Limbo of the Lost - ripping off other games

[nazeil]

I thought this was both funny, and kind of sad. Thought I'd pass the link around.

http://www.gameplasma.com/limbo_of_the_lost_or_oblivion/

[cookepuss]

That's kinda shameless, actually. I don't know if they're ripping the D3D/OGL data stream to a file and then simply changing stuff around. Either way, it's kinda sleezy. Still, consumers can tell the difference between the ripoffs and the real deals. It reminds me of this: http://drawn.ca/2008/01/02/cringeworthy-animated-rip-offs/

[Ramseus]

I don't see it, they're completely different!


/if your sarcasm detector isn't going off, I think you need a new one

[Styx]

WTF? ok, i have seen little browsergames with screens of oblivion as gamepic.
ok, whatever.
but this......
i cant understand it.
there are so many 3d artists aout there.
much of them (like me) would word only for her portfolio.

here is an interview with the "Creative/Project Director"

http://www.quandaryland.com/jsp/dispArticle.jsp?index=795


edit:
oblivion is only ONE of many games: http://www.gamershell.com/news_52752.html

[Marcus Dublin]

I thought this was both funny, and kind of sad. Thought I'd pass the link around.

http://www.gameplasma.com/limbo_of_the_lost_or_oblivion/

The sad thing is the developer actually thought they were going to get away with it. This industry is still very close knit even for it's size and it doesn't take very long for stuff like to get noticed! Artists spend hours crafting and looking at their work throughout the course of development and can probably spot something they or their friend did if it showed of in another game! At the end of the day the developer got caught with it's hand in the cookie jar and I'm curious to hear what their excuse is going to be. Most likely it's be along the lines of "We had no prior knowledge of what artists X did, yada, yada, yada.

[BuroKun]

lol this is by the same company that cookepuss is talking about
http://www.branscomeinternational.com/littlepandafighter.html

EDIT: and found this on the thread talking about Limbo http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=11542381&postcount=10

EDIT EDIT: lol and this
http://memages.jrpereira.com/images_own/limboofthelost_boxart.jpg

[Styx]

"official" Packshot XD

http://memages.jrpereira.com/images_own/limboofthelost_boxart.jpg

edit:
i have found the "full game" XD http://www.thup.com/lol/

[Draxxuss]

I like the following from that interview....


Gordon: During the long gestation for this game, what sort of changes have you made to bring it up to date.

Steve: All of the game (apart from initial background story and some character designs) had to be re-written, all the characters had to be created in 3D and animated, all the background scenes re-created, all the sounds, coding and music?..basically everything had to be redone or newly created for the PC version. This is not an old game that has been dressed up. This is the original concept, dusted off and re-created.


ha ha ha ha... what a crock... it is unreal how many things htey have ripped off in whole... not just a piece here and there.. but full environements... hilarious...

[ReplicA]

That neogaf thread, BuroKun linked to is one of the best threads I've read in years. I just read through all 10 pages of it, starting when I thought they only ripped off Oblivion, and ending with the fact they ripped off just about every other game in existence. As well as movies, and collectibles.

I just can't stop grinning. I've seen some craptacular games before, and worked on some as well, but this takes the cake... It's mind boggling, how they could not only sit there, screencap a game, and think "no one will notice" but how they could do it so many times, with so many games. I'm pratcitcally speechless over this. I think I need a copy of this game to play the "where'd they steal it" meta game.

[ShadyD]

Most likely it's be along the lines of "We had no prior knowledge of what artists X did, yada, yada, yada.

lol, yup. Sort of right.

Yesterday, screenshots from the game emerged showing a number of environments that bore a remarkable resemblance to some from Bethesda Softworks' role-playing game The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. Others also appeared to highly resemble scenes from Eidos' action adventure Thief: Deadly Shadows.

Publisher Tri Synergy responded yesterday to the shots, saying that it was unaware of the similarity, and was unable to reach the game's developer. Now, it has announced that it will no longer be distributing the game to online or brick-and-mortar outlets.

