UTIII: Epic didn't steal user created map, unbans user from forum, GAF wipes off egg.

[Metalmurphy]

This happened Today, and I'm still shocked by it.

I'm sure many of you already seen the new UT3 360 trailer, but what most of you don't know is that one of the maps shown there ( DM-ArcticShipment ) is actually a user created map done by a member that goes by EpicJon on the Epic Forums.

The map, while not being exactly the same, is a blatant rip off, it's a cargo boat, in the middle of the Artic ocean, with snow falling and with icebergs on the background. When EpicJon posted about his discontent in the Epic Forums he got banned and his thread deleted.

You guys can see the map in action in this trailer:
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/32978.html

And here is a shot of the user created one:


And the thread for the map on Epic Forums:
http://utforums.epicgames.com/showth...605011&page=10


I wonder if this is what Epic means by getting MODs on the 360 version, stealing them from users and putting them on XBL without any notification. While they're most likely allowed to do that legally it's a very low blow for the modding community.

[Truant]

Epic fail.

[flintstryker]

WTF??? that's just wrong

[BeeDog]

That's pretty fucking sad.

[Speevy]

No matter what they put in the 360 version, NOTHING will be exclusive to the 360 version of this game.

[Banzaiaap]

Epic fail.

Wow.

Anyway, that's pretty sad.. :'(

[Kittonwy]

Why they ban the creator from teh forums? Did he do something wrong?

[Tieno]

Shot of UT3 Trailer (gamersyde)

[TemplaerDude]

wow.

that's a real dick thing to do.

shame on epic.

[LCGeek]

I love UT but their rampant stupidity as of late calls in to question me spending anymore money at all on them. I'm just fine going back to hoarding valve products and infinity ward is on a roll so I'm all set for what this company does besides I play ut99 more than anything they brung out in years.

[theBishop]

That is terrible if true. Maybe modders should post their work on a server not controlled by Epic...

[harSon]

No matter what they put in the 360 version, NOTHING will be exclusive to the 360 version of this game.

This is perfectly relevant to the thread.

[WrikaWrek]

Shit. Wasn't expecting such a dick move by Epic.

[Darunia]

so incredibly sad

what a dick move

[Kittonwy]

That is terrible if true. Maybe modders should post their work on a server not controlled by Epic...

Maybe modders should just abandon UT and move onto other games if that's how they'll get treated.

[Tieno]

This is perfectly relevant to the thread.

That's how speevy rolls.

[Iadien]

Holy shit if true.

[Justin]

Not sure it is a rip-off yet. We only see one little corner of the map for 2 seconds in that video. Wasn't there a boat level in the first UT or UT99?

[Minsc]

This is basically how mods work on the PC, so I'd doubt it'd be any different on a console.

Anything you make for any game is owned by the people who own the game. It doesn't matter if they took his very exact same mod and sold it for $9.99 and make $10M from it. That's about how it works when it comes down to it.

You do not own or have the rights to anything you mod for any game, all rights are given up in the EULA.

So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

[angelfly]

Wow Epic that's really shitty.

[FightyF]

That user created map looks like a "blatant rip off" of the Gears of War boss map...doesn't it?

[chubigans]

So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

Here's his post right before he got banned:

ok this is bull, they stole my arctic shipment map idea, the exact same thing - http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33033.html look at the map wit the crane and the crates, its snowing and there icebergs and everything from like my map. Thats retarded, is Epic really going that low to steal others work? I can't believe this...

Not really all that bad a post if you ask me.

[Metalmurphy]

Holy shit if true.

It is true.


Here's another pic, if you compare it to the one Tieno posted you can see the bridge is pretty much the same and everything:

[nestea]

I've had it with Epic's shit. They continue and continue to talk shit, but this just about does it for me. Fuck em.

[Masta_Killah]

For some reason, EpicJon sounds like an Epic employee, who may have hijacked the map and called it his own. Just a thought...

Also, this reminds me of the Halo RTS mod, which got shut down.

[forgeforsaken]

Well how similar are the maps actually? Is it just a similar theme or they similar in layout and gameplay. It's not like Epic has never set a map on a boat before, they did that back in the original UT.

[Iadien]

No wonder they like modders so much, they steal their ideas and then ban them.

