How to motivate Activision to make Battlezone 3

[OhioAstromech]

I know I haven't posted much but getting the e-mail about the latest BZ Enhanced download made me get my copy of Battlezone out and start playing it again.
I still am amazed at the quality in game play and graphics.

I started thinking what could possibly coax Activision to create Battlezone 3.
I have seen polls on the internet but they don't sem to get much attention from Activision.

What if fans pulled their collective tallents, generated blueprints and built a couple full scale grizzly tanks, scouts or scavengers and brought them to a future E3 Convention.

I know this sounds like an epic task to take on but it can be done.

I was a part of a group of Star Wars fans that wanted to build a accurate replica of the Landspeeder from A New Hope and it finally was finished.



A scout would be small and easy to build, the grizzly would be larger but possible to build in a 2 car garage, the scavenger may be a bit too big.

Because they are all facetted it would be easy to build a plywood on frame mock-up, seal it with plaster, paint and weather.

What I need to know is if there is any way to pull the wire frame vehicles off Battlezone and convert them into a dfx or dwg format.

If that can be done then the rest would be easy.

Let me know what you guys think.

Scot

[FirBirGir]

Scot,

Stop by bzuniverse.com. There are a couple of threads in the BZ1 section regarding grizzly models. I'm sure you can get one there.

If you do make a grizzly car, use wire mesh and fiberglass for the outer shell. It will hold up much better than plywood.

Eddy

[OhioAstromech]

If I made a replica Grizzly it would be static on a trailer.

That Speeder cost a bit too much.

Scot

[Blunt Force Trauma]

It would be a very, VERY tough choice if I knew I could have a drivable replica of any ship in the BZ universe.

Hehe, of course ships like the Grendel, lander, turrets, etc. are immediately disqualified.

[FirBirGir]

I bet that windshield wasn't cheap unless you found it first and built the speeder around it. What do you guys do with it? I just don't see someone driving it to work everyday

I think you would want the grizzly on wheels but being road worthy wouldn't be necessary. Depending on the construction, you might be able to salvage s drive train from a golf cart to move it around (remember with BZ scale, the grizzly isn't a huge vehicle).

Eddy

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Eddy,

Cheap, if not free, "canopies" can be made from used or discontinued commercial skylight bubbles. Of course they would never be 'safe' for regular road use.

By the way...I showed some friends who dropped by for 'holiday merriment' several of your vids on my flat screen and they all loved watching them

[FirBirGir]

BFT, glad you could have fun with the videos! Since they are 1024x768 x 30fps, you can go full screen and it almost like playing the game. I should try them out on our projector based home theater. 100" BZ, kewl!

Eddy

[OhioAstromech]

I bet that windshield wasn't cheap unless you found it first and built the speeder around it. What do you guys do with it? I just don't see someone driving it to work everyday

I think you would want the grizzly on wheels but being road worthy wouldn't be necessary. Depending on the construction, you might be able to salvage s drive train from a golf cart to move it around (remember with BZ scale, the grizzly isn't a huge vehicle).

Eddy

The windshield was made by an aircraft canopy company here in Ohio.
The speeder is going around to conventions and is currently in Texas.

Scot

[TheWall]

Ohio, where in Ohio? Z-ville here...

[OhioAstromech]

Centerville

Ohio, where in Ohio? Z-ville here...

[TheWall]

Ohio...

As to your original posting... I have been a CAD designer for decades, am a CNC programmer, and have a 100% accurate IN GAME CAD model of a Grizzly (samples: http://www.bzuniverse.com/forum/index.p ... 00.75.html). The geometry can easily be scaled to ANY scale, and be programmed to be cut from any material that a (large) CNC Router could/would cut that would be acceptable to whatever type of "model" someone wants to construct.

So, getting the SHAPE, and programming to manufacture it is in the bag.

[Kahless]

Activision can't be enticed to make Battlezone 3. Atari owns the Battlezone trademark and all intellectual property. Part of a very bad deal Activision made with Atari to 'borrow' the Battlezone trademark name for a set period of time in return for giving the whole package to them after a certain period of time elapsed. (time is up) . One thing in my search for Atari information, I found they sue and get sued a lot. I first thought Activision owned Battlezone. I spoke with Acti's legal department about using the Battlezone trademark in my book, and they said, np, won't cost you a thing; just let me research ownership and get you a standard release form. They came back saying regretfully they didn't own it. My contact with Atari trying to get permission to use their trademark Battlezone name in my book revealed a totally different attitude. They wanted to deal with the publisher direct, have control over the script, and if i remember right, wanted 20% of the money. I would not allow them any control over the script, and through 20% was outrageous, so I said no, and changed the name of my book, and removed references to Gen. Collins from the book. Once I informed them I didn't need their trademark, their whole attitude changed. They requested I mention it was written under inspiration of Battlezone game owned by Atari, but ceased to ask for any money or control.

Atari is entirely financially driven, probably because of financial trouble over the last few years. My contact with Atari legal was kathryn.butters@atari.com. If you can come up with an idea for a game that would make sense to them, contact them. Otherwise, forget it.

Kahless

[Dx.]

When i spoke to Activision they said they own Battlezone code but have no rights to use it for Battlezone.
I do know parts of the Bz code was used in Star Trek Armada.

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Sadly, games now are heavily graphics driven, unless the game is directed towards the 4-12 year old crowd, then I suspect the educational or developmental aspect may take precedence.

So I doubt a pitch to Atari of game 'substance' would be considered, unless it is totally new, fresh and innovative.