Intellectual Property
Ongoing coverage on Intellectual Property.
Latest coverage
Valve says devs can fight AI clones on Steam by not "relying on a single mechanic that someone can easily copy," and report extortion to law enforcement while you're at it
Valve has advised game developers on Steam to prioritize originality and add unique features to combat AI-generated game clones. In response to reports of extortion attempts where AI users threaten to clone games if not paid, Valve business team members suggested developers report such threats to law enforcement in extreme cases, while also noting that Valve will investigate further.
Roblox users have made playable version of Counter-Strike and full, working versions PlayStation games that you can play right now
Roblox users have created functional recreations of popular games like Counter-Strike, The Simpsons: Hit and Run, and Superhot, as well as a working PlayStation 4 dashboard. These experiences, built without the original creators' involvement, range from passion projects to direct copies, raising questions about intellectual property and user-generated content within the platform.
Dead By Daylight Store Losing Some Horror Icons
Dead by Daylight is losing several licensed horror characters, including Chucky, Pinhead, Michael Myers, and Laurie Strode, as their licensing agreements expire. Behaviour Interactive aims to keep licenses permanently but acknowledges that this is not always possible for live-service games. While some characters depart, new ones like Art the Clown from Terrifier are being added, highlighting the precarious nature of relying on external intellectual property.
Mass Effect fans protest EA with Times Square ad and plans for The Game Awards
Mass Effect fans are launching a campaign, including a Change.org petition and a Times Square billboard, to pressure Electronic Arts into continuing the franchise after the closure of BioWare and the cancellation of the next Mass Effect game. Despite EA's decision, an Amazon TV adaptation is reportedly still in development, and composer Austin Wintory has shared music he created for the cancelled project.
Former Mass Effect 5 Art Director Says Cancellation is “Truly Heartbreaking”
Nicolas Bouvier, former art director for a canceled Mass Effect project at BioWare, expressed his heartbreak over the studio's closure and the project's cancellation. He described working with a talented and tightly-knit team, lamenting that their work would never be seen by the public. Other writers and former executives also commented on the closure and the uncertain future of the Mass Effect franchise and its IP.
223,000+ people sign petition to "save Mass Effect"
Over 223,000 people have signed a Change.org petition urging Electronic Arts to commit to the continued development of the Mass Effect franchise. The petition was started in response to EA's announcement of closing BioWare, the studio behind Mass Effect and Dragon Age, and cancelling the next Mass Effect project. The petitioners suggest EA either properly fund and staff the franchise or license the intellectual property to another studio.
Netflix reportedly offered $500m to Microsoft to license Xbox IP for seven years
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for the rights to adapt Xbox intellectual property for film and television. Xbox executives, including Asha Sharma, allegedly declined the offer and counter-proposed $800 million. The deal appears to have been withdrawn following the departure of Netflix's former chief content officer, Bela Bajaria.
"EA never actually sells anything," former Mass Effect 5 dev says – so don't expect the RPG to be saved as "they just shut things down and sit on their licenses"
A former BioWare developer suggests Electronic Arts is unlikely to sell the Mass Effect IP or Mass Effect 5 to another studio following BioWare's closure and the game's apparent cancellation. The developer stated that EA "never actually sells anything" and tends to "shut things down and sit on their licenses." This sentiment is echoed by former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah, who noted that executives are incentivized against taking risks with IP.
'Save Mass Effect' petition hits over 180,000 signatures within days of BioWare's closure
A petition to save the Mass Effect series has garnered over 180,000 signatures following the reported closure of BioWare and cancellation of Mass Effect 5. The petition urges Electronic Arts to commit to the series' continued development or license the IP to another studio. Fans express deep disappointment and a strong desire for the franchise's survival.
Xbox Wanted A Gargantuan Paycheck To Partner With Netflix On TV And Movies
Netflix reportedly offered Microsoft $500 million over seven years for exclusive film and TV rights to Xbox intellectual property, but Microsoft countered with a demand for $800 million. This led Netflix to withdraw its offer, though both companies state they value their partnership. Xbox is now pursuing smaller deals with multiple partners for its various game franchises.
