The publishing partner who did this doesn't act like a partner at all. From the start the creation of the game was crippled by the prohibition to alter existing content, thus keeping the original npc's as mute as they were. Now they crippled the game by forcing a stop on sales and release of the much-expected patch. Let's hope they don't deliver a death-blow.
This is the worst part, they've had to jump through so many hoops just to meet arbitrary contract clauses as it is. I don't understand why they are so desperate to cripple an overhaul of ancient games. If I find out which partner is causing all the problems I will be sure never to purchase anything they are involved with in the future as a reward for being so difficult. I hope they will repent their ways and act like decent people about the whole thing.
In a heartbeat, if they could profit from it. They're probably already getting a percentage of the profits, though: why shoot themselves in the foot?
Getting a percentage of the profits is not so much an issue as one side feeling they're not getting their appropriate share, which leads down legal rabbit holes and all sorts of nonsense. It is frustrating, but it happens.
This also explains why, for instance, there is no Alpha Centauri II. Firaxis would love to do one, but they can't get through the legal labyrinth.
It's times like these when I can really appreciate the fact that the future of PC gaming seems to be indies and crowdfunding as opposed to old-fashioned suits whose only role is complicating things.
@Chow - because of the nature of this game. First, there is the WOTC license, then there are the publisher's (original) rights (which were sold to multiple parties). Each of those moves added complexity. My guess is that the above people want to be paid as if they'd made BG:EE happen, even though their only involvement is via legal memorandums of agreement and contracts.
The publishing partner who did this doesn't act like a partner at all. From the start the creation of the game was crippled by the prohibition to alter existing content, thus keeping the original npc's as mute as they were. Now they crippled the game by forcing a stop on sales and release of the much-expected patch. Let's hope they don't deliver a death-blow.
This is the worst part, they've had to jump through so many hoops just to meet arbitrary contract clauses as it is. I don't understand why they are so desperate to cripple an overhaul of ancient games. If I find out which partner is causing all the problems I will be sure never to purchase anything they are involved with in the future as a reward for being so difficult. I hope they will repent their ways and act like decent people about the whole thing.
I think the publishing partner is Atari. In which case, it makes perfect sense why they've had to stop sales and development. Atari would have basically said to Beamdog "if I was you guys I'd stop what you're doing with BG, because we can't guarantee that you'll own it in a months time". Sound advice if you ask me.
It also explains why Beamdog couldn't alter existing content...if they did then Atari and Beamdog could have faced problems from Hasbro regarding the D&D digital rights license. Not that Hasbro would've said anything, because Beamdog aren't competitors of Hasbro...and that's all they're bothered about.
Hey, guys, What's the matter with other languages? Espessially with Russian.
I have no problem with other languages, and don't see a problem with them. In some ways, they're so fascinating. I mean, I grew up only speaking English and was mind-boggled to learn that other languages are constructed differently. It made me expand my mental horizons as I tried to grasp (in this case, Spanish) the grammatical and usage rules.
So, in short, there is nothing 'the matter' with other languages. They're rather interesting and a special part of our world.
I'm not sure Hasbro will be involved - unless they want to bid for the rights to BG in the auction.
I'd say this problem will not be resolved (one way or another) until after the 'rights' auction has finished, which is 19th July. *
I'm guessing that Beamdog are annoyed/concerned that if they fail to secure the rights to BG before the auction (or fail to win them in the auction) that their work could potentially be for nothing. If someone else gains the rights to BG, they could pay Beamdog to continue working and the buyer would reap the rewards. Not sure that Beamdog would be very happy with that though.
* Just read that the auction might not include all Atari game assets. Atari (or rather its administrators) are looking to sell some assets privately. BG might be one of those private sales.
"In addition to seeking to sell those assets in the July auctions, Atari wants permission to sell certain games that are "of minor value" outside of the auction process.
"These assets have generated insufficient interest to be included in their own respective category," the company said."
Can someone ( @Dee, @camdog, @PhillipDaigle...) comment on if this is a possibility? Also apparently a judge will decide on the bids received on July 24...
I really hope that Beamdog or a friendly-party can acquire the IP. BGEE has been great and I am sure it and BG2EE would only make things better. I really would like to learn more about the new NPCs as well...
don't panic man, i hope overhaul just not announce all list of language support
i'm not such a nervous, but this is ridiculous, half of year guys from PLAYUA, speaking us about support and progress with localization, and now what? We must just like Neo from Matrix "learn" how use other language to read? Oh my my..
Overhaul, if you guys are reading this forum, please tell something about Russian and Ukraine localization, if that's really happen because Trent answering on twitter what localization will be available in the next patch. Many of players, i know, really cool speak on English (not i, but we have some people), but many, (not a population of other community's maybe) but real many player's from our country buy and play BG EE, and they are still have little hope, what tomorrow your game, be available on they language, and I really hope you do not forget about us...
And a question: Why can't you tell us what is really going on? Why would it be a secret?
