Technically that doesn't matter too much. As long as someone's operating within the IP, you can still sue them to protect your property. So they can do basically whatever they like, even if they take a PR hit.
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Apparently Bethesda ripped off a New Vegas mod for a Far Habor Quest in Fallout 4
- Thread starter Sou Da
- Start date
Technically that doesn't matter too much. As long as someone's operating within the IP, you can still sue them to protect your property. So they can do basically whatever they like, even if they take a PR hit.
This seems so stupid.
They could've shot the guy a mail, asked if it was okay, he'd have said YES and bragged about it, and have included a special thanks credit, and maybe even get some feelgood coverage from the media.
Instead, a shitstorm.
They could've shot the guy a mail, asked if it was okay, he'd have said YES and bragged about it, and have included a special thanks credit, and maybe even get some feelgood coverage from the media.
Instead, a shitstorm.
Haeleos
Member
I don't see how it would be any different from being in the base game. They sold that too, all the same. Not shocking, Bethesda is just good at sweeping this kind of shit under the rug by not responding to it.
lightskintwin
Banned
Then don't make mods, if you're worried about not getting any credit if the copyright holder is "inspired" by it or "rips it off".
semiconscious
Gold Member
so frigging credit him with 'inspiration', maybe? or is even that asking too much of mighty bethesda?
...ViciousAnchovy
Member
So, I read what the creator of the mod had to say and looked at all of the comparisons and explanations of the scenarios, and everything seemed like it was indeed very similar, but at the end of the article, the creator says that people should give Autumn Leaves a try if they "want to play a 'Whodunit', but with entirely different themes, different writing, different plot, different music (!) different voice acting (!!)." I haven't played either the DLC or the mod, so I don't know if the bit about the different themes, plot, and writing is sarcasm, or if the scenarios that showed up in Brain Dead are the only instances that appears to be ripped wholesale from Autumn Leaves.
Can anyone speak to what, if anything, is different between the two, and how much is different? It sounds like BD is shorter, so even if everything else is different, that would mean a good chunk of it would be derivative, which would be something taken into account in any possible court hearings.
Can anyone speak to what, if anything, is different between the two, and how much is different? It sounds like BD is shorter, so even if everything else is different, that would mean a good chunk of it would be derivative, which would be something taken into account in any possible court hearings.
so frigging credit him with 'inspiration', maybe? or is even that asking too much of mighty bethesda?
but Pete Hines says its a total coincidence
call_kotaku
Member
considering how much Bethesda relies on the modding community for lengthening the lifespans of their games or flat out fixing design oversights, it's probably not a great message to send out to the community.
But don't let us talk you out of supporting your favorite developer
Has Pete Hines said anything good as a PR Person for the past several years?
banefirelord
Banned
With that context and the mod author's statement, this seems more par for the course (if more on the nose) IRT Bethesda's past relationship with mod "inspiration" than I initially thought. I seem to recall an interview about Skyrim where Todd was talking about how they basically copied a bow combat mod from Oblivion for the new game. Not that it's cool to steal or that they shouldn't be taken to task, but I don't think this is exactly a new thing for BethSoft.
of all the things available to rip off, you'd think they'd rip off a better story at some point
He has said plenty of good things, but the question is how many of those are true.
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
Sarcasm. You couldn't just say that you think Bethesda did not in fact copy or rip anything and that the two things are in fact not the same? Hell, the MODDER CREATOR says it wasn't a copy.
lightskintwin
Banned
I've never played any of the Fallout games and think Skyrim is vastly overrated, but please continue with the ad hominem when my approach is neutral.
Now you may have a point with Bethesda's relationship with the modding community and vice versa, but it remains to be seen if anything changes as a result.
SchrodingerC
Member
Maybe Bethesda should just hire modders to help write quests for them instead.
Considering how fucking ugly the color palettes were for FO3 and NV the more 'exaggerated' colors are an improvement.
Considering how fucking ugly the color palettes were for FO3 and NV the more 'exaggerated' colors are an improvement.
ebullientprism
Member
I dunno whats scummier. The fact that they blatantly stole someone's idea and sold it to customers. Or that they are on twitter pretending that its not the case.
call_kotaku
Member
To support Bethesda on the issue you'd have to believe that either "corporations own everything you make with their tools" or "as long as it's not illegal then it isn't unethical", which aren't "neutral" opinions in any sense.
