BI press release Re: OFP title and development

[sparks50 0]

Google translate worked fine for me.

[Deadfast 43]

I'm working on a translation.

[Deadfast 43]

OK, done.

Be warned - especially the middle is some pretty harsh stuff...

Quote[/b] ]

In the recent protest from BIS regarding the moves of Codemasters everybody could read the known truths about the history and ownership of OFP, but in the 4 paragraphs the main was missing. The exact reason why the Czech developers were upset enough to launch a public counter-strike. Later we heard that everything was started by a single sentence in a foreign preview of Operation Flashpoint 2: "...said Clive Lindop, designer, AI specialist and a veteran of the original Flashpoint team". However this man works with Codemasters only 4 years, therefore he couldn't, even remotely, participate on the development.

We were verifying by our close friends in Eurogamer, chief redactor Tom Bramwell to be more precise, if the aforementioned sentence couldn't be just a misinterpretation by the news' author. However we've been told that Codemasteres really told them this at first and later after publishing of the news this was rephrased to "known name from the online community of the fist Flashpoint". If this was a pure mistake or intentional knows only Codemasteres, who do not comment on the cause in any way. That is probably the best what they can do from their side, because any reaction would just add fuel to the fire of the opponent.

While I understand that the relationship between BIS and Codemasteres are still probably very unstable, I was expecting that the reason behind this cause was something much bigger then a simple sentence in many of the previews (next to the complaint about calling the next game from the series the continuation). I was also shocked that BIS did not first contact CM and went straight public with this. Like if they still didn't get over the inability to use the brand of Flashpoint for their new titles or they were merely waiting for an opportunity to vent their frustration (?).

I do dare to state that most of the "normal" other developers would simply get over such thing, at most asked the medium for correction or write 4 words about this on their forum/blog/Twitter and went on... Did not waste its valuable time and rather took care of their own projects. This way any player of ArmA 2 that will run into a bug will be able say that instead of arguing with Codemasters over a name the developers should focus on, for example, more detail betatest.

A comment to this also today wrote Vreco (remark: never heard of him before...), who took a look back to the situation x years back when he attempted to rebut the widespread myth that the success of the original OFP was 100% credit of Czechs. That time it all didn't work on the principle of today's EA Partners, who de facto just come to "finished". In fact the success of the original was for sure also thanks to Codemasters, which people tend to forget:

(quote)

I understand that people from BIS who (at least at times of my leading in BW) mostly suffered from lack of self-reflection and inability to accept others' opinions, will agree with me in the better case, in the worse one they will consider this post an attack on their work. It's nothing against them, I admire their work, but I consider this move of Marek Spanel a misery and a hit under the belt. Usually in the relationship between developer - publisher it works like the publisher has his people who talk to the game's concept, final changes or game balance to make the game most appealing for the players. At the same time publisher does all the PR and marketing (what now BIS parasites on), times the release in countries and all other things in the background. His side credit is then the financial help for the development. I remember what problems there were while looking for a publisher for Flashpoint and I ask myself the question whether, if there wouldn't be for Codemasters' money, Flashpoint would be even released. For their "consultation" work and of course for their millions of dollars Cdemasters got from BIS the right to distribute Flashpoint and the right for the name. Marek Spanel and Mr. Pavlicek who own BIS, could then freely decide, what price did the cooperation with Codemasteres had for them, and they decided to sell their game including its name.

(unqute)

Michal Jonas yesterday on his GamesBlog presented the opinion of lawyers who he consulted this cause with. He works in the biggest Czech agency which focuses mostly on intellectual property and his specialists see it - based on all the publicly available information (if there are any other important facts, they should be revealed) - see it like this:

(quote)

Codemasters, as the owners of copyright on the original and the second game, can normally call their second game a sequel or continuation if you wish. They do not break any laws by this. If in propagation documents this sentence will be written: "We present you Operation Flashpoint 2 from Bohemia Interactive, continuation of the original Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis." the company would act against the fair trade act and confusing the customer (remark: Excuse the improper terms - I'm not into laws too much ), because both may effuse the feeling that developer Bohemia Interactive, who worked on the first game also works on the second and Codemasteres would therefore parasite from the good reputation of BIS.