As with most legal matters, generally the less you comment publicly the better. There's a reason why the default response of pretty much every organization about ongoing legal issues is 'no comment'.
There's a reason why the default response of pretty much every organization about ongoing legal issues is 'no comment'.
What is the reason?
I've never been in a lawsuit, but I can't see how talking about it hurts anything?
Is it slander or something to say company x has sued us to stop working on BGEE? Or that Atari's bankruptcy has led to a situation where we aren't legally allowed to continue on BGEE until a new buyer is found? I don't know if that's true and I don't know the legal system but I can see a point in letting rumors get out of control.
@smeagolheart It's usually a bad idea to give away any information in a situation like this. Any competitors will use it against you.
This situation has thrown up some interesting questions though:
1. What exactly did Beamdog buy from Atari in regards to licensing for BG? 2. Did Atari unlawfully sell something to Beamdog (i.e. Selling something which wasn't entirely theirs to sell).
We always knew how hard it was for beamdog to get the rights to do this. After all that you still have people blocking your work... Beamdog kept BG as good as it was, and improved it, with great taste. Reviving this loved classic to all of us. Something that I doubt anyone else would. Its uncalled for and unfair to burden beamdog with more legal bullshit when they struggle to bring the best of BG, both new and old content.
I've never been in a lawsuit, but I can't see how talking about it hurts anything?
In my experience -- based on personal legal wranglings completely unrelated to the current situation (as always, anything I post is solely my own opinion and in no way represents Beamdog, Overhaul, or any other corporate entity, and, praise be to Ao, I'm not privy to the current discussions) -- It's important to remember that, even in legal wranglings between corporate entities, there are actual people involved. Lawyers are paid to stay calm, but even for them, things can get emotional. And few people like having their dirty laundry aired in public.
If you're doing what you think is best, and you have a disagreement with someone else who's also doing what they think is best, that's rough, but it's just the two of you trying to work something out.
Now imagine the person you disagree with tells all their friends their side of the story -- which from their perspective is the only side of the story, really. They're trying to be reasonable, they have no idea why you're being a jerk about this.
Those friends start phoning you, yelling at you, publicly insulting you and organizing boycotts of your -- and your employees' -- work. Now it's not just you feeling pressure, not just your family at risk -- the people you work with, care for, are responsible for, are having their livelihoods threatened. At minimum, that's going to hurt company morale, possibly worse.
This might -- MIGHT -- make you more likely to accept the other person's demands... but you probably won't be happy about it. And it's just as likely, if not moreso, that the other person just got you angry, and now you've got an even higher emotional stake in not giving them what they want, even if/when they're ready to make what you would have accepted as a reasonable compromise before things got ugly.
So there's that.
There's also the fact that the entertainment industry is built on relationships and reputation. If you're the company or individual that went public with what the industry (rightly or wrongly) considers to be a private matter, your reputation is going to take a hit and the next thing you try to do will be that much harder to ahieve. You do NOT want to be seen as THAT Company/Person. You really don't. I know several of Those Guys; I would've been That Guy if my reps hadn't slapped me upside the head and told me to shut up. I've seen how hard it makes things. Trust me, it's capital N capital F No Fun.
Perrsonally, I don't like the secrecy -- it goes against my nature not to go into painful detail about the minutiae of my life -- but I've learned the hard way that loose lips really can sink ships. You say something you think is indisputably true and, more importantly, completely harmless -- and dominos you never even knew were there start tumbling. The next thing you know a hard situation is well on its way to becoming an impossible one.
I know it's tough being passionate about something and being kept in the dark about it. I've been there, many times. The only comfort I can offer is a cold one, and it's this: a positive resolution to the current issues will come faster if the discussions remain private.
Sorry for the rambling. But this just scratches the surface of a couple of smaller facets of the issue -- ones I've personally encountered. Beyond that, there are all sorts of legal repercussions to public statements... There's a reason lawyers are brought in to these situations, and many, many reasons they almost universally advise their clients to keep their mouths shut.
Again, everything posted here is entirely the opinion of the writer and should in no way be construed as representing Beamdog, Overhaul, or anyone else.
No offense taken, @Quartz. I continue to be impressed with the level of support we're getting from the community. So much so that I even tweeted about it yesterday (and I almost never tweet about anything): https://twitter.com/DPennyway
@Somulo_ My comments were entirely satirical. The initial question was not 'what is the status of implementing Russian language support?', even though that is probably what the author intended. Sometimes my humor falls flat and if that happened in this case, I apologize.
Comments
This also explains why, for instance, there is no Alpha Centauri II. Firaxis would love to do one, but they can't get through the legal labyrinth.
It also explains why Beamdog couldn't alter existing content...if they did then Atari and Beamdog could have faced problems from Hasbro regarding the D&D digital rights license. Not that Hasbro would've said anything, because Beamdog aren't competitors of Hasbro...and that's all they're bothered about.
http://forum.baldursgate.com/discussion/19376/announcement-baldur-s-gate-enhanced-edition-has-been-temporarily-removed-from-sale/p1
So, in short, there is nothing 'the matter' with other languages. They're rather interesting and a special part of our world.
