Intellectual Property
Ongoing coverage on Intellectual Property.
Latest coverage
The Last of Us Studio is Not Part of Season 3’s Production With HBO, Isn’t Done With the IP
Naughty Dog president Neil Druckmann confirmed the studio is not involved in the creative direction of HBO's The Last of Us Season 3, though they remain the stewards of the IP and have other projects in the works. The article also touches on the cancellation of Naughty Dog's ambitious live-service multiplayer game, The Last of Us Online, due to resource allocation concerns.
"We can get any IP" - Saber CCO on why reviving dormant franchises is the big, obvious secret the the publisher's success, and why Xbox could learn from it
Saber Interactive's Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits believes the company's success stems from its strategy of reviving dormant franchises and ensuring projects can generate four times their cost. He highlighted titles like World War Z and Snow Runner as examples of profitable ventures, and suggested that larger companies like Microsoft could benefit from a similar approach by revitalizing underutilized IPs.
Planet Zoo 2 Developer Announces Partnership With Disney to Develop New Game
Frontier Developments has announced a partnership with Disney to develop and publish new games based on Disney's intellectual properties, focusing on the creative management simulation genre. While specific titles are unrevealed, the collaboration aims to leverage Disney's iconic brands. The studio is also preparing for the release of Planet Zoo 2 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S in October, which will feature new mechanics like aviaries and aquariums.
Why movie tie-in games are rarely sold anymore
Movie tie-in video games, once prevalent in the 2000s, have significantly decreased in recent years. While games based on existing intellectual property are still released, the direct movie tie-in model has largely faded.
As Take-Two seeks IP addresses and phone numbers of thousands in GTA 6 subpoena, Discord says it's not been served…
Take-Two Interactive is seeking subpoenas for IP addresses and phone numbers from Microsoft and Discord to identify a leaker of Grand Theft Auto 6 development footage. Discord has stated they have not yet been served with the subpoena, but if they are, they will evaluate its validity. The publisher's legal team is attempting to gather user information from Discord servers to identify the individual known as 'Cyberleek'.
Rockstar "overreacts a bit at times," says former tech lead as GTA 6 leaks continue, but it's "their…
Former Rockstar technical lead Obbe Vermeij commented on the ongoing Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks, stating that while the company "overreacts a bit at times," it is their job to prevent them. He downplayed the impact of the leaks, comparing them to the "Hot Coffee" incident in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and suggesting they are a "tiny blip" that won't significantly affect Grand Theft Auto 6's success. Despite aggressive legal action and internal security measures like a return-to-office mandate, new leaks continue to surface.
A Third Ori Game Could Be Coming, But The Series’ Creator Doesn’t Believe It
Rumors suggest a third Ori game may be in development, but Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler has dismissed them as "nonsense." Mahler stated that Moon Studios has discussed purchasing the Ori intellectual property back from Microsoft and believes only their studio can do justice to the series. He also commented on Microsoft's perceived mishandling of its studios and legacy IPs.
Double Fine Productions regains ownership of IP and publishing rights following independence from Xbox
Double Fine Productions has regained ownership of its intellectual property and publishing rights following its separation from Xbox. The studio also announced its fifth Amnesia Fortnight event, a game jam where employees create prototypes, with this year's iteration launching on August 31 and featuring a Kickstarter campaign for one of the developed ideas. This move comes after Double Fine and Compulsion Games were spun out of Xbox Game Studios amidst recent layoffs.
Take-Two Interactive files subpoenas against Microsoft, Discord, and X amid ongoing GTA 6 leaks
Take-Two Interactive has filed subpoenas against Microsoft, Discord, and X in response to ongoing leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6. The company is seeking records related to online accounts involved in posting and sharing leaked content, including user data and linked OneDrive and Xbox accounts. This action aims to identify the individuals responsible for infringing on Take-Two's intellectual property rights.
GTA 6 Leaker Keeps Posting Gameplay Clips While Take-Two Subpoenas Microsoft and Discord
Despite Take-Two Interactive issuing subpoenas to Microsoft and Discord, the leaker known as 'CyberLeek' has continued to release gameplay clips of Grand Theft Auto 6. These leaks are being used to promote a memecoin, suggesting a cryptocurrency scheme. Rockstar Games is reportedly frustrated and unsure how the leaks are occurring, but plans to proceed with the upcoming Netflix reveal.
