Atari rights Auction

[Ranger]

well since i posted this on GSH's forum



shall we flashmob activision's forum?

[Sno]

We'll start the bidding at $1.

[Blunt Force Trauma]

If the BZ franchise started at around $10,000 that might be slightly realistic.

Obviously that so-called "auction" is a real 'pie-in-the-sky' venture.

[Dx.]

NO SALE!

[hitchcockgreen]

How much did Bionite generate in donations?

[Blunt Force Trauma]

Ahh, I thought you died.

But I think it was around 21K.

A little shy of an opening bid.

[hitchcockgreen]

Ahh, I thought you died.

But I think it was around 21K.

A little shy of an opening bid.

Dead?
Nah, but I'm working on it.

[Ded10c]

We discovered not long after posting that this was just the two classic Atari Battlezones; neither of ours. Rebellion won both.

http://www.saveatari.com/bz.php

[Dx.]

Well if the only thing that reverted to Atari after 2006 was the title, i don't see why Activision can't license Bz.

[Ded10c]

They couldn't do it under the same name, but they could easily do it under Combat Commander. Still, I doubt it's gonna happen. GSH did a good idea of outlining why.

[hitchcockgreen]

Those are all the same reasons I've read and said over the years.

A "Combat Comander II".... sounds like Activision's game, alright.
Similar to Call to Power II.... which was a sequel to a Civilization variant in that franchise. No licensing for the Civ name for the sequel, so they just went with Call to Power.

BZ really is in a state of limbo. The name belongs and is associated with the 80s arcade original.
A second company holds the source code with no name to attach to it.

GSH nails it; it's not going to happen. You can call your flavour Bionite if you like, but it's not BZ (and that may be a poor example )

[Kahless]

The reason Atari owns it is because it made an agreement to hand over all of the game's assets after 8 years in exchange for the use of the Battlezone name.

Kahless

[FirBirGir]

What is your source on this agreement ? That sort of information is not usually public knowledge and if it's not in writing and available, it's just hearsay.

[Dx.]

The reason Atari owns it is because it made an agreement to hand over all of the game's assets after 8 years in exchange for the use of the Battlezone name.

Kahless

Ahadley ^

When i spoke to Atari they also said they own Bz and the TRO mission pack.

[Dx.]

What is your source on this agreement ? That sort of information is not usually public knowledge and if it's not in writing and available, it's just hearsay.

Activision legal assigned the case to a paralegal who researched the contract and contacted Kahless about it, correct Kahless?

[FirBirGir]

Unfortunately, unless the paralegal gave someone a copy of the contract or provided the information in writing, it's still hearsay. What your describing is some paralegal's opinion on what a contract she was reviewing said. It doesn't mean it's the only contract relating to this agreement nor that she properly interpreted it.

If the 1998 Battlezone assets were part of the BZ franchise, you may want to contact the new owners and see if they got it or will be getting it.

Eddy

[Dx.]

I think Activision retained the rights to the source because the Bz engine was used atleast 2 more times for other titles. I agree Eddy, that is why i want to see the contract.

[Ded10c]

Always more sensible to assume the norm has not been deviated from until you have the evidence in front of you.

If Atari did indeed own the assets, then they're out of anyone's hands; they weren't passed on and are now subject to the standard 70-year term.

I'd suggest any attempt henceforward to make contact with any company to research this further be co-ordinated; that way we all know what's the truth regardless of what our intended goals are. We also don't run the risk of making ourselves look horrifically unprofessional; look professional and we're more likely to get a decent response.

[Kahless]

One thing I do know. When I called Activision to get permission to use characters and refer to the name Battlezone in my book, I spoke to a Jane Elms, JElms@activision.com. Her number is 310 255 2008. She is the one who told me they don't own it any more and referred me to Atari. I spoke to Kathryn Butters from ATARI INTERACTIVE, INC. 417 5th Avenue New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212.726.6551
Fax: 212.726.4239
email: kathryn.butters@atari.com

I will say the later is very hard to deal with.

Kahless

[Grinder]

BZ rights sold?
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/42 ... s/?site=uk

and http://rebellion.co.uk/history/