[/troll]
"In addition to seeking to sell those assets in the July auctions, Atari wants permission to sell certain games that are "of minor value" outside of the auction process.
"These assets have generated insufficient interest to be included in their own respective category," the company said."
Can someone ( @Dee, @camdog, @PhillipDaigle...) comment on if this is a possibility? Also apparently a judge will decide on the bids received on July 24...
I really hope that Beamdog or a friendly-party can acquire the IP. BGEE has been great and I am sure it and BG2EE would only make things better. I really would like to learn more about the new NPCs as well...
Its a shame see a great project like this get stuck, because Atari is in bankrupt and need easy money!
omg seriously? i'm just need to learn a language? It's REALLY help cap! Thank you, you just show us all a truth! my god...
@Dronovich_msk
don't panic man, i hope overhaul just not announce all list of language support
i'm not such a nervous, but this is ridiculous, half of year guys from PLAYUA, speaking us about support and progress with localization, and now what? We must just like Neo from Matrix "learn" how use other language to read? Oh my my..
Overhaul, if you guys are reading this forum, please tell something about Russian and Ukraine localization, if that's really happen because Trent answering on twitter what localization will be available in the next patch. Many of players, i know, really cool speak on English (not i, but we have some people), but many, (not a population of other community's maybe) but real many player's from our country buy and play BG EE, and they are still have little hope, what tomorrow your game, be available on they language, and I really hope you do not forget about us...
Thank you.
I've never been in a lawsuit, but I can't see how talking about it hurts anything?
Is it slander or something to say company x has sued us to stop working on BGEE? Or that Atari's bankruptcy has led to a situation where we aren't legally allowed to continue on BGEE until a new buyer is found? I don't know if that's true and I don't know the legal system but I can see a point in letting rumors get out of control.
This situation has thrown up some interesting questions though:
1. What exactly did Beamdog buy from Atari in regards to licensing for BG?
2. Did Atari unlawfully sell something to Beamdog (i.e. Selling something which wasn't entirely theirs to sell).
Beamdog kept BG as good as it was, and improved it, with great taste. Reviving this loved classic to all of us. Something that I doubt anyone else would.
Its uncalled for and unfair to burden beamdog with more legal bullshit when they struggle to bring the best of BG, both new and old content.
I'm sure you will succeed.
Call me if you need my help.
If you're doing what you think is best, and you have a disagreement with someone else who's also doing what they think is best, that's rough, but it's just the two of you trying to work something out.
Now imagine the person you disagree with tells all their friends their side of the story -- which from their perspective is the only side of the story, really. They're trying to be reasonable, they have no idea why you're being a jerk about this.
Those friends start phoning you, yelling at you, publicly insulting you and organizing boycotts of your -- and your employees' -- work. Now it's not just you feeling pressure, not just your family at risk -- the people you work with, care for, are responsible for, are having their livelihoods threatened. At minimum, that's going to hurt company morale, possibly worse.
This might -- MIGHT -- make you more likely to accept the other person's demands... but you probably won't be happy about it. And it's just as likely, if not moreso, that the other person just got you angry, and now you've got an even higher emotional stake in not giving them what they want, even if/when they're ready to make what you would have accepted as a reasonable compromise before things got ugly.
So there's that.
There's also the fact that the entertainment industry is built on relationships and reputation. If you're the company or individual that went public with what the industry (rightly or wrongly) considers to be a private matter, your reputation is going to take a hit and the next thing you try to do will be that much harder to ahieve. You do NOT want to be seen as THAT Company/Person. You really don't. I know several of Those Guys; I would've been That Guy if my reps hadn't slapped me upside the head and told me to shut up. I've seen how hard it makes things. Trust me, it's capital N capital F No Fun.
Perrsonally, I don't like the secrecy -- it goes against my nature not to go into painful detail about the minutiae of my life -- but I've learned the hard way that loose lips really can sink ships. You say something you think is indisputably true and, more importantly, completely harmless -- and dominos you never even knew were there start tumbling. The next thing you know a hard situation is well on its way to becoming an impossible one.
I know it's tough being passionate about something and being kept in the dark about it. I've been there, many times. The only comfort I can offer is a cold one, and it's this: a positive resolution to the current issues will come faster if the discussions remain private.
Sorry for the rambling. But this just scratches the surface of a couple of smaller facets of the issue -- ones I've personally encountered. Beyond that, there are all sorts of legal repercussions to public statements... There's a reason lawyers are brought in to these situations, and many, many reasons they almost universally advise their clients to keep their mouths shut.
Again, everything posted here is entirely the opinion of the writer and should in no way be construed as representing Beamdog, Overhaul, or anyone else.
You would have a fair point were it not for all of the other *positive* things I said in my post that you apparently missed.
/sigh
don't apologize sir it's just joke too
Must... give... more than... one... insightful...
*insert 'to end like this' here*