Halogen mod shut down

[Zerenity]

Halogen, a Halo-themed modification for C&C Generals, has been shut down by Microsoft. Apparently they've been working on it for three years, and then bam- cease and desist. Here's the site: http://halogen.slipstreamproductions.net/

So, what do you guys think: Is Microsoft taking the copyright law too far? Are game mods really that much of a problem in that area?

[myrtar]

eech, that's rough. but no, microsoft is well within their rights for copyright stuff there, since they own bungie and therefore the halo franchise.

especially since an RTS game based on the halo universe is a viable, marketable option for them in the forseeable future.

[Setari]

First off, they probably should have asked Bungie for the okay. Second, it's sad really, since Bungie, from what I've read, is very much in favor of mods promoting Halo, but Microsoft is a bunch of stiffs. Oh well.

[Fragmatic]

Originally Posted by Setari

First off, they probably should have asked Bungie for the okay.

Bingo.

Although it's a shame that they probably got quite a lot done and now it's all for nothing.

[Marinealver]

Well visited their forums. The comunity seems a little "unfriendly" and "hard-headed"

After seeing it in developmnt I see they were starting to make units and features out of the blue, and were working for themselves instead of working with Bungie. Basicly they got it into their heads that this is their project and not Microsofts property.

[Hayoo]

Originally Posted by Marinealver

Basicly they got it into their heads that this is their project and not Microsofts property.

They knew this wasn't their property. There was no illustion about that among the team. They just wanted to make a cool RTS game because Bungie/Microsoft hadn't. They saw Halo Zero and thought a Generals mod that wasn't making any profit would be acceptable as well.

Unfortunately, with the movie coming out and Microsoft looking for alternate ways to cash-in on the franchise, an RTS would be a logical game to make. Hence, Halogen was no longer free to exist, especially when not made with a competitor's engine. At least, that's the thought floating around the community.

The Halogen team was working in the hopes that Bungie or Microsoft would see how great the thing could be and then either embrace it or try to one-up it. Instead, they got axed and even the Wikipedia article on it got removed.

Very sad story. A similar one is with the G.I.Joe Mod for Battlefield. Hasbro killed it cause if you don't defend your property you risk losing it, especially if you want to do the same thing later down the road.

Oh, here's the Q&A by the team on the end of the project: http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl.../09/11/1820252

[Fragmatic]

Originally Posted by Hayoo

The Halogen team was working in the hopes that Bungie or Microsoft would see how great the thing could be and then either embrace it or try to one-up it. Instead, they got axed and even the Wikipedia article on it got removed.

Then they pretty much sealed the deal right there. If they had contacted bungie beforehand and asked permission, they would have got a straight up yes/no and would have avoided this whole mess.

[Zsinj]

Originally Posted by Hayoo

Instead, they got axed and even the Wikipedia article on it got removed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikiped...%28game_mod%29

[Hayoo]

Originally Posted by Fragmatic

Then they pretty much sealed the deal right there. If they had contacted bungie beforehand and asked permission, they would have got a straight up yes/no and would have avoided this whole mess.

But it's not a mess. Any controversy is being generated by the community and niche media. The simple fact is, after 3 years of well-known development of a fan-project, Microsoft suddenly told them to stop making it and now the team is moving on.

Should I have asked SOE for permission to make Idealab? They would have said "No" right off the bat, not understanding what it was for nor caring to because a simple No avoids an legal issues. Several Concept Division members have recieved "No" or indefinate "I'll get back to you" answers, trying to get official approval for a benign project.

Fan projects the world over attempt to create something fun from their favorite intellectual property and hope for the best. There's not much more to it than that. The Halogen team was encouraged by the good luck of others and attempted to emulate. It didn't work out and their story has ended.

[Zerenity]

Well, guess we know WHY it was shut down. Halo Wars!

[Aut]

Originally Posted by Zerenity

Well, guess we know WHY it was shut down. Halo Wars!

pssh, I would rather have Halogen

[Hayoo]

Interesting that it's only for Xbox 360, considering the number of PC RTS players out there.

[Aut]

Originally Posted by Hayoo

Interesting that it's only for Xbox 360, considering the number of PC RTS players out there.

I think that they will port it to PC, the market is too big to ignore.

[johnypilgrim]

In a sue-happy America, Intelletual Property must be looked after with an ultra hard-line stance lest a company face losing millions upon millions of dollars.

It's the sad reality of today.

JP

[Marinealver]

Hmmm 4 HAL0 projects at once? (HAL0 3, HAL0 movie, HALO 2 vista, and now HAL0 wars)

Sound like a bit overdoing it. Now I am a fan of HAL0 but all this at once I worry that some thing will suffer. I mean HAL0 2 was made better than HAL0 would HAL0 3 still be better than HAL0 2 with all this other stuff going on?

[Cousarr]

Originally Posted by Aut

I think that they will port it to PC, the market is too big to ignore.

Especially considering how easy Microsoft made it to port games between 360 and PC.

[Darkraptor]

Originally Posted by Marinealver

Hmmm 4 HAL0 projects at once? (HAL0 3, HAL0 movie, HALO 2 vista, and now HAL0 wars)

5 actualy. Bungies article on X06 says that Peter Jackson is a part of a new game studio, Wingnut Interactive, and is working on another Halo game.
http://www.bungie.net/News/TopStory....nk=bungieatx06
I really hope all of these turn out good, the Halo games are a blast to play at LANs.