BI is also waving around with "all intellectual property included in the game - excluding the name Operation Flashpoint - belongs ti Bohemia Interactive", according to the agreement with Codemasters. Interesting fact is, that BI does not own any patents related to content or technology contained in OFP, in relation to this brand. Nor Czech, Europian nor American registry of patents I did find any entry related to "Bohemia Interactive", excluding the entires on their other projects. I suppose BIS knows this very well and their protest is merely a smart attempt to make themselves visible against the more propagated opponent, however I say I don't know whether this is beyond the borders of intellectual property somehow otherwise handled. This would theoretically change the whole situation. However unless BIS publishes these documents we might believe them, or we might not...

(unquote)

Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising (remark: Not even the name correct...) will be released for PS3, X360 and also for the PC at the beginning of summer.

BTW, sorry for the translation quality - surely not my best, but just reading the damn thing made me quite uncomfortable at the least

[Lou Montana 101]

in short, following google translation,

Quote[/b] ]BIS is whining for just a little sentence where Clive Lindop said he was on OFP, and that's all they found to cry after the fact Codemasters still owns the name. They could just send a comment and no confrontation was needed... By the way, Bohemia doesn't own any patent in OFP content so the question in copyright could stay open...

not sure about patents part, not truly clear

Quote[/b] ]Comments on today wrote vreca, which looked for situations x years back and tried to rebut the widespread myth that the success of the original Operation Flashpoint was 100% due to the Czechs

"the Czechs" were the people gaining audience and demo-downloaders to get Codemasters attention guys...!  

Quote[/b] ]I am clear that the people of the BIS, who (at least during my šéfování BW) fully suffered a lack of self-reflection and an inability to take a different view, will be with me in a better case to oppose, in the worst case, this contribution will be considered an attack on my work.

Yes...

Quote[/b] ]It's not anything against them, smekám before you were able to, but this Marek Spanel consider scruffiness and wound below the waist partner.

Oh-oh, who started first, who was in need to get undue OFP-advertising ?

C'm'on, stop this please. Ok, Ondrej hair has been cut, but you can't be against BIS all the time !

Anyway nothing new here, just one "not-fully-understanding" guy writing something...

[4 IN 1 0]

Didn't brother to watch it, but I just hope BI won't let these kind of thing get into their way to creat a kickass game for us.

[mattxr 9]

There is one thing that interview is messed up.

For one i bet BIS did chat with codies behind closed doors, also that press release if those guys cared to read it better says "THE NAME GAME: CODEMASTERS’ MARKETING OF NEW “OPERATION FLASHPOINT†CREATES CONFUSION, PROVOKES PROTEST"

This is why they posted their press release to clear up all this confususion. Not to cause hate. Thats what im guessing but hell ill be buying arma2 anyways ive always loved BIS games.

I would play Arma for another 6 years if that was the case lol.

[Maddmatt 1]

Quote[/b] ]

Operation Flashpoint 2: Dragon Rising (remark: Not even the name correct...) will be released for PS3, X360 and also for the PC at the beginning of summer.

He even throws in a plug for Codemasters without mentioning ArmA 2.

Terrible games journalism here, the other sites did a much better job at this without being so opinionated.

I wonder if their review of OFP2 will be like the half-arsed ArmA one where they didn't even set up the PC properly  

Edit...

I mean, it reads more like a forum post than an article. It's just some random guy's opinion. When I read articles I expect facts, not some person's ranting.

If I want ranting I come here

[max power 21]

He starts out okay, and if some of the things he says is true, that's pretty interesting, but towards the middle and end he just goes off the rails. Like, I'm sure the same team does BIS's QA and Legal stuff. One thing does not preclude the other.

[Auss 208]

So its true BIS are making OFP2..lol

http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/developer.asp?d=553

[hoot 0]

So its true BIS are making OFP2..lol

http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/developer.asp?d=553

LOL - great find. Now that's explaining something...at least, that some are still confused by the split-up and creating mishmash in the process of thinking and/or writing about the two titles

[bravo 6 0]

So its true BIS are making OFP2..lol

http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/developer.asp?d=553

Jesus crist.. People are so ignorant these days!

They should be informed.

[lt.chris 0]

Quote[/b] ]Quote (Aussie @ Mar. 05 2009,08:02)

So its true BIS are making OFP2..lol

http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/developer.asp?d=553

Jesus crist.. People are so ignorant these days!

They should be informed.

Ive just sent them an e-mail using their "contact us" link on their website so providing they actally read the e-mail and pay attention to what ive explained , the changes should be made

[bravo 6 0]

The problem these days is that people want to show news, get attention, though they don't know anything about them.

