Stolen Ideas? Stolen Names? Research.
by Robert Sutton · in General Discussion · 09/15/2009 (1:02 am) · 8 replies
You know, through this topic has been changed and edited. I was in development in a game, this game name was the same of which was being made by a different company. Though 2 totally different games, I still got angry thinking of which someone had stolen the name.
The research after a long time past shown that coincedences do happy in this game industry, just because one person either has the same name or game idea or even new occurance inside of a game which yours follows... does not entirely justiofy calling someone stealers.
My suggestion as I have been in this perdictument is to do research to others, investigate by yourself instead of assuming and who knows, you may just have to write a letter of apology to the company when all is said and done :)
The research after a long time past shown that coincedences do happy in this game industry, just because one person either has the same name or game idea or even new occurance inside of a game which yours follows... does not entirely justiofy calling someone stealers.
My suggestion as I have been in this perdictument is to do research to others, investigate by yourself instead of assuming and who knows, you may just have to write a letter of apology to the company when all is said and done :)
About the author
#2
09/15/2009 (5:19 am)
Topic has been edited. 
#3
As you mentioned Tony Richards he was working with Renwerx back in 2005 on the game but quit the team back in July 2006 according to a blog he posted here.
Also the games that appear in the games in progress section aren't all things sponsored by GG, the old site format used to allow you to add your own company and game name there (I know our's is listed there!!). Not sure if the new design of the GG lets you do that anymore though.
I think in future perhaps you need to do a little more research before starting to accuse people of stealing things, I assume you'll drop them a message and appologize to them?
09/15/2009 (2:08 pm)
Actually Renworx have been working on their version of Ascension and using that name since back in 2005 and I believe it's based off of their Renegades MOD originally released for Tribes back in the late 90's. Given the dates they announced the name change before you were even a member of the GG site (unless you were originally registered with a different account). I don't see how you can accuse them of stealing anything seeing as they appear to have been around long before you claim to have been working on the game.As you mentioned Tony Richards he was working with Renwerx back in 2005 on the game but quit the team back in July 2006 according to a blog he posted here.
Also the games that appear in the games in progress section aren't all things sponsored by GG, the old site format used to allow you to add your own company and game name there (I know our's is listed there!!). Not sure if the new design of the GG lets you do that anymore though.
I think in future perhaps you need to do a little more research before starting to accuse people of stealing things, I assume you'll drop them a message and appologize to them?
#4
09/15/2009 (3:08 pm)
Robert, (forgive me for saying this but) your story is jumbled & your words are of ramble. It seems like you're trying to tell a 10 minute story in 30 seconds..without breathing.
#5
EB. Yes I do understand its a 30 second thing, BUT it is here to basically tell idnies not to give out names and details about a game unless they want the potential of someone stealing their work before they are released.
Andy: No, I wont drop them a message, actually I did along time ago about 2 year agop asking why their company stole bits and pieces from our website and the name....
09/15/2009 (8:26 pm)
As I said 2004 and things slowed down in 2005 - 2006 :P Andy please read all carefully. Yes, I was here as another name :) Thanks.EB. Yes I do understand its a 30 second thing, BUT it is here to basically tell idnies not to give out names and details about a game unless they want the potential of someone stealing their work before they are released.
Andy: No, I wont drop them a message, actually I did along time ago about 2 year agop asking why their company stole bits and pieces from our website and the name....
#6
You and I did have discussions about this in the MyDreamRPG IRC sometime last year... I think you were competing in the 1 year contest and I'd just won the 90 day contest. They went something like this:
You - "We're making a game called Ascension"
Me - "Really? The RenWerX guys are making a game with the same name."
You - "Is that a problem?"
Me - "I doubt it... neither of you trademarked the name, so nothing says you can't use it."
In short, unless you've trademarked a name, and with a simple name like Ascension, you're likely to run into conflicts and there's really nothing you can do about it.
But, just so you know, RenWerX did not steal anything from you... maybe you didn't realize this but in 2005 I was a part of the RenWerX development team and we went through a very very long process of choosing a name...
I was there when RenWerX decided on the name Ascension and trust me, it had absolutely nothing to do with a game we'd never heard about (which up until our conversation, I'd never heard about your game).
The name "Ascension" came from the fact that the game is an FPS+Z game and jetpacks are a huge portion of the game.
Honestly, I wouldn't take much stock in the Garage Games "Work in progress / made with Torque" games. None of my games made the list in spite of tons of blog entries, screen-shots and downloadable demos.
In other news...
If anyone really has a complaint, I think the Legends guys do... in the next few months two blockbuster movies based on the Legends back story will be released... you think they will get any credit whatsoever? Talk about stolen intellectual property...
09/16/2009 (12:06 am)
I think only the name is common and it was a coincidence that you both chose the name "Ascension". Your game design is significantly different from theirs, and that's what counts.You and I did have discussions about this in the MyDreamRPG IRC sometime last year... I think you were competing in the 1 year contest and I'd just won the 90 day contest. They went something like this:
You - "We're making a game called Ascension"
Me - "Really? The RenWerX guys are making a game with the same name."
You - "Is that a problem?"
Me - "I doubt it... neither of you trademarked the name, so nothing says you can't use it."
In short, unless you've trademarked a name, and with a simple name like Ascension, you're likely to run into conflicts and there's really nothing you can do about it.
But, just so you know, RenWerX did not steal anything from you... maybe you didn't realize this but in 2005 I was a part of the RenWerX development team and we went through a very very long process of choosing a name...
I was there when RenWerX decided on the name Ascension and trust me, it had absolutely nothing to do with a game we'd never heard about (which up until our conversation, I'd never heard about your game).
The name "Ascension" came from the fact that the game is an FPS+Z game and jetpacks are a huge portion of the game.
Honestly, I wouldn't take much stock in the Garage Games "Work in progress / made with Torque" games. None of my games made the list in spite of tons of blog entries, screen-shots and downloadable demos.
In other news...
If anyone really has a complaint, I think the Legends guys do... in the next few months two blockbuster movies based on the Legends back story will be released... you think they will get any credit whatsoever? Talk about stolen intellectual property...
#7
That is exactly what I thought was happening.
09/16/2009 (1:20 am)
Thanks for clearing the air Tony.That is exactly what I thought was happening.
#8
09/16/2009 (3:04 am)
Thanks tony :) much appreciated in clearing this up. it was just a coincidence. lol 
Torque Owner TheGasMan
G.A.S. [+others]
I'd like to read more if you care to share.