Blizzard Gives Thumbs-Up to World of StarCraft Mod

[Spectre4802]

Nice one, Blizzard. This is why I like you guys - always trying to help the modding community.

 

[Andy Chalk]

Try to keep in mind that Blizzard the StarCraft studio is not the same entity as the Activision-Blizzard legal department, and that when it comes to matters of business - especially big-dollar business like a popular Blizzard game franchise - the standard practice is lawyers first and ask questions later. Suggesting that Blizzard is somehow behaving badly in all this is way off the mark.

 

[Phoenixlight]

Ha, fooled you, it's really so they can shoot the guy in the head for stealing their property.

haha lol >.<

 

[Jaebird]

...even invited the developer to visit the Blizzard campus and meet with the StarCraft 2 [http://www.amazon.com/Starcraft-II-Wings-Liberty-Pc/dp/B000ZKA0J6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295543972&sr=8-1] team.

And no one ever saw him again...

 

[ComicsAreWeird]

Dont go to the Blizzard studios!It´s a trap!

Seriously, they were pretty classy. Kudos to Blizzard.

 

[Ghengis John]

They probably just saw the guy has a lot of talent and the job offer to work against them scared them enough to try to make nice about the whole affair.

 

[Exort]

Dam, I thought it meant World of Starcraft is in the works...

 

[Exort]

Smells like more of that PR BS stuff that keeps getting everywhere.

Really? I doubt it. Blizzard have quite the track record for treating modders well - trying to break WoW notwithstanding - so it doesn't really smack of PR-farming to me.

Sure, I bet it crossed their mind that people will like this... But it's more likely that they really DO want the mod finished and released. Or maybe they want the guy to help them develop the actual thing. Who knows?

Regardless of Activision Blizzard's views on the mod, they didn't ask the modding team politely to change the name or remove the videos. Instead they went straight to the lawyers and sent out Cease and Desist letters to their own valued and precious community. No higher path taken, no fair warnings, just threats of legal action.
This bit them in the arse because of the mods place in the public arena and now they are smoothing things over, and it is working by the looks of things. I tip my hat to them (but that's all...).
Activision Blizzard may have some nice staff there, but that does not excuse the fact that they pulled a dick move first.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/107126-World-of-StarCraft-Modder-Gets-a-Job-Offer

Actually Blizzard didn't sue or send legal actions him. They were talking with him. At least that is what the modder said.

 

[Mekado]

Smells like more of that PR BS stuff that keeps getting everywhere.

Really? I doubt it. Blizzard have quite the track record for treating modders well - trying to break WoW notwithstanding - so it doesn't really smack of PR-farming to me.

Sure, I bet it crossed their mind that people will like this... But it's more likely that they really DO want the mod finished and released. Or maybe they want the guy to help them develop the actual thing. Who knows?

Regardless of Activision Blizzard's views on the mod, they didn't ask the modding team politely to change the name or remove the videos. Instead they went straight to the lawyers and sent out Cease and Desist letters to their own valued and precious community. No higher path taken, no fair warnings, just threats of legal action.
This bit them in the arse because of the mods place in the public arena and now they are smoothing things over, and it is working by the looks of things. I tip my hat to them (but that's all...).
Activision Blizzard may have some nice staff there, but that does not excuse the fact that they pulled a dick move first.

There was no C&D letters, they only had the youtube video removed.

 

[Supp]

If this mod takes off, then more people will buy Starcraft 2 to play it. Or maybe Blizzard wants to create a sequel to it eventually.

Or maybe they'll do what Valve did with Team Fortress and buy the guy out if it's successful enough.

Or maybe Valve will do what Valve did with DotA and buy the guy out anyways.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

Ha, fooled you, it's really so they can shoot the guy in the head for stealing their property.

I think Blizzard has the resources to send a hitman to the guy's home.

Still, I can respect Blizzard's opening moves. If even the developer recognizes that they have a right to do what they did, who am I to begrudge such a thing. Beyond that, they are letting the work continue and even offering a measure of support. Hell, the guy could very well get a job in the industry out of this if he wanted it. I'd say that's a victory for everyone involved. Blizzard gets some good press, the community gets to keep working on the project and a dream might soon be fulfilled.

 

[Torrasque]

WINNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

Holy shit, I can't wait till I get my beta approved

 

[Fr]anc[is]

I guess we know who's the Shepard and who's the Miranda in this relationship. Miranda goes off and starts bitching about something, so Shepard says "STFU and go to your room"