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The case for the return of Crash Bandicoot

Megatron

Member

SNURB

Member
I haven't seen the Easter egg, but could it fall under parody law protection?

It wouldn't
because it uses the name, logo, and character. If Crash was still Activision's property, Sony would be legally obliged to include their name in the Uncharted 4 credits as the owners of Crash Bandicoot. Every trademark Sony doesn't own (such as Polaroid, for example) is mentioned in the credits. This is a requirement enforced by law, and failing to comply can lead to a hefty fine and a lot of trouble. Not even Naughty Dog's 30th anniversary art book was exempt from including Activision in the credits, since it contained pictures of Crash. As you can see, this is something that even applies retroactively.
 
I haven't seen the Easter egg, but could it fall under parody law protection?

Also the part about lex Lang should probably be removed since he has denied it was Crash. It's probably dr doom. http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/05/07/voice-actor-not-teasing-crash-bandicoot-revival/

But Crash Bandicoot is
fully playable in the game. I've heard he's playable twice but I've only seen the one so far.
They wouldn't even allow him in PS All-Stars as a playable character.

Adam is hiding something.
 
CopyRights, Trademarks, and RR are still under Activision. Why would you think Activision would give Ctash back? Think about it.
 
I think it can work. Ratchet and clank sold very well and was a great game.

The thing is it can't be half assed. It needs a good team of talented designers with passion for the game and good unique ideas. It should look great and be attention grabbing. And given time to be done well.

If it's half assed like the Vivendi games and sold on the character might as well not do it.

Comparing a grenade to a Panda.
 

ZarKryn7

Member
CopyRights, Trademarks, and RR are still under Activision. Why would you think Activision would give Crash back? Think about it.

Well.. Ergh... Just wait on Wednesday. I don't want to get in trouble explaining why everyone thinks so due to a recent evidence.
 

_Ryo_

Member
Could we please stop calling it an Easter Egg? it's not. It's blatant, it's mandatory to progress the story segment and it is 100% obvious that it is a teaser for what is surely to come, in the same way that
P.T. was a teaser for (the unfortunately canceled) Silent Hills.

Easter Eggs are hidden, small, unobvious, and easily missed.
Like the Wumpa fruit treasure
in the game
Uncharted 4

This moment fits none of those descriptions. It is as in your face as it gets. Ergo, not an easter egg. Nate reacting like crash when he gets up, that is an easter egg.

The thing's a teaser, come on. xD
 
What's interesting to me is that there was an interview with Neil Druckman and Bruce Straley regarding Uncharted 4 and they asked the pair about crash bandicoot. And their response was they wanted to put a
crash Easter egg in the game. Like they wanted to put one of the crash games into uncharted somehow, but they asked Activision and they said no.

Now uncharted 4 comes out and that exact thing that they said they weren't allowed to do, is in the game and credit to Activision isn't there at all. Somethings up.

Edit: I'm not sure what interview it was but I honestly remember it. It was around the time Shawn layden came out with his crash shirt on. And the interviewer brought it up because of that I think. I'll do some digging.

Found some evidence... http://www.avclub.com/article/uncharted-dev-talks-grain-sack-tech-and-glories-ol-220969
 

SNURB

Member
What's interesting to me is that there was an interview with Neil Druckman and Bruce Straley regarding Uncharted 4 and they asked the pair about crash bandicoot. And their response was they wanted to put a
crash Easter egg in the game. Like they wanted to put one of the crash games into uncharted somehow, but they asked Activision and they said no.

Now uncharted 4 comes out and that exact thing that they said they weren't allowed to do, is in the game and credit to Activision isn't there at all. Somethings up.

Edit: I'm not sure what interview it was but I honestly remember it. It was around the time Shawn layden came out with his crash shirt on. And the interviewer brought it up because of that I think. I'll do some digging.
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...-crash-bandicoot-ps4-game-inside-uncharted-4/
 

SilentRob

Member
I find it SO weird so many of you guys seem to think that the
inclusion of a playable CB level in Uncharted 4
is "pretty much a confirmation" or anything along those lines. I don't even see how this is evidence for a new Crash game at all.

Many studios reference their earlier works. In Alan Wake, you read a script for one of Alan's Books and it's the script for Max Payne, read by the voice actor of Max. That's not in there because Remedy wanted to show you guys that they'll develop a new Max Payne game, but because they obviously have some fondness for their earlier work and like to do callbacks whenever possible.

In Starcraft 2 there is a callback to Lost Vikins with a playable game called...Lost Vikings. Again - doesn't mean Blizzard is going to develop Lost Vikings: Redemption next. There are many, many examples for this.