[Second]

Epic fail.

Seriously. This is just too low. Sounds almost unreal.

[Pimpbaa]

Wow. This is the kinda shit that makes me never want to buy an Epic game again.

[Davidion]

Oh you've gotta be kidding me. That's fucking pathetic if it's true.

[Minsc]

Here's his post right before he got banned: Not really all that bad a post if you ask me.

Epic can't exactly steal what they already own though... that's the problem. Look at his attitude, if he wants to vent, in my opinion he's stupid if he thinks Epic would allow it on their forums.

[chubigans]

Seriously. This is just too low. Sounds almost unreal.

Things like this really grind my gears.

[Ten-Song]

I'm sure in a legal sense Epic's just fine, but this is still a really lame dick move on their part.

[laserbeam]

This is basically how mods work on the PC, so I'd doubt it'd be any different on a console. Anything you make for any game is owned by the people who own the game. It doesn't matter if they took his very exact same mod and sold it for $9.99 and make $10M from it. That's about how it works when it comes down to it. You do not own or have the rights to anything you mod for any game, all rights are given up in the EULA. So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

Its not as clear cut as you say. There is a reason why other companies have BOUGHT Modders work. Theres a whole lot of grey area and public relation nightmares awaiting Epic.

[MisterHero]

This is basically how mods work on the PC, so I'd doubt it'd be any different on a console. Anything you make for any game is owned by the people who own the game. It doesn't matter if they took his very exact same mod and sold it for $9.99 and make $10M from it. That's about how it works when it comes down to it. You do not own or have the rights to anything you mod for any game, all rights are given up in the EULA. So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

That's why I don't want to learn anything based on modding. Even if it's your work, it really isn't.

[mint]

Wow. I can't believe a company, not some individual, but a freaking company would do a move like this.

Unless they banned him for some type of reason.

[f_elz]

I bet there is more to this story.

[Doel]

Wow, that's ridiculous.

There has to be some kind of legal action he can take.

[Kandrick]

Wow at people here defending EPIC

Thats really poor behavior from EPIC.

[Dever]

What the fuck... They could've at least asked him for permission. I'm sure he would have agreed to it anyways.

[neight]

This is basically how mods work on the PC, so I'd doubt it'd be any different on a console. Anything you make for any game is owned by the people who own the game. It doesn't matter if they took his very exact same mod and sold it for $9.99 and make $10M from it. That's about how it works when it comes down to it. You do not own or have the rights to anything you mod for any game, all rights are given up in the EULA. So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

Red Orchestra started as a mod and the developers released it as a standalone game for profit.

It's a dick shit to do regardless and he should have at least gotten credit.

[Slo]

What the hell?

[harSon]

Its not as clear cut as you say. There is a reason why other companies have BOUGHT Modders work. Theres a whole lot of grey area and public relation nightmares awaiting Epic.

They don't buy the modders work, they purchase the talent behind the mod.

[Crushed]

Awaiting post by CliffyB.

[Paracelsus]

In b4 bestmods.jpg

[Jtyettis]

This is basically how mods work on the PC, so I'd doubt it'd be any different on a console. Anything you make for any game is owned by the people who own the game. It doesn't matter if they took his very exact same mod and sold it for $9.99 and make $10M from it. That's about how it works when it comes down to it. You do not own or have the rights to anything you mod for any game, all rights are given up in the EULA. So I'm hardly surprised. They probably banned him because he was being a jerk about it.

And that is the real world folks. Modders don't own jack.

No matter what they put in the 360 version, NOTHING will be exclusive to the 360 version of this game.

WTB split-screen. WTB Gears 2 Beta. Make it happen Epic. Ball goes both ways Speevy.

[Seiken]

Well, there goes my last bought game from Epic. Unless Epic really does something to cover it up.

[Relaxed Muscle]

Epic win.

What an awesome way to bring mods and user created content to the X360 in front of MS noses.













That's a new low Epic.Fucking sad.

[mint]

Wow at people here defending EPIC Thats really poor behavior from EPIC.

Not defending a company. If you slapped Konami or even Sega on there, I would do the same.

[Grimm Fandango]

What a load of shit. I don't expect the guy to get money, just acknowledge him for fuck's sake.