Game News Bad News: Chaos Chronicles development on hold due to legal trouble with bitComposer

[goo golem]

This is just depressing.

 

[evdk]

MetalCraze must be made aware of this!

Way ahead of you.

 

[HobGoblin42]

"The first casualty of War is Truth"

During a 5 hours meeting, we've discussed and negotiated every detail of a final agreement between bitComposer and Coreplay for realizing a completion of Chaos Chronicles.
We wrote all those terms and conditions into a contract and at the end of this meeting day, both parties agreed to those terms.
Unfortunately (and surprisingly) bitComposer rejected to sign this agreement on this day because they still wanted to clarify an open issue regarding the tax. But before leaving our office, they've promised us to check this issue as soon as possible to make a final signment possible in the next days.

This was two month ago and we haven't heard back from them since then.


In their recent statement to the petition, they mentioned a meeting last week (24th July). But they did not mention the fact that they already announced not to sign anything in that meeting. That's why we haven't attend it, because we don't have time for this 'play for time' bullshit anymore.


And for the records: the main reason for this dispute was the controversy about an early release of Chaos Chronicles in March 2013. A release at this time would have led to horrible consequences for the game regarding its quality, content and stability.
Since bitComposer rejected to invest more money into our game, we had to get the money elsewhere. Throwing an unfinished and crappy game on the market was no option for us and that's why we had no other choice than borrowing money from third parties to continue the development and completion of our game. We wanted to release this particular game as it was intended, because otherwise we wouldn't get a second chance to create such a game again.

At some point, you have to fight for your creative work, no matter what financial and legal consequences it could cause. Otherwise you would give up your work and all dreams you had.

And before we release a game like 'Citadels' (which was definitely released before its completion), we prefer not release a game at all.

 

[Stabwound]

"The first casualty of War is Truth"

During a 5 hours meeting, we've discussed and negotiated every detail of a final agreement between bitComposer and Coreplay for realizing a completion of Chaos Chronicles.
We wrote all those terms and conditions into a contract and at the end of this meeting day, both parties agreed to those terms.
Unfortunately (and surprisingly) bitComposer rejected to sign this agreement on this day because they still wanted to clarify an open issue regarding the tax. But before leaving our office, they've promised us to check this issue as soon as possible to make a final signment possible in the next days.

This was two month ago and we haven't heard back from them since then.


In their recent statement to the petition, they mentioned a meeting last week (24th July). But they did not mention the fact that they already announced not to sign anything in that meeting. That's why we haven't attend it, because we don't have time for this 'play for time' bullshit anymore.


And for the records: the main reason for this dispute was the controversy about an early release of Chaos Chronicles in March 2013. A release at this time would have led to horrible consequences for the game regarding its quality, content and stability.
Since bitComposer rejected to invest more money into our game, we had to get the money elsewhere. Throwing an unfinished and crappy game on the market was no option for us and that's why we had no other choice than borrowing money from third parties to continue the development and completion of our game. We wanted to release this particular game as it was intended, because otherwise we wouldn't get a second chance to create such a game again.

At some point, you have to fight for your creative work, no matter what financial and legal consequences it could cause. Otherwise you would give up your work and all dreams you had.

And before we release a game like 'Citadels' (which was released way before its completion), we prefer not release a game at all.

If this is true, I can only brofist you. You have my respect here, and I really hope there is some way this game will see the light of day, some day.

 

[Grunker]

And for the records: the main reason for this dispute was the controversy about an early release of Chaos Chronicles in March 2013. A release at this time would have led to horrible consequences for the game regarding its quality, content and stability.
Since bitComposer rejected to invest more money into our game, we had to get the money elsewhere. Throwing an unfinished and crappy game on the market was no option for us and that's why we had no other choice than borrowing money from third parties to continue the development and completion of our game. We wanted to release this particular game as it was intended, because otherwise we wouldn't get a second chance to create such a game again.

Excuse me Hob, but please correct me if I got any of this wrong. I am trying to understand completely what you're saying here:

You make a deal with bitComposer. They give you an amount of money, and for that amount of money, you promise to make a game. You then run out of said money, they demand you release the game, and you refuse.

