63 replies to this topic

[Tickdoff Tank]

*******, on 26 April 2013 - 06:01 AM, said:

Yes and no.
The copyright legalities have been cleared and the "Reseen" are available to included once again in the Battletech Universe through the medium of print (and maybe miniatures), as owned by Catalyst Games.

At this time, I do not believe PGI has permission to use the Reseen IP. I believe they might petition for it, but I think they will have to present a case for the transfer of IP from the medium(s) of print and miniatures(?), to a digital modeling represented in a video game, freely distributed.

One more thing to consider: Even if "The copyright legalities have been cleared and the "Reseen" are available to included once again in the Battletech Universe through the medium of print (and maybe miniatures), as owned by Catalyst Games." That does not mean that HG can not find a way to sue. HG has previously used the "sue everybody and hope something sticks" tactic, and even if it is unsuccessful it can cost the defendant some serious cash.

Due to the possible threat of a nuisance lawsuit, many people are (rightfully) gun shy about using the reseen designs. Even if the cost of getting the initial lawsuit thrown out is not that high, it would still require a lot of time and effort to have it done.

I can not really blame PGI for simply ignoring the reseen.

[Phoenix Gray]

Eddrick, on 25 April 2013 - 04:34 PM, said:

Not sure what the stance is on the "Reseen". But, it does look a lot like MWO's Catapult.

A MiniCat? A Kitty?

[Oppresor]

I think it's important that we get the Flea with its full speed realised. This is it's major advantage and to deprive it of that would make it just like any other light unit. If PGI get it right, the Flea could introduce the concept of a 'Light Mech Hunter Killer'. A light unit capable of taking on and killing things like the Jenner, which up until now have effectively been the superiority fighter in MWO.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

Oppresor, on 26 April 2013 - 12:34 PM, said:

I think it's important that we get the Flea with its full speed realised. This is it's major advantage and to deprive it of that would make it just like any other light unit. If PGI get it right, the Flea could introduce the concept of a 'Light Mech Hunter Killer'. A light unit capable of taking on and killing things like the Jenner, which up until now have effectively been the superiority fighter in MWO.

Full speed? It's as fast as a commando AKA slow as mollassis in light mech terms. If I wanted to go 150 kph with a 200 kph MASC burst speed I'd pick any other chassis over te 20 ton Flea. Unless of course you mean the Flea 14 varient which had armor so light a machine gun would do serious damage to it.

[Utilyan]

TungstenWall, on 25 April 2013 - 07:08 PM, said:

Flea Hero:
The Eater of Worlds
LA: 1MG, 1SML
LT: 1MG ammo, CASE
CT: 1 ML
RT:
RA: 1MG, 1SML

First thing i'd do...........take the lasers off and put flamers. MG/Flamer flea!

===
Fire Ant - A vicious anti-infantry variant, the Fire Ant's origin is a mystery, though it was first seen sometime after 3058 and disappeared after 3068. Possibly the predecessor to the 19 and 20, the Fire Ant removed a half ton of armor in favor of six Machine Guns and three Flamers.^[5] BV (2.0) = 332^[14]
===


EDIT: The next thing i'd do is try to put AC cannon, small laser, slowest engine and make a mini-urbanmech!

Edited by Utilyan, 26 April 2013 - 01:40 PM.

[DirePhoenix]

*******, on 26 April 2013 - 06:01 AM, said:

Yes and no.
The copyright legalities have been cleared and the "Reseen" are available to included once again in the Battletech Universe through the medium of print (and maybe miniatures), as owned by Catalyst Games.

At this time, I do not believe PGI has permission to use the Reseen IP. I believe they might petition for it, but I think they will have to present a case for the transfer of IP from the medium(s) of print and miniatures(?), to a digital modeling represented in a video game, freely distributed.

PGI does not have the rights to use ANY art used in ANY sourcebook. They do not have the rights for the "Unseen" art. They also do not have the rights to use the "non-Unseen" art*. All of the art in MWO has to be new original art created exclusively for use in MWO.

ALL of the art for current and upcoming 'Mechs *IS* new and original art created exclusively for use in MWO.

Take a look at that Catapult in the background image of these forums. Does that look like any version of the Catapult seen in any sourcebook? No. That is new and original art. As is every 'mech in this game. Centurion? New art. Trebuchet? New art. Orion? New art. Even the "iconic" Atlas is new and original art.

It does not matter if the 'mech is Unseen, Re-Seen, or AlwaysSeen, PGI has to create new art in order to have any 'mech in this game.

So with that being said, there is also no reason they cannot create new art for the "unseen" and put it in the game. The only thing that was ever in contention with them was the art used to originally portray them. Not the names, not the stats, not the weapons loadout/hardpoint capabilities, not anything to do with the 'mech itself, just the original art. Easy solution: DON'T USE THAT ART. Done. They can't use any prior-existing art anyway.


*Also FYI, Not even Catalyst Games owns the rights for the art they use in their sourcebooks. They license the art from Topps, who has the right to all BattleTech/MechWarrior imagery in print media.

Edited by DirePhoenix, 26 April 2013 - 02:00 PM.

