Bethesda sues Interplay over Fallout Online : Fallout Series Discussion

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:07 am

People who bought Fallout on Steam will be really pissed off when their copies stop working. Unlike the ones who bought it from GOG, which has no DRM.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:43 pm

People who bought Fallout on Steam will be really pissed off when their copies stop working. Unlike the ones who bought it from GOG, which has no DRM.

At least they'll get a refund.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:16 pm

People who bought Fallout on Steam will be really pissed off when their copies stop working. Unlike the ones who bought it from GOG, which has no DRM..

"When"? Why would you even start some rumors based on nothing but your negative bias and conjecture?

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:52 pm

"When"? Why would you even start some rumors based on nothing but your negative bias and conjecture?

When Bethesda wins the lawsuit (and it's more of a "when" than "if"), Steam will be legally required to stop supporting Fallout they licensed from Interplay. It's not a negative bias. Copies bought from GOG will still work because they contain no DRM, but users won't be able to redownload them, like they would if they were still available.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:34 am

"When"? Why would you even start some rumors based on nothing but your negative bias and conjecture?

Because it will happen, Steam won't be eternal and the copies being deactivated or whatever as the result of the lawsuit is a possibility. Also it's because Ausir gets kick backs from GOG.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 4:26 pm

Also it's because Ausir gets kick backs from GOG.

Huh?

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:35 pm

Couldn't Bethesda just put the originals on Steam? Or can they not do that.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 3:25 pm

Was a joke, Ausir

Fit well with him accusing you of starting vile, incendiary rumours.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:37 pm

When Bethesda wins the lawsuit (and it's more of a "when" than "if"), Steam will be legally required to stop supporting Fallout they licensed from Interplay. It's not a negative bias. Copies bought from GOG will still work because they contain no DRM, but users won't be able to redownload them, like they would if they were still available.

Well, if that's the case then Steam will likely provide refunds for those purchases. Steam would even have grounds to sue if it costs them any serious damages.

Of course this is all based on the presumption that the titles will never be able to be sold again, which is more conjecture. If Bethesda winds up with full control then I don't see it being an issue at all.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:34 am

Couldn't Bethesda just put the originals on Steam? Or can they not do that.

They might not have the full rights to the originals (e.g. only rights to the content, but not the engine, code, etc.), which would mean that the games are in legal limbo. Although it's possible that they'll end up buying full rights from Interplay or will get them as part of settlement.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:37 pm

They might not have the full rights to the originals (e.g. only rights to the content, but not the engine, code, etc.), which would mean that the games are in legal limbo. Although it's possible that they'll end up buying full rights from Interplay or will get them as part of settlement.

Alright, I just don't think everybody who bought them over steam should be punished because of something that has nothing to do with them.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 9:53 pm

Well, if that's the case then Steam will likely provide refunds for those purchases.

They probably will. But the buyers will still be unable to continue playing their purchased games, which is still quite frustrating.

Steam would even have grounds to sue if it costs them any serious damages.

Of course.

Of course this is all based on the presumption that the titles will never be able to be sold again, which is more conjecture.

I'm not saying they will necessarily never be sold again. But Steam will likely need to remove them at least temporarily, until they license them again from Bethesda.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 11:05 am

Alright, I just don't think everybody who bought them over steam should be punished because of something that has nothing to do with them.

Steam is very good about providing refunds. No one will be 'punished'.

I'm not saying they will necessarily never be sold again. But Steam will likely need to remove them at least temporarily, until they license them again from Bethesda.

This is probably something that would occur in the background, with maybe a new EULA/TOS to agree to when the names change.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:56 pm

Steam is very good about providing refunds. No one will be 'punished'.

This is probably something that would occur in the background, with maybe a new EULA/TOS to agree to when the names change.

In the sense of not being able to play the originals

.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:12 am

Steam is very good about providing refunds. No one will be 'punished'.

Even if I got a refund, I wouldn't be very happy if I weren't able to finish a game I purchased because of a lawsuit.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 5:15 pm

In the sense of not being able to play the originals

.

Everyone that loves the series owes it to themselves to procure original hard copies, complete with manuals!

Even if I got a refund, I wouldn't be very happy if I weren't able to finish a game I purchased because of a lawsuit.

Me either, but stuff happens. If Steam came to me and said 'sorry, but Interplay provided us with an unapproved version of the software that wasn't licensed to be distributed and we were duped into thinking it was' then I'd understand.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:50 am

This is probably something that would occur in the background, with maybe a new EULA/TOS to agree to when the names change.

It might take some time (if ever), from Interplay being ordered to stop selling the originals to Bethesda getting the full rights and licensing them out. And for that time, Steam would be legally obliged to remove/deactivate them.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:40 am

Me either, but stuff happens. If Steam came to me and said 'sorry, but Interplay provided us with an unapproved version of the software that wasn't licensed to be distributed and we were duped into thinking it was' then I'd understand.

Sort of amusing though, not being able to play a game you've paid for and that needs no external services.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 10:29 pm

Sort of amusing though, not being able to play a game you've paid for and that needs no external services.

This is a problem with the distribution platform, not the game or whose name is on it. It's also entirely plausible they will make already sold copies still available to play and just not sell any new ones until it's worked out.

Not to mention that Steam games can be played in Offline Mode, requiring no contact with the Steam service.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:21 pm

This is a problem with the distribution platform, not the game or whose name is on it. It's also entirely plausible they will make already sold copies still available to play and just not sell any new ones until it's worked out.

Wow, really ? I know it's a problem with Steam - a manageable one for some I suppose. That'd seem the most likely solution though, and one to not expose a flaw, that or refund and grant a credit for when/if it returns, I suppose

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 4:39 pm

I doubt they will want to keep supporting a game they aren't allow to sell. Not to mention Bethesda might actually tell them to drop support for the already purchased copies.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:47 pm

I doubt they will want to keep supporting a game they aren't allow to sell. Not to mention Bethesda might actually tell them to drop support for the already purchased copies.

Considering Bethesda already works with Steam, I don't see that happening.

But someone did post a snippet:

I can't speak for other digital distribution platforms, but games aren't removed from Steam. They may be removed from the store so that no one else can buy them, but for anyone who already owns them, they stay in your account, and remain available from the download servers indefinitely.

Which was my first thought as well.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 6:30 pm

I always hate things like this.
It always makes the person look like a money grubbing stinky face.
Or at least to me.
To me there's just something negative about this kind of thing...probably because it's abused so often.
I don't know the details of this.....so I can't really say this ISN'T or IS justified....
It's just always my first reaction when I hear the word SUE in anything.
A roll of the eyes....and an annoyed sigh.

Regardless....my snap judgment is probably in the wrong.

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:30 am

Given that we're near the post limit, let's continue here:

http://www.gamesas.com/bgsforums/index.php?showtopic=1038834

» Sun Aug 01, 2010 7:12 am

Thanks Ausir