Netflix Is Building A Lincoln Lawyer Spinoff Around A Character Michael Connelly Never Wrote
Netflix is developing a spinoff of The Lincoln Lawyer centered on the character Emi Finch, portrayed by Cobie Smulders, who is Mickey Haller's half-sister. This new character was created by Netflix and does not appear in Michael Connelly's novels, as the rights to Connelly's character Harry Bosch belong to Prime Video. The spinoff aims to fill the narrative role Bosch would have occupied in the series.
How Odyssey and Spider-Man could ensure an Uncharted 5 video game - Reader’s Feature
A reader suggests that the lack of a second Uncharted movie could increase the importance of a new game in the franchise. The author believes Sony Interactive Entertainment and Naughty Dog are slow to produce sequels, but the potential fading of the Uncharted IP might prompt Sony to develop a new installment, possibly for the PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 6, especially with Tom Holland unlikely to return for a movie role.
Compulsion Games' buyout is complete, so now Microsoft won't get a cut if you buy South of Midnight
Compulsion Games has completed a management buyout, regaining ownership of its intellectual property from Microsoft's Xbox Game Studios. This separation allows Compulsion to retain a larger share of revenue from games like South of Midnight, which received an 83% review score. The studio, also known for We Happy Few and Contrast, is now independent after rumors of closure following recent layoffs.
Double Fine confirms it owns all its games' IP and publishing rights after Xbox split
Double Fine has confirmed it retains ownership of the intellectual property and publishing rights for all its games following its split from Xbox. CEO Tim Schafer stated that while some games are still processing, buying their titles directly supports the studio. The company also plans to revive its Amnesia Fortnight game jam as a Kickstarter campaign.
Xbox is "working closely" with GTA 6 makers Take-Two and Rockstar following leaks, tech chief says, "to support efforts to protect creative works"
Xbox's Chief Technology Officer Scott Van Vliet confirmed that the company is working with Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive to protect creative works following a massive Grand Theft Auto 6 leak. The leaker has threatened further disclosures unless Take-Two abandons its digital-only plan for the game. Take-Two has reportedly subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord to identify the individual responsible for the leaks.
Double Fine Owns IP and Publishing Rights for All of Its Games Following Xbox Split, Psychonauts Studio Confirms
Double Fine Productions, the developer behind Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, has confirmed it has regained the intellectual property and publishing rights for all its games previously released under Microsoft. This follows the studio's split from Xbox.
Take-Two Interactive subpoenas Discord and Microsoft in search for GTA 6 leaker
Take-Two Interactive has initiated legal action to identify the individual responsible for leaking footage of Grand Theft Auto 6. The publisher has issued subpoenas to Discord and Microsoft, seeking records related to the leaks. Rockstar Games is preparing to release official footage of the highly anticipated title next week.
Compulsion Games officially separates from Xbox – "The team told me we would rather eat rocks and drink gasoline than be split up"
Compulsion Games has officially become independent from Xbox, with CEO Guillaume Provost leading a management buyout that returns ownership of the studio and its intellectual properties to the team. Provost emphasized the decision was made to keep the team together, especially after recent layoffs at Xbox. The studio, known for games like We Happy Few, is now focused on securing stable funding and self-sustainability while exploring new partnerships.
EA could sell "dormant IPs" like Ultima and Wing Commander after Saudi acquisition, former manager says: "There are plenty of IPs like that at EA that nobody cares about at this moment"
Former Electronic Arts manager Emmanuel Rosier suggests that EA may sell off dormant intellectual properties like Ultima and Wing Commander following a significant acquisition. He believes these underutilized IPs could be sold or licensed to external studios, potentially for mobile game development, as a way to generate revenue and manage debt.
Will the next Mass Effect actually release under EA's new owners? 'I'll believe it when I see it,' says former EA manager turned Newzoo analyst
Following Electronic Arts' acquisition by a consortium including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, industry analyst Emmanuel Rosier expressed uncertainty about the future of the company's less prominent intellectual properties and studios like BioWare. Rosier suggests that EA might sell off dormant IPs such as Ultima and Wing Commander or focus heavily on sports titles and esports due to regional interests.