EA Could Sell BioWare’s IP As It Looks To Tackle Its Massive Debt, Former Studio Boss Says
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah suggested that Electronic Arts might sell off BioWare's intellectual property, including Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and Jade Empire, to help manage its $55 billion debt. This comes after EA announced the closure of BioWare and significant layoffs, leaving the future of these beloved franchises uncertain.
Former BioWare Executive Producer Mark Darrah Says EA Might Be 'More Likely' to Sell IPs Like Mass Effect and Dragon Age After Studio’s Closure
Former BioWare executive producer Mark Darrah suggests that Electronic Arts might be more inclined to sell off intellectual properties like Mass Effect and Dragon Age following the closure of its studios. Darrah, who worked at BioWare for over two decades, shared his perspective on the potential future of these iconic game franchises.
'If you can’t show your game to the world without fearing it’ll be cloned, something’s broken' says Moonlighter studio on its canceled demo
Digital Sun Games has canceled the public playtest for its upcoming game ReVamp due to concerns about AI models enabling rapid cloning and decompilation. The studio fears that its code and concepts could be stolen and released before the game's planned March 2027 launch, impacting its market visibility and ability to gather feedback.
Moonlighter developer delays public playtest of next game over concerns of AI cloning
Digital Sun Games, developer of Moonlighter, has postponed the public playtest for its upcoming game ReVamp due to concerns about AI cloning. The studio fears that AI-generated copies could be released before the original game is finished. This decision follows similar cancellations by other studios and highlights the growing threat of AI-driven game cloning to indie developers.
The AI state of play: AI laws and game development
Game studios face increasing legal complexities surrounding the use of generative AI in development. Key concerns include intellectual property infringement risks from LLMs, data privacy issues with AI tools, and evolving copyright laws across different jurisdictions. Regulations like the EU AI Act also mandate labeling for AI-generated content resembling real people or events, requiring studios to implement robust compliance policies and human oversight.
Developer cancels public demo of its upcoming horror drinking game, fearing it will be instantly cloned by AI vibe coders: 'We sincerely apologise for the short notice'
Alliance Arts has canceled the public Steam demo for its upcoming horror drinking game, Drunken Goddess Reflux, due to concerns about AI tools cloning the game. The developer cited the risk of the demo's content being used to replicate the game's presentation and gameplay before its official launch. Instead, the studio will offer private online play sessions.
S-Game "already has some ideas" for Phantom Blade Zero sequels, expansions, and animations
S-Game has preliminary ideas for sequels, expansions, and animated content for Phantom Blade Zero, but will prioritize the game's commercial success before committing. The studio also plans to explore merchandise and potentially animated series or movies to expand the original intellectual property.
What will happen to video games under Skydance?
The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery will significantly impact the video game industry, potentially leading to layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations. While studios like NetherRealm and Avalanche may be relatively safe due to successful IPs, Rocksteady faces uncertainty after the poor reception of Suicide Squad. The consolidation of major IPs under Skydance presents both creative opportunities and business challenges.
If New Blood had made Dusk 2, there'd be no Iron Lung, 'and now David Szymanski has got a movie that made $50 million'—so maybe there's wisdom in not churning out sequels
New Blood founder Dave Oshry explains his strategy of investing success from hits like Ultrakill into new, 'artsy' projects rather than churning out sequels. He contrasts this independent approach with the AAA model of IP exploitation and relentless growth, arguing that this allows for more creative freedom and avoids the pitfalls of publisher-driven development, citing examples like the Heroes of Might and Magic series and the Wolverine game.
ESA flags retro console maker Anbernic for inclusion on US government's Notorious Market List
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has recommended that retro console maker Anbernic be added to the US government's Notorious Market List due to its alleged facilitation of hardware-based piracy. The ESA claims Anbernic normalizes piracy by selling devices preloaded with unauthorized games, shifting monitoring costs to publishers and potentially bypassing safety protections.
