Company News It's mine I want it: Hasbro goes after Atari for DnD rights

[DarkUnderlord]

Tags: Atari

It's *cough* MMO *cough* related <a href="http://kotaku.com/5428864/hasbro-sues-atari-over-dd-license-atari-responds">but fun anyway</a>:
<br>
<blockquote>Hasbro, the owners of Dungeons & Dragons through wholly-owned subsidiary Wizards of the Coast, alleges that Atari may have entered into an unauthorized sublicensing agreement with Namco Bandai Partners. Atari sold it PAL distribution arm to Namco Bandai partners earlier this year, which could very well be one of the causes for Hasbro's concern. Hasbro maintains that a sublicensing agreement with Namco Bandai, one of Hasbro's competitors, is strictly prohibited under the D&D licensing contract.
<br>
[...]
<br>
"Atari has had a long and rich history with the Dungeons and Dragons franchise, investing millions of dollars into numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful games that have generated significant revenue for Hasbro. Hasbro has resorted to these meritless allegations, in an apparent attempt to unfairly take back rights granted to Atari. Atari has sought to resolve the matter without cooperation from Hasbro. We regret that our long-time partner has decided to pursue this action. Atari will respond appropriately through its legal counsel in court."</blockquote>
<br>
Atari's 10 year licensing contract for the rights (which NWN2 apparently was made under) may now be doubt.
<br>
<br>
Thanks <b>Ausir</b>!

 

[Ausir]

Maybe if Atari loses, Bethesda will get the license and make Baldur's Gate 3: Oblivion with Hamsters?

 

[Kaanyrvhok]

Rather Bethesda than Atari. The best thing would be a non-exclusive agreement.

 

[J1M]

The best thing would be the PAL teams not turning D&D games into Final Fantasy.

 

[Chinese Jetpilot]

Hopefully this will be like the Iran-Iraq war with both sides suffering greatly.

 

[oldmanpaco]

Besides NWN2 what other games have been made with this license? Was NWN1?

 

[Redeye]

Besides NWN2 what other games have been made with this license? Was NWN1?

TOEE.

 

[kazgar]

I await our eberron based games with barely restrained glee.

 

[Gold]

I await our eberron based games with barely restrained glee.

Is that ever going to happen?

I mean I was ecstatic when Eberron was released, but that was what almost 5 years ago?

 

[Grunker]

I await our eberron based games with barely restrained glee.

Is that ever going to happen?

I mean I was ecstatic when Eberron was released, but that was what almost 5 years ago?

There's at least two Eberron games out, and they both suck. Dragonshard and D&D Online.

But since the setting also sucks, that's hardly a surprise.

 

[Andhaira]

Yeah, Eberron sucks.

 

[thesheeep]

What's up with all that law-shit lately?

 

[Jaesun]

What's up with all that law-shit lately?

Indeed.

Granted... I have had a bit to drink tonight.... what the fuck does this mean? That Hasbro will lose the D&D or something?

 

[Melcar]

Hasbro is suing because Atari sold some shit that Hasbro says they weren't suppose to sell.

 

[VentilatorOfDoom]

judging by the tremendous number of DnD games released in the last 7-8 years, I wonder if it's really a bad thing if Atari would lose the license

 

[Vaarna_Aarne]

Now we'll see who has the better saving throw.

 

[Carlos' Bitch1]

What's up with all that law-shit lately?

A large number of companies suffering financial strain. Might as well see if you can grab a big chunk of money. Looks wonderful on the books.

 

[Kraszu]

It would great if they would stop using the fucking D&D, it is so fucking boring to have almost all games using the same system, and it is not even good.

 

[Kaanyrvhok]

Namco Bandai should be more of a competitor with Atari than Hasbro. Afterall they are both video game companies. Thats the conventional logic, but isnt Namco Bandai in the cheesy anime pen and paper and RPG card game bizz? I dont know but I think they are. Now if thats the case then yes they are competitiors with Hasbro.

The real underlining problem as I see it is that Hasbro is selfish and short sighted. Atari finally reckoned with their short commings.They are too broke, conservative, and they lack a strong pool of devs not only that 4E is kinda emo-anime/MMOish. It would stand to reason that a publisher like Namco Bandai could do more with the license than they. As a matter of fact I would bet anything that a Soul Caliber engine game with Forgotten Realms characters as a PS 4/Xbox whatever launch title would be bigger than anything Atari could ever muster. Hasbro should be in position to profit from a big game of that such but their relationship with Atari is basically “You pay us and make a few D&D games, so what if Oblivion outsells them all”.

 

[Morgoth]

Guess Obsidian will deliver us another Jefferson.

 

[Melcar]

Without reading the contract no one can say. Usually parent companies put severe restrictions on sub-licensing.

 

[dx__]

Maybe if Atari loses, Bethesda will get the license and make Baldur's Gate 3: Oblivion with Hamsters?

Just imagine an epic adventure set in the perspective of Boo.

 

[Pablosdog]

They should make a Mouseguard rpg, there I said it. Fuck you.

 

[deuxhero]

Rather Bethesda than Atari. The best thing would be a non-exclusive agreement.

works decently enough for Star Wars.

I await our eberron based games with barely restrained glee.

Is that ever going to happen?

I mean I was ecstatic when Eberron was released, but that was what almost 5 years ago?

There's at least two Eberron games out, and they both suck. Dragonshard and D&D Online.

But since the setting also sucks, that's hardly a surprise.

Don't both of the games replicate the setting about as well as the Wolverine movie did Deadpool?

 

[MisterStone]

Cool story (Has)bro