"Tri Synergy is just as shocked as everyone else is by the recent screenshot comparisons," said the publisher in a statement. "At no point during our dealings with Majestic Studios up until the point that the comparison was first publicly made by a third party did we have any knowledge of these similarities."

[TryForce]

Hahahahahahha omg xDDD

thats not funny

[Sanzliot]

Man,
at our studio today we are laughing are arses off at the character "Cranny Faggot" How could you possibly get that character through the design phase? Some you tube videos in action.

*Behind the scenes on the art production, including a hilarious extended wireframe/shaded view/vertice view/faceted view/etc view/ breakdown"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soE6Vn0gBw4

*Cranny Faggot"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaDoJiTrIsU

[Marcus Dublin]

Man,
at our studio today we are laughing are arses off at the character "Cranny Faggot" How could you possibly get that character through the design phase? Some you tube videos in action.

*Behind the scenes on the art production, including a hilarious extended wireframe/shaded view/vertice view/faceted view/etc view/ breakdown"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soE6Vn0gBw4

*Cranny Faggot"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaDoJiTrIsU

"Cranny Faggot" looks like it was inspired "cough" from Legends Meg Mucklebones: http://www.robertpicardo.com/images/megmucklebones.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/uni_midnight/LegMeg3.jpg

[BuroKun]

We need a mini-comp dedicated to this =P

[BuroKun]

edit:
i have found the "full game" XD http://www.thup.com/lol/

LOL XD nice find

[Kalango]

Also the keeper is very similar to that key guy from Matrix II.... This is priceless...

[EricElwell]

Gordon: So have any more recent games influenced your current project?

Steve: The project is more influenced by film and literature rather than other games, we want the experience to be as original as possible and as such we have made a calculated effort to keep away from other games in the genre. Limbo of the Lost is an experience first and foremost, secondly wrapped up in a game media and genre.

gives me the giggles... and according to the article here, "tri synergy" is comprised of the same persons as "majestic studios"


I gotta give him props though, he was right about this:

After months of meetings, we came up with the idea of a FACT/FICTION adventure game where we take a factual event in history and weave a Fictional event through it.

factual event in history: Elder Scrolls Series
fictional twist: "we made this"

[Shadownami92]

I've seen people make more believable copies in their homework in high school : S

[BiG ToE]

factual event in history: Elder Scrolls Series
fictional twist: "we made this"

now I got the giggles.:lol: :lol:

[Aaronindhouse]

I'm Amazed that these guys actually put their pictures up on the internet. All it takes is one company to sue, and these guys are screwed not to mention that many of these games were made by big developers. The rip from the spawn movie made me laugh so hard lol.

[menechu]

I saw this and I was like.. "What" I sat back in my seat and thought. "Are these people for real?" Starting thinking what kind of person would really really think it's ok to do this.

I mean, common. Really?

[cookepuss]

tarting thinking what kind of person would really really think it's ok to do this.
Money grubbing, bottom feeding little wankers is who. Seriously. The whole excuse, "Oh. We came up with our stuff independently. It's such an horrible coincidence." :mad: I simply don't buy that. I can see certain strong similarities being a coincidence, but this is just beyond blatant.

It's like an Elvis impersonator. No matter how good he looks he'll always be an imitator. The goal there is to ride on the monumental success of the original.

The goal here is probably the same. I can see it now.

Copycat Chris: The electric company's about to turn off the lights again. We need product and we need it NOW.

Sleazy Sammy: Hmmm.... I don't know. We just can't afford an actual design team. Besides, I spent the last of our cash at Hooters.

Copycat Chris: That IS a pickle. I think I know just what to do.

Sleazy Sammy: Really?

Copycat Chris: Yeah. Just hire some mediocre art talent. Somebody like your little brother, Johnny Jerkface, who'll work for Skittles. Bootleg one of those game construction kits and do whatever it is the other guy is doing.

Sleazy Sammy: You're brilliant! Now I can finally afford to send my kids to a 3rd rate community college.