Thats why they should be informed before they send it to the public.

Good initiative there Lt.Chris

[Balschoiw 0]

Quote[/b] ]"prominent member" eh ....

Maybe its blackdog or the like .....

Would be really interesting to know as the prominent members back then were really just a handfull. Can´t someone just ask him ?

[[aps]gnat 28]

Quote[/b] ]"prominent member" eh ....

Maybe its blackdog or the like .....

Would be really interesting to know as the prominent members back then were really just a handfull. Can´t someone just ask him ?

ARH HAR ! Nice try Balschoiw ... trying to deflect suspicion

You fell for my cleverly worded trap. You took the bait .... Its you isn't it !!

[Balschoiw 0]

Oh shit !

Apart from what Llauma says I´m no *cough* meatball yet .

Nice try Spaceman Spiff !

[[aps]gnat 28]

Nice try Spaceman Spiff !  

lol .. darn! I thought for sure you were Clive. But the fact you posted a picture of a real cute puddy tat proves otherwise. EA and EGO employees only post pictures of rendered cats.

..... now wondering about Placebo. that whole story about leaving for a while and going on holidays ..... hmmm.

@Deadfast

Thanks. Interesting but ultimate still an mystery of what transpired in company-company communications.

And funny how they say BIS would have got no where with OFP without EA publishing and push it etc.

Joke. They were too busy pushing their other shyt. I remember back when it was published, had to order the bloody thing in, no one in the metro area had a copy on the shelf. Then you had to fight to find a copy of OFP:R anywhere.

Bugger all advertising and not even on the shelves.

And of course BIS never had any success publishing ArmAI themselves.

[psycosmos 0]

So, according to "Bohemia Interactive expressly reserved the exclusive right to develop sequels to the original OFP game", this should probably be changed, shouldn't it?

as seen on the CM forum

[bravo 6 0]

Unbelievable.

I really don't know what they are expecting with these kinda attitude.

I hope BIS can revoke their Legal Rights!

[kklownboy 43]

sigh... Its like UBI and GR... yeah GRAW1&2 where the sequel to GhostRecon..... NOT. Atleast i know i will be able to play ARMA2. But with the way the economy is going, CM may not get the chance to deliver *DR (wont call it OPF).  Funny and sad to see so many folks bash BIS, If it wasnt for them doing ARMA, and soon ARMA2, there wouldnt be a "military sim" with so many tools/options to mod. CM wont do that, UBI cant do that EA doesnt know what COOP is ect

 Well heres a shout out to Mr. John Sonedecker, we will play yours too.

 I have a ARMA 1.0 DE. version of this game, and i know what suffering is!

[Alex72 1]

That should be a legal breach. Not saying it is - just that it should be. They own the name, but as we all know its not the true follow up of the ORIGINAL Operation Flashpoint. CM plays a low & sleazy game...

Or maybe the muppets over at that forum just dont know better? Could be that too ofcourse. They take in everything CM tells them. Reminds me of some friends kids. Game titles like for example Gran Tourismo 5 "The REAL driving simulator!" makes them think it is the ultimate car simulator (LOL). They take in and swallows what that industry tells them.

I feel nausious...

[SWAT_BigBear 0]

Does that forum even have an original Operation Flashpoint section?

Oh~my, I guess they have to refer to these forums?

[lt.chris 0]

Quote[/b] ]Quote

Quote (Aussie @ Mar. 05 2009,08:02)

So its true BIS are making OFP2..lol

http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/developer.asp?d=553

Jesus crist.. People are so ignorant these days!

They should be informed.

Ive just sent them an e-mail using their "contact us" link on their website so providing they actally read the e-mail and pay attention to what ive explained , the changes should be made

Ive made progress regarding this issue and ive got this response from them

Quote[/b] ]Hello Chris,

Thank you for the information regarding Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising. After confirming your information I have made the changes.

I must say on a personal level I am very disappointed as I am not a fan of Codemasters work and was a huge fan of the original game. Looks like Armed Assault for me.

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further queries.

Regards,

John Degnan

Games Warehouse

www.gameswarehouse.com.au

Ph: 61 2 9648 5656

Fa: 61 2 9648 5959

Ive checked to confirm the changes have been done and they seem to have been done

Heres the link to the updated page http://www.gameswarehouse.com.au/longpage.asp?gameid=17216

[ck-claw 1]

Nice work Chris!

[mattxr 9]

Nice One