[Daneel Hazen]

It looks more like if an ipod and praying mantis mated...

[TungstenWall]

DirePhoenix, on 26 April 2013 - 01:56 PM, said:

PGI does not have the rights to use ANY art used in ANY sourcebook. They do not have the rights for the "Unseen" art. They also do not have the rights to use the "non-Unseen" art*. All of the art in MWO has to be new original art created exclusively for use in MWO.

ALL of the art for current and upcoming 'Mechs *IS* new and original art created exclusively for use in MWO.

Take a look at that Catapult in the background image of these forums. Does that look like any version of the Catapult seen in any sourcebook? No. That is new and original art. As is every 'mech in this game. Centurion? New art. Trebuchet? New art. Orion? New art. Even the "iconic" Atlas is new and original art.

It does not matter if the 'mech is Unseen, Re-Seen, or AlwaysSeen, PGI has to create new art in order to have any 'mech in this game.

So with that being said, there is also no reason they cannot create new art for the "unseen" and put it in the game. The only thing that was ever in contention with them was the art used to originally portray them. Not the names, not the stats, not the weapons loadout/hardpoint capabilities, not anything to do with the 'mech itself, just the original art. Easy solution: DON'T USE THAT ART. Done. They can't use any prior-existing art anyway.


*Also FYI, Not even Catalyst Games owns the rights for the art they use in their sourcebooks. They license the art from Topps, who has the right to all BattleTech/MechWarrior imagery in print media.

Still it is possible that some 1 may attempt to sue PGI. Doubt they could ever win against PGI because of the complete facelift, BUT PGI cannot afford to be going to court, especially not now. That takes time and money, and a larger company could potentially bankrupt PGI, regardless if they win or lose court-cases.

[TOGSolid]

I'd be totally ok driving a mech with a cannon for a ****.

[stjobe]

Ozric, on 25 April 2013 - 04:32 PM, said:

It's the amount of win. The game can't handle that amount of win in such a tiny mech right now.

[DirePhoenix]

TungstenWall, on 26 April 2013 - 08:31 PM, said:

Still it is possible that some 1 may attempt to sue PGI. Doubt they could ever win against PGI because of the complete facelift, BUT PGI cannot afford to be going to court, especially not now. That takes time and money, and a larger company could potentially bankrupt PGI, regardless if they win or lose court-cases.

There is no case if they're using new art, which is what they're using for everything in this game (Topps would have a case against PGI if they were trying to use actual sourcebook art for MWO's 'mechs, even for the non-unseen). Also, these 'mechs should not continue to be "unseen" out of fear that someone "might" try to pursue legal action (that's how you let the terrorists win), especially where they have no grounds. The 'mechs themselves are far more important to the franchise than the images originally used to present them. The entire franchise benefits from creating and promoting their own in-house images to use and build on rather than trying to license someone else's work that wasn't even created for this game.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

You doubted me! You all laughed at me! I was correct and am overjoyed at the return of the glorious unseen battlemechs.

All hail the Locust! All hail the unseen!

Edited by Narcissistic Martyr, 25 June 2013 - 01:08 PM.

[stjobe]

Narcissistic Martyr, on 25 June 2013 - 01:00 PM, said:

You doubted me! You all laughed at me! I was correct and am overjoyed at the return of the glorious unseen battlemechs.

All hail the Locust! All hail the unseen!

Just to pick nits, these aren't the Unseen, but the Reseen. The likelihood of a Warhammer or Marauder, Wasp or Stinger, Crusader or Archer is still close to zero.

[Narcissistic Martyr]

stjobe, on 25 June 2013 - 01:10 PM, said:

Just to pick nits, these aren't the Unseen, but the Reseen. The likelihood of a Warhammer or Marauder, Wasp or Stinger, Crusader or Archer is still close to zero.

Nits successfully picked my good sir.

[TexAce]

Phoenix Gray, on 25 April 2013 - 04:01 PM, said:

The Locust is an Unseen design and will never happen unless you want to spring for the trademark lawsuit legal bills.

ahem....

[Charlie Brumfield]

lol in for a phoenix overlord

[Tennex]

Narcissistic Martyr, on 25 June 2013 - 01:00 PM, said:

You doubted me! You all laughed at me! I was correct and am overjoyed at the return of the glorious unseen battlemechs.

All hail the Locust! All hail the unseen!

i don't think you really predicted tthis though.

since the flea is still coming out.

[Sporklift]

Well at least it will have something it can fight at equal tonnage.

[Tennex]

Sporklift, on 25 June 2013 - 06:40 PM, said:

Well at least it will have something it can fight at equal tonnage.

i'm very curious how they will size these things.

[Jenkss]

Narcissistic Martyr, on 25 June 2013 - 01:00 PM, said:

You doubted me! You all laughed at me! I was correct and am overjoyed at the return of the glorious unseen battlemechs.

All hail the Locust! All hail the unseen!

You have no idea how glad I am you are correct. The Locust would have to be my fav. light mech.

So glad that it's going to make it into the game.

All hail the Locust.

(I'll still run a Flea in the interim, but bring it on!)