…and desisted, while they were at it
At least some part of the My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fandom is taking one on the chin today. The group of fans working together to produce a fighting game based on the plucky ponies has been struck by a cease and desist order from Hasbro, owners of the My Little Pony property.
The news comes by way of the developers website, which has been replaced with a message explaining the situation to fans expecting to get their fix of pony pugilism. It states that the group has attempted to seek permission from Hasbro but, having yet to receive a response from their PR and legal departments (granting them the rights so desperately needed to make the dream of pony-on-pony combat action a reality), the team seems to have little choice but to comply with the order.
I think it’s obvious that I think a fighting game centered around a world and characters intended to promote concepts of unity and cooperation is a brilliant idea, but either Hasbro lacks creative vision or this cease and desist order is a clear signal that they already have something along these lines in production.
Kidding aside, I hope that the folks making their game aren’t too hurt by the move. Obviously, Hasbro needs to defend its properties and, if we’re being totally honest here, the very premise of this game runs counter to what they’re trying to engender and it makes complete sense that they would swoop in and shut it down. It’s just a shame that it took them 18 months to do so, giving the group the chance to sink as much time into it as possible before it all being flushed away.
Here’s to those guys, and to all the people attempting to make something when the man is keeping you down. Even if you’re trying to make a game I can’t comprehend and would never play voluntarily, I’m glad you’re trying all the same.