Copycat Chris: Bank, baby. Bank. That's why I get paid the big bucks. ;)

Sleazy Sammy: I wish somebody would pay ME minimum wage too. :(



I've got way too much free time today. :p

[Supernova87]

^lmao!

but seriously i agree with cookepuss. How can two games "coincidentally" have similarities such as the images shown?

I mean c'mon! The painting for christ sakes is the exact copy of oblivion's! That could not seriously be "coincidence" but surely be "pure imitation".

Yes art/gameart is always inspired from somewhere or something but to stoop to this blatant rip-off is pretty low.

Usually you take references, be creative and make something your own individual work.

[EricElwell]

well, I think i've gotten more entertainment out of this game than most, and I haven't even played it

[Shadownami92]

^lmao!

but seriously i agree with cookepuss. How can two games "coincidentally" have similarities such as the images shown?

I mean c'mon! The painting for christ sakes is the exact copy of oblivion's! That could not seriously be "coincidence" but surely be "pure imitation".

Yes art/gameart is always inspired from somewhere or something but to stoop to this blatant rip-off is pretty low.

Usually you take references, be creative and make something your own individual work.

In this case not just 2 games, there is probably over a good 5 games, 1 Disney Games cut scene and a Spawn movie scene in there too :D

[Supernova87]

In this case not just 2 games, there is probably over a good 5 games, 1 Disney Games cut scene and a Spawn movie scene in there too :D

lol. yea i think ur right there too!

[Daniel_C]

This is a joke right? Maybe this is one of those spoofs ripping the piss out of the games industry and the amazing amount of 'originality' that can be found there in. (though I doubt it)
Surely this did not make it to store shelves!? If so someone made a disgustingly large clanger!

p.s
Do you use images found on Google or flicker in your work? Just where does it begin?

This is where it ends!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7452877.stm

[cookepuss]

Do you use images found on Google or flicker in your work?
I wouldn't use Google or Flicker images in any capacity other than technical reference (eg. machinery or architecture style) or very basic inspiration (eg. costume or style ideas.) I shoot most of my production material.

There's just too much "borrowing" going on nowadays. Plus, with the internet, it's becoming harder and harder to get away. There was a time, especially in comics, that the artist could get away with liberal photo referencing. Today, every eagle eyed geek is on the lookout for the source photos. One web site, Comic Book Resources, has a regular sub-feature called "The Swipe File" that spotlights artists' copying.

There was even one point a couple of years back when Marvel got into trouble for photo referencing the king of Spain as part of a Magneto sketch. (Granted, not the most flattering use, but....) Penciller Greg Land has taken a great deal of heat over his use of over referencing too. On the flipside, Alex Ross, virtual king of photo referencing, takes zero any heat. I think that, at least in that world, it's an issue of context and exactly how blatant is too blatant.

With something like this "Limbo of the Lost" deal or that Pixar copycat one, it's almost become a game of chicken. Who's going to blink first? How long can we get away with doing what we're doing before "the suits" get involved? Are we smart enough to outsmart them?

It's become a very twisted sort test of (dim)wits at this point. I feel as if companies want to push the limit every time just to see how much farther they can push it.

[cookepuss]

:) Imagine pissing off a royal family with this one:

http://www.lacarceldepapel.com/images02/reymagneto.jpg

In its own way, that's on par with the LotL copy in that it swipes from and does damage to the rep at the same time. Magento, King of Spain? King of Spain, evil terrorist? :p No way to claim coincidence on that one. :)

[dale22x]

ahh...you guys don't understand!

everybody seems to have missed the point...

the game is meant to be a tribute to all those great games!

[cookepuss]

Ah..... I get it now. Like the all time porn classics.

"The Orifice"
"Buffy the Vampire Layer"
"Roboco**"
"Pretty in Pink" (LOL. didn't even have to change that one.)

It all makes sense now. :D

Why didn't I see the inherent tribute value before? Silly me. ;)

[ShadyD]

Man this was a great idea.
Let's take a bunch of A rated games and throw them together to get an A+++ RATED GAME!
...
idiots.