Is that correct? While I admire your determination to get this game finished properly (I'd like to play that game!), what you're saying here is that you broke the deal with bC? I find it a bit difficult to be mad at someone for not paying more money than they promised. They're not a charity.

EDIT: Or did bC not pay you what they promised and therefore demanded early release? Or what?

 

[HobGoblin42]

Excuse me Hob, but please correct me if I got any of this wrong. I am trying to understand completely what you're saying here:

You make a deal with bitComposer. They give you an amount of money, and for that amount of money, you promise to make a game. You then run out of said money, they demand you release the game, and you refuse.

Is that correct? While I admire your determination to get this game finished properly (I'd like to play that game!), what you're saying here is that you broke the deal with bC?

No, it's not. And it's far more complicated. First: the game didn't start a this scope, second: our previous project plays a role in that disaster. But the situation became finally worst when bitComposer stopped their payments (milestone payments of the original, agreed development budget).

 

[JarlFrank]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

 

[Grunker]

Excuse me Hob, but please correct me if I got any of this wrong. I am trying to understand completely what you're saying here:

You make a deal with bitComposer. They give you an amount of money, and for that amount of money, you promise to make a game. You then run out of said money, they demand you release the game, and you refuse.

Is that correct? While I admire your determination to get this game finished properly (I'd like to play that game!), what you're saying here is that you broke the deal with bC?

No, it's not. And it's far more complicated. First: the game didn't start a this scope, second: our previous project plays a role in that disaster. But the situation became finally worst when bitComposer stopped their payments (milestone payments of the original, agreed development budget).

Ah, I see. Thanks!

So:

1) Who decided to increase the scope? Did bC agree to that?

2) Surely everyone agreed that an increase a scope would mean an increase in budget. Was this ever discussed?

3) Jagged Alliance played a role? How?

4) So they stopped the funds because they believed you hadn't reached a milestone, while you hold that you did?

It seems like quite the complicated affair, just trying to get the facts straight.

 

[HobGoblin42]

It seems like quite the complicated affair, just trying to get the facts straight.

Yes, indeed it is. And possibly I will answer your questions in a post mortem some day. But for now, I have to take care about our new project.

 

[Jashiin]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

0

 

[HobGoblin42]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

 

[Crooked Bee]

Heh, looking forward to the postmortem - although I'd rather be looking forward to the game.

 

[JarlFrank]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

 

[Darth Roxor]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

Ouch.

 

[Infinitron]

 

[Jashiin]

New project.

Wake us up when it's in the store please and not a minute sooner.

 

[Monty]

Was looking forward to this.

Perhaps In 10 years time this will produce a decent 'Sirtech thread'.

 

[Grunker]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

And so much work done. Damn.

This is probably the saddest I've ever been to see a video game discontinued.

 

[JarlFrank]

So... what are the actual chances of this project being continued?

And so much work done. Damn.

This is probably the saddest I've ever been to see a video game discontinued.

Well, what can I say... I've been looking forward to having the questline I worked on implemented in the game.

 

[Gakkone]

Fuck.

 

[Stabwound]

Yes, indeed it is. And possibly I will answer your questions in a post mortem some day. But for now, I have to take care about our new project.

 

[Diablo169]

If you work with a publisher you jump through the hoops they lay out for you. You can't afford pride or Doublefine pie in the sky self indulgence when you are playing with someone else's money. Never mind a government grant.

Sad to see this wont be released, but I wont start shouting evil publisher in this case either. Seems like there's plenty shenanigans on both sides.

 

[Darth Roxor]

Well, what can I say... I've been looking forward to having the questline I worked on implemented in the game.

Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me why it's good that this game won't see the light of day

 

[Burning Bridges]

It seems like quite the complicated affair, just trying to get the facts straight.

Yes, indeed it is. And possibly I will answer your questions in a post mortem some day. But for now, I have to take care about our new project.

Hopefully that new project combines (the) traditional turn-based roleplaying games with a state-of-the-art graphic engine and a dense atmosphere.

 

[Jashiin]

May shitcomposer burn in hell. Such a long list.