Dark Matter licencing - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Dark Matter licencing

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
astinus_of_palanthas
Nov 02, 2003 9:05:05 Since Gamma World d20 is out (S&S), how about DarkMatter, StarCraft and StarDtive?
#2
ranger_reg
Nov 04, 2003 2:33:31
Originally posted by Astinus of Palanthas

Since Gamma World d20 is out (S&S), how about DarkMatter, StarCraft and StarDtive?

First of all, StarCraft is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. Talk to them.

Dark*Matter and Star*Drive are IPs now owned by Wizards, and they take licensing very seriously. They're not going to give it to just the highest bidder all willy-nilly. That highest contract bidder must be very serious about supporting the IP that is licensed to them.

As of late, we don't know who are acquiring the licensing of the two IPs, and even if they are already in the process of negotiation, they tend NOT to be made public unless they're close to signing a deal.

For now, we can only speculate on who is the most appropriate candidate. If it was up to me, Dark*Matter should go to JD Wikers & The Game Mechanics, one of the leading game design company to support d20 Modern. JD Wiker is credited for several Alternity/Dark*Matter material.
#3
zombiegleemax
Nov 06, 2003 15:38:59 I just pray to the Almighty that it ain't Sword & Sorcery. They did a lousy job with Gamma World, and Ravenloft is starting to go down the tubes as well.
#4
ranger_reg
Nov 06, 2003 20:43:30 I beg to differ. I think it is their lousy marketing plan that they have for Gamma World. Nevertheless, Bruce Baugh did a good job.
#5
zombiegleemax
Nov 06, 2003 21:15:29 Edit: S&S rant deleted

Never mind. Kentucky bourbon and blue suede shoes just don't mix. Some things just don't matter in the grand scheme of things.

God Bless our troops overseas and bring them home to us safely.
#6
zombiegleemax
Jan 18, 2004 0:20:22 okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted...

Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights.

in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it.

As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes.
#7
zombiegleemax
Jan 18, 2004 5:34:11
Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo
okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted...

Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights.

in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it.

As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes.

Don't forget Wolfgang, Dark*Matter was his idea.

d20 Future (due Sept) is supposed to contain some elements of Star*Drive. In fact some of the S*D creatures have already appeared in the Modern Menace Manual.
#8
zombiegleemax
Jan 18, 2004 12:39:32 the Wolfgang comment is definately valid, mr Baur is awesome, and I hope to see more of his work in the future... assuming nothing has happened that im not aware of.

yes, I own the menace manual and was happy to see the inclusion of the Fraal, Werens, and the like. sure they dont have the classic descriptors but that doesnt bother me much.

for coolness sake, im glad to hear that d20 future includes some stardrive elements, but I still seriously doubt the full setting will ever be reintroduced... then again, I have of course been wrong before.
#9
zombiegleemax
Feb 16, 2004 3:39:35
Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo
As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes.

Ok, Lucasarts owns Star Wars, no doubts there, but Wizards owns Alternity and Star*Drive, since they bought out TSR. TSR created Star*Drive, so the IP is solely in Wizards' possession.

On the plus side, someone working on D20 Future already confirmed Star*Drive will be one of the campaign models in the book.
#10
ranger_reg
Feb 16, 2004 19:10:49
Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo

okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted...

Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights.

in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it.

If Monte Cook and his publishing company, Malhavoc Press, wants to do Dark*Matter, I would not object. It just that he got a full plate trying to promote his Diamond Throne line.

If he does it, it will be his first non-fantasy product to come out of Malhavoc Press.

As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes.

Heh. Have you got a trusted source inside LucasArts that stated that?

With all due respect, Wizards of the Coast was prepared to launch and promote two more licensed sci-fi product lines in 2000, if it weren't for the company restructuring and layoffs back then, not to mentioned the higher royalty payment for one of the license that they decline to meet.

Star*Drive, if not Star Frontier (another TSR's IP assets that WotC acquired), would make a good campaign model to promote d20 Future.

