Game News Namco Bandai Sue CD Projekt RED Over The Witcher 2 DRM

[Jaesun]

Tags: CD Projekt; Witcher 2, The

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<p>Namco Bandai is apparently angry with CD Projekt RED for removing the DRM on <a href="http://af.gog.com/en/gamecard/the_witcher_2/?as=1649904300">The Witcher 2: &nbsp;Assassins of Kings</a>&nbsp;PC version without their permission. Additionally they are withholding almost $2 million in potato due to CD Projekt RED for choosing THQ as Publisher for the Xbox360 version. They also are suing them for other stuff <a href="http://www.giantbomb.com/news/namco-bandai-files-suit-against-the-witcher-2-developer-cd-projekt-red/3460/">Giant Bomb is reporting</a>:</p>
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<blockquote>
<p>When THQ announced it had obtained the European publishing rights to The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings for Xbox 360, that apparently surprised Namco Bandai, who had signed a distribution deal with developer CD Projekt Red for the European release of the PC version.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Atari will be publishing The Witcher II on Xbox 360 here in the US. Complicating matters, Atari Europe was acquired by Namco Bandai in 2009, gobbling up Atari's European distribution.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Namco Bandai is also arguing CD Projekt Red broke its contract with Namco Bandai by removing DRM from the PC version of the game without its permission.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>Naturally, Optimus and CD Projekt Red believe both are in the clear.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>"Namco's claims are unfounded," reads the statement.&nbsp;</p>
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<p>As a consequence of the lawsuit, Namco Bandai is withholding payments of 1,225,000 Euros (roughly $1.75 million dollars).&nbsp;</p>
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<p>"In the opinion of the [Optimus] management board, Namco consequently claim the desire to continue cooperation in the distribution [of] CDP RED products after the recent release of games released on PC, due to the expected potential sales of this title for console Xbox 360," concluded the company. (Also, I blame Google Translate for the awkward phrasing.)</p>
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<p>$1.75 Million is a lot of potato.</p>
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<p>Spotted at: <a href="http://www.gamebanshee.com/news/103810-cd-projekt-red-sued-over-the-witcher-2s-drm-removal.html">GameBanshee</a></p>

 

[Excidium]

Poland will not let this stand.

 

[Mister Arkham]

Developer does the right thing; publisher flips the fuck out. Film at eleven.

 

[ArcturusXIV]

Withholding? I smell a counter-suit.

 

[MicoSelva]

Withholding? I smell a counter-suit.

This.

Also, what country is Namco-Bandai from? None important, I presume. Poland should invade them!

 

[Sulimo]

<p>"In the opinion of the [Optimus] management board, Namco consequently claim the desire to continue cooperation in the distribution [of] CDP RED products after the recent release of games released on PC, due to the expected potential sales of this title for console Xbox 360," concluded the company. (Also, I blame Google Translate for the awkward phrasing.)

Namco: "You scummy potato cost us money, giev money!"
CDPR: "... no."
Namco: "Nothing personal, we would like to continue our partnership so we can make more money!"
CDRP: " "

 

[foobie42]

Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa

☭

 

[Drakron]

It looks this is some kind of retaliation from CD Project going with THQ and Atrai instead for them for the XBox 360.

 

[made]

Spotted at Gamebanshee huh? First you move my thread then you post it as news. Faggot.

 

[Canus]

That's Mr. News Faggot to you.

 

[Konjad]

Jaesun is acting weirdly since some time now.

 

[DakaSha]

faggots stole my news as well. bastards

now sex me

 

[BumChums]

Fucking japs

 

[Forest Dweller]

I guess those japs didn't think two nukes were enough?

 

[Excommunicator]

Looks like CD Projekt have done everything within their rights, and made a wise decision shopping around for publishing.

The Witcher 2 was obviously a significant success for them, and even though (not having played it) it sounds like it isn't much of an RPG beyond the C&C, growth of any kind in the European games market that isn't at the servitude of the publisher can only mean better opportunities for people trying to start new game studios, and more chances for interesting game concepts in the future

 

[DwarvenFood]

Polska Rzeczpospolita Ludowa

☭

Wszystko od nowa, wszystko od nowa.

 

[RK47]

They were late in pursuing this matter, which made me realize Namco must not be paying attention to what is going on.

 

[Shannow]

Well, they might have a case with the removal of DRM via patch. Depends on what the contracts say. But I very much doubt they have any case with CDP's choice of publisher...

Also:
Bandai throwing an infantile tantrum, costing CDP millions and then going "hey, we cool?" really is retarded. I see bad times for them.

 

[Shannow]

Internal server error can be deleted

 

[ArcturusXIV]

I'm really impressed with fortitude developers show when they continue screwing after they've already got their dick in the toaster.

Long live Witcher.

 

[DraQ]

I guess those japs didn't think two nukes were enough?

: x


Also, we, of the potato, will retaliate by pirating, instead of buying, all Namco Fag-gai games in the foreseeable future.

Oh, wait, we already do.

Not that they are worth the hassle being consolefag crap anyway.

 

[Darkforge]

I am disappoint.

Here i thought Namco where taking a turn for the better with picking up Witcher 2, Distributing PAL Demon souls and developing Tekken Tag Tournament 2.

Now this ...

/facepalm

 

[Jaesun]

HALP CODEX! I AM TOO FUCKING STUPID AND CANNOT CLICK A BUTTAN AND WRITE TEXT! OMG!! I AM SO BUTTHURT! OMG!

 

[PrzeSzkoda]

This lawsuit seems derp because the information is mistranslated.

Namco claims thier distribution contract stated that they were to be given precedence before any other distributor for the Xbox360 version. The Optimus CEO Kiciński doublespeaks his way out if it, saying that the distribution deal concerned the PC version only BUT that Namco was indeed given the option of being their preferred Xbox360 distributor but did not act on the option of preferential treatment (exact words he uses, lawl. Lawspeak baloney). He seems pretty damn sure it'll all end in a pre-litigation settlement or Optimus winning the lawsuit.

The DRM stuff is right, though. Namco is butthurt. They might have a strong case with this bit if they can prove that removing the DRM was 1) breach of contract (dunno, we'd have to see the contract), 2) resulted in financial loss on their part (although this might be really difficult to prove).

In short: not enough info to be sure who's in the right.

 

[The Pleasure]

​​

 

[made]

HALP CODEX! I AM TOO FUCKING STUPID AND CANNOT CLICK A BUTTAN AND WRITE TEXT! OMG!! I AM SO BUTTHURT! OMG!

Wow, you really have turned into a gigantic faggot. What happened? Are you so starved for cock up your ass that you can't think straight anymore?