Activision Tried to "Steal" Paintballer's Identity

[Tom Goldman]

Activision Tried to "Steal" Paintballer's Identity

Activision allegedly tried to steal the identity of paintballer Greg Hastings for use in paintball videogames.

Whether you've heard of famous paintballer Greg Hastings or not, he has some interesting things to say about how Activision handled his videogame paintball sim. With Majesco's Greg Hastings Paintball 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Greg-Hastings-Paintball-2-Xbox-360/dp/B0038N9WPU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1281025915&sr=8-1] set to revolutionize the world of paintball games (no, really, according to Hastings), why isn't the series still being handled by Activision? Hastings alleges it's because he had to "fire" the publisher.

Talking to Games Radar [http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/greg-hastings-painball-2/preview/greg-hastings-hates-activision-and-says-crazy-things-about-greg-hastings-paintball-2/a-20100803163257556083/g-20100803123623996086], Hastings said: "I had to fire Activision for doing such a poor job." However, this was more than just a case of neglect or shoddy management.

Hastings continued: "Activision tried to steal my franchise. Within 24 hours of me shipping my PlayStation 2 game, Greg Hastings Tournament Paintball Max'd [http://www.amazon.com/Greg-Hastings-Paintball-MaxD-Tournament-Xbox/dp/B0008GJRQE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1281025921&sr=8-1], they sent me a letter and they said, 'We feel you've abandoned your franchise, and we're going to commence making games called Greg Hastings Paintball without Greg Hastings.'"

There was apparently then a court battle which Hastings won, allowing him to create Greg Hastings Paintball 2 with Majesco. "They made us spend a whole pile of money and we won unanimously in court," he says. "A billion-dollar company tried to steal my identity, and I was able to fight and regain my identity. That's why I'm on cloud nine; I fought the giant and I'm a success story against Activision."

This has not been Activision's month. Since the beginning of July, the company has gotten more than its share of bad press, including Tim Schafer sexism [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/102062-Psychonauts-Creator-Calls-Bobby-Kotick-Names]. This is one situation where the facts don't appear to lie: Hastings went up against Activision and won unanimously in court. If the higher-ups at Activision are engaging in immoral business practices, I don't approve, but even I'm starting to feel bad as their reputation seems to be tarnishing.

Source: Games Radar [http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/greg-hastings-painball-2/preview/greg-hastings-hates-activision-and-says-crazy-things-about-greg-hastings-paintball-2/a-20100803163257556083/g-20100803123623996086]


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[the_pleasure_is_mine]

They need to fire Bobby Kotick already D:

Then maybe Activision can become good once more.

 

[Wardnath]

Incoming Activision BAAWWWW in 3... 2... 1...

 

[Daemascus]

Why Blizzard, why did you have to merge with Activision. They're just gonna drag you down with shit like this.

 

[archvile93]

Considering Activision is run by and is a souless imoral entity that would do anything to make money regardless of legality, they will get no sympathy from me. Hell, I'll laugh at them.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

They still have a reputation to tarnish?

 

[ShadowsofHope]

Activision is already run by the Devil (Kotick). We are surprised by this?

 

[Enigmers]

Why would you bother stealing the identity of a paintballer when you could just make up an ideal badass and become more famous? People have heard of Master Chief and athan Drake, but I'd be willing to bet there aren't very many people who know Greg Hastings. Stealing his identity was just stupid.

 

[Mr Companion]

I think Activision should realise that it is possible to earn money without acting as evil as possible, like some video game industry equivalent of umbrella corp. And if it isn't possible then is money worth losing your humanity over?

 

[Arachon]

I hope Activison crumbles and dies, they are too conservative, but manages to sell unprecedented amounts of games, which means that the rest of the industry will be just as conservative, because publishers all want to follow the leader [http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FollowTheLeader].

 

[qbanknight]

Damn dude, everyday brings more news that Activision is the Empire and Kotick is its Emperor. All we need now is a Darth Vader to be pissed at and the circle is complete.

 

[Irridium]

I think Activision should realise that it is possible to earn money without acting as evil as possible, like some video game industry equivalent of umbrella corp. And if it isn't possibl then is money worth loosing your humanity over?

While that may be true, they can earn more money by being evil.
And as for your second question, then I assume the answer for them is yes, considering whats been happening lately.

 

[imnot]

to think bungie is joining with them! oh god!

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Can't we get one positive story about Acti/Blizzard. Just one?

They literally can't be that evil, can they?

 

[Rigs83]

The fail is [HEADING=1]EPIC![/HEADING]

 

[Wolfram23]

Activision, why do you have to be such unrepentant assholes?

Can't we get one positive story about Acti/Blizzard. Just one?

They literally can't be that evil, can they?

Activision and Blizzard don't deserve to be lumped together. They are completely polar opposites in terms of management and the games they make. The only thing in common is that they're owned by Vivendi.

 

[Burst6]

So if kotick is the devil of video games Newell must be the angel.

proof:

a few months after modern warfare 2 was released. Price: $60
a few months after left 4 dead 2 was released. price: $30

HAIL VALVE!