P.S. Oh, that two licensed products: Star Trek and Dune. But we know where they went, or rather gone.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 astinus_of_palanthas Nov 02, 2003 9:05:05	Since Gamma World d20 is out (S&S), how about DarkMatter, StarCraft and StarDtive?
#2 ranger_reg Nov 04, 2003 2:33:31	Originally posted by Astinus of Palanthas Since Gamma World d20 is out (S&S), how about DarkMatter, StarCraft and StarDtive? First of all, StarCraft is the property of Blizzard Entertainment. Talk to them. DarkMatter* and StarDrive* are IPs now owned by Wizards, and they take licensing very seriously. They're not going to give it to just the highest bidder all willy-nilly. That highest contract bidder must be very serious about supporting the IP that is licensed to them. As of late, we don't know who are acquiring the licensing of the two IPs, and even if they are already in the process of negotiation, they tend NOT to be made public unless they're close to signing a deal. For now, we can only speculate on who is the most appropriate candidate. If it was up to me, DarkMatter* should go to JD Wikers & The Game Mechanics, one of the leading game design company to support d20 Modern. JD Wiker is credited for several Alternity/DarkMatter* material.
#3 zombiegleemax Nov 06, 2003 15:38:59	I just pray to the Almighty that it ain't Sword & Sorcery. They did a lousy job with Gamma World, and Ravenloft is starting to go down the tubes as well.
#4 ranger_reg Nov 06, 2003 20:43:30	I beg to differ. I think it is their lousy marketing plan that they have for Gamma World. Nevertheless, Bruce Baugh did a good job.
#5 zombiegleemax Nov 06, 2003 21:15:29	Edit: S&S rant deleted Never mind. Kentucky bourbon and blue suede shoes just don't mix. Some things just don't matter in the grand scheme of things. God Bless our troops overseas and bring them home to us safely.
#6 zombiegleemax Jan 18, 2004 0:20:22	okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted... Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights. in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it. As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes.
#7 zombiegleemax Jan 18, 2004 5:34:11	Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted... Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights. in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it. As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes. Don't forget Wolfgang, DarkMatter was his idea. d20 Future (due Sept) is supposed to contain some elements of StarDrive. In fact some of the S*D creatures have already appeared in the Modern Menace Manual.
#8 zombiegleemax Jan 18, 2004 12:39:32	the Wolfgang comment is definately valid, mr Baur is awesome, and I hope to see more of his work in the future... assuming nothing has happened that im not aware of. yes, I own the menace manual and was happy to see the inclusion of the Fraal, Werens, and the like. sure they dont have the classic descriptors but that doesnt bother me much. for coolness sake, im glad to hear that d20 future includes some stardrive elements, but I still seriously doubt the full setting will ever be reintroduced... then again, I have of course been wrong before.
#9 zombiegleemax Feb 16, 2004 3:39:35	Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes. Ok, Lucasarts owns Star Wars, no doubts there, but Wizards owns Alternity and StarDrive, since they bought out TSR. TSR created StarDrive, so the IP is solely in Wizards' possession. On the plus side, someone working on D20 Future already confirmed Star*Drive will be one of the campaign models in the book.
#10 ranger_reg Feb 16, 2004 19:10:49	Originally posted by HyperactiveBuffalo okay, I love JD Wiker, hes a great guy and he runs an awesome company, ive purchased quite a few Game Mechanics items, and plan to support them even more in the future... but shouldnt Monte Cook get the Dark Matter license since.. oh... I dont know.... HE WROTE THE BLOODY THING?! sorry, sorry, over reacted... Monte Cook was the main writer for that beautiful setting, and I think he should get republication rights. in my opinion, the setting doesnt have to be changed a lick, its as poignant now as it was then, and all that needs done is a d20 version of all of the rules in it. If Monte Cook and his publishing company, Malhavoc Press, wants to do DarkMatter,* I would not object. It just that he got a full plate trying to promote his Diamond Throne line. If he does it, it will be his first non-fantasy product to come out of Malhavoc Press. As for Stardrive... it will never happen, wizards of the coast has licensing rights to Starwars, and stardrive. Lucasarts would either pull license, or sue if Wizards of the Coast gave anyone the opportunity to release the stardrive setting, its far to similar to the starwars license. at least in legal eyes. Heh. Have you got a trusted source inside LucasArts that stated that? With all due respect, Wizards of the Coast was prepared to launch and promote two more licensed sci-fi product lines in 2000, if it weren't for the company restructuring and layoffs back then, not to mentioned the higher royalty payment for one of the license that they decline to meet. StarDrive,* if not Star Frontier (another TSR's IP assets that WotC acquired), would make a good campaign model to promote d20 Future. P.S. Oh, that two licensed products: Star Trek and Dune. But we know where they went, or rather gone.