Nobody is arguing that any court would rule against Bethesda, they're just pointing out that it's an incredibly shitty thing to do both as a group of creatives and as the overseers of an active and passionate community.
D
Deleted member 471617
Unconfirmed Member
Bethesda just out Ubied Ubisoft. LOL.
Heckler456
Banned
Hey, quick question. Who here has played both the mod and the quest in the DLC?
lightskintwin
Banned
I've been explaining how it's not. You should go in with the understanding that whatever you create that uses copyrighted material, you don't own unless it's under fair use. It's pretty simple.
That's one mofo of a coincidence, Pete.
I've played Far Harbor, but you can bet Autumn Leaves is getting a huge boost in downloads as we speak.
I've played Far Harbor, but you can bet Autumn Leaves is getting a huge boost in downloads as we speak.
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
I've been wondering the same thing.
Mechanized
Member
While this seems way too similar to simply be coincidence, I wonder if both sides were inspired by a recent tv show or book or something.
Regginator
Member
Yeah, I've always thought this was the case, and apparently it is? Still, a shame they didn't give him credits for it or it was blatantly done, but I don't think they're obligated to do that.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
ive yet to hear anything from Bethesda where they try to court and support the modding community. Now im sure Bethesda has hired on modders in the past but ive never got the impression thats something they regularly do. Other companies like Obsidian and Bungie have hired high-profile Bethesda modders afaik (Jorge Salgado for Obsidian and the Falskaar mod guy for Bungie)..
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
I think fireaxis hired Long War studio to make the initial three mods for xcom2.
call_kotaku
Member
It's an established fact that fair use is very shaky and copyright holders will win any dispute they choose to challenge, but that's not the core issue here. It's perfectly legal for Bethesda to monetize and "steal" any user content made for their game, just like it's perfectly legal for Nintendo to shut down anyone trying to stream their games, or for Valve to just revoke anyone's Steam games at any time. The question isn't whether Bethesda can do any of this stuff, it's just pointing out that it's probably shitty for them to try.
So yes, it's incredibly simple, and I don't understand why you refuse to understand everyone else's point. It's like you're purposely letting it go over your head in order to pretend like you have some sort of insight into the legal process, which none of this is actually about.
water_wendi
Water is not wet!
Thats awesome. Long War is such a good mod.
GavinUK86
Member
Yes because the entire content of the season pass is this one <1 hour long side quest. Uh huh.
NightShift
Member
Fuck. I used to trust Bethesda and thought them as one of the most creative studios in the industry. This is fucking unforgivable.
Makes this even more sad that this was the one quest that a lot of people were saying was the best in the game.
Makes this even more sad that this was the one quest that a lot of people were saying was the best in the game.
I understand what you guys are saying. However, without NV the mod wouldn't even exist. I don't know... It's unreasonable to charge for it but I'm still neutral about the whole thing. If you don't support this you don't have to buy it.With that being said, they should at least give the original creator credit.
Firaxis has commissioned several more mods from them since - they're at 6 mods now, with plans for at least one more I think.
http://steamcommunity.com/id/longwarstudios/myworkshopfiles/
Conkerkid11
Member
This is news to me.
Everything I've seen makes it look more like Bethesda's just trying to figure out how to get some money out of this modding business. Looks like they found a means of which to do that with this DLC.
Derivative works are still creative.
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
Damn, some of that stuff looks good too. I'm in pain that I can't play xcom 2 atm.
What content of the season pass was worth it? General consensus is disappointment.
Okay, then Far Harbor is extremely uncreative, because Bethesda didn't even make the IP or the world its contained in.
Unless somehow buying the IP made it creative for them?
Dick Justice
Banned
Eh, can't say that I am. There's a defense force for everything on GAF, everyone knows that lol.
Firaxis is pretty much the new gold standard for mod support. The mods that have come out for the game have increased its longevity tremendously, and they keep improving support with subsequent patches.
This is kind of ironic when you consider that Bethesda didn't create the Fallout IP.
Dick Justice
Banned
Diprosalic
Banned
dude, you are in the right, no need to lie about it.
underrated post.
As far as I know Obsidian asked for permission from the mod makers. I know for a fact that they asked the creator of the Weapon Modification mod of Fallout 3 for permission to use the same idea in New Vegas.
texhnolyze
Banned
The point is, at least give the mod makers credit that they totally deserved.
Conkerkid11
Member
Damn, that's about Skyrim, right?