite
That's insane that Epic let it get this far. It was probably some lazy level designer wanting to not work and steal someone's work so he didn't have to do it himself.
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 07:24
Rifter01
Give (original artists) credit for the credit thats due. Otherwise, FLAILL
Mabec's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 07:42
Mabec
FLAIL:
sbshootme's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 07:52
sbshootme
I would probably take him more seriously if he wasn't such a drama queen and going on about how they stole his snow and his icebergs.
I mean seriously, come on. It would be a completely different matter if the complete map layout and item placement was copied, but as far as i can tell he is basing this off of some video footage.
Origim's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 08:06
Origim
I knew from after reading yesterday's story that there would be more to this. Epic's forum mods shouldn't have banned him, but at the same time the guys is bitching way to much for me to feel sorry for him. I have this feeling no matter what epic decide's he won't be happy.
Rucksack's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 08:10
Rucksack
I agree that it really stings when you feel that you've been ripped off, but this guy really didn't handle this well.

I'm sure it's just a matter of like-minded people building a map in a similar setting. Though I also agree that Epic was way off base in banning him.
Pagster's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 08:14
Pagster
Omg - My games company, Massive games, has been developing a map exactly like that for our forthcomming title Notreal - knock out competition 3! , Ima gunna sue!
Narishma's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 09:24
Narishma
Hmm did you guys even read that thread? Epic didn't steal anything. Their map is a remake of an old UT99 map, they just set it in an arctic environment and has nothing else to do with this guy's map.
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 10:11
TrailerParkJesus
Everyone aboard the failboat. Choo! Choo!

At least they were decent enough to make up some bullshit to explain the ban. But yeah, I'd agree that the map is really nothing special.
gregweb's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 10:35
gregweb
OMG EPIC STOLE THE TOTALLY ORIGINAL CONCEPT OF A SHIP IN THE COLD! HOW DARE THEY! WE NEEDZ TO TOTALLY BOYCOTT THE EVIL EPIC!

Wasn't there a boat level in one of the earlier UT games? I could have sworn there was.
gregweb's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 10:36
gregweb
Ah, I just saw Narishma's comment. Agreed.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 10:47
king3vbo
I was gonna say, it looks like an old UT99 map
The6Freak's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 11:38
The6Freak
getting unbanned feels like christmas
DrNutt's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 12:26
DrNutt
I WANNA SEE THE GOD DAMN FAILBOAT!
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 13:09
MechaMonkey
I find it amusing that people are still fighting over whether or not it was stolen in that thread.

All aboard the Failboat.
mistic's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2008 15:24
mistic
We'll see what happens next... I've got it for PS3 anywayz :p
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