Also, just as a little very subjective Bonus: Playing the first Crash Bandicoot for the first time in years made me realize that there is absolutely no way this series would work today without having to change it so much that the hardcore fans who wanted a sequel in the first place would hate it. I had quite a lot of fun with it back in the day but the very restrictive 3D environments along with the imprecise 2D segments didn't really work together all too well in retrospect.

To me, the series feels a lot like many other relatively early 3D games do, like the 3D element doesn't actually help the game but actively hurts it, like a game that is very much a product of its time and can only really work in that time. You literally jump blindly into pits while running towards the camera, hoping for a platform to appear there. That's not great.
 

Hektor

Member
I find it SO weird so many of you guys seem to think that the
inclusion of CB in Uncharted 4
is "pretty much a confirmation" or anything along those lines. I don't even see how this is evidence for a new Crash game at all.

Many studios reference their earlier works. In Alan Wake, you read a script for one of Alan's Books and it's the script for Max Payne, read by the voice actor of Max. That's not in there because Remedy wanted to show you guys that they'll develop a new Max Payne game, but because they obviously have some fondness for their earlier work and like to do callbacks whenever possible.

In Starcraft 2 there is a callback to Lost Vikins with a playable game called...Lost Vikings. Again - doesn't mean Blizzard is going to develop Lost Vikings: Redemption next. There are many, many examples for this.

The theory is, that Naughty Dog/Sony had to get the rights in order to implement that, because they weren't allowed to feature crash in the past.

And there is a difference between a book on some shelf in Alan Wake and actual, playable levels, mandatory to progress in the story, no? The latter takes quit some effort, and as already said, can be troubling from a legal perspective in this instance.

To me, the series feels a lot like many other relatively early 3D games do, like the 3D element doesn't actually help the game but actively hurts it. You literally jump blindly into pits while running towards the camera, hoping for a platform to appear there. That's not great.

With all due respect mein Ratsherr, but this sounds like you'e just not very good. You always see the pits coming in those segments.
 
Well after the so called easter egg I'm now a believer. How do you include that in your game and not credit the owners?
No no no no, something's happening here. Something beautiful.
 

HMD

Member
I find it SO weird so many of you guys seem to think that the
inclusion of a playable CB level in Uncharted 4
is "pretty much a confirmation" or anything along those lines. I don't even see how this is evidence for a new Crash game at all.

Shawn Layden's t-shirt is all the proof we need,
UC4
is the cherry on top. Why would they "troll" everyone like that?
 
I find it SO weird so many of you guys seem to think that the
inclusion of a playable CB level in Uncharted 4
is "pretty much a confirmation" or anything along those lines. I don't even see how this is evidence for a new Crash game at all.

Many studios reference their earlier works. In Alan Wake, you read a script for one of Alan's Books and it's the script for Max Payne, read by the voice actor of Max. That's not in there because Remedy wanted to show you guys that they'll develop a new Max Payne game, but because they obviously have some fondness for their earlier work and like to do callbacks whenever possible.

In Starcraft 2 there is a callback to Lost Vikins with a playable game called...Lost Vikings. Again - doesn't mean Blizzard is going to develop Lost Vikings: Redemption next. There are many, many examples for this.

  • Sony apparently didn't own Crash Bandicoot
  • now the game shows up in Uncharted 4
  • there's no sign of Activision in the credits
  • ergo, Sony likely owns Crash now
  • ergo, they spent probably an awful lot of money on acquiring said IP, very likely with the intention to use it for more than a handful of references

just so we don't get twisted, the Alan Wake/Max Payne easter egg is very different, given the lack of trademarked names and so on
 

Freeman

Banned
They should just do it.

Have ND co-produce it with Insomniac or someone else. They could pull a Sony Santa Monica and produce it as non AAA game with a smaller studio as well, or they could pull it off as a internal side project. A sucessfull Crash game would also open up the possibility of another kart game, something that would be a perfect fit for Sony's lineup.

The E3 hype of revealing Crash would be insane.
 

SilentRob

Member
With all due respect mein Ratsherr, but this sounds like you'e just not very good. You always see the pits coming in those segments.

I just played those sections
in Uncharted 4
literally 2 hours ago. No, you don't. You run towards the camera, you see nothing but a pit in front of you, you jump and while you are in the air, platforms to land on appear
At least in this version. I guess it's possible it's different in the actualy PS1 game? That would be...pretty weird though.

EDIT: Holy crap, I just checked. It's ACTALLY different in the Uncharted 4-version. I just compared my recorded footage with a Youtube Let's Play from the same level in the original game and, sure enough, you can see every platform in the original game before jumping but you can't in the Uncharted 4-version. Now, you don't play Crash Bandicoot in fullscreen in Uncharted 4 but on a smaller TV screen in the game world...so maybe it's a problem with the aspect ratio? Huh!

The trademark stuff is actually the first thing I'd actually call evidence, thanks for clarifying. Doesn't really convince me, personally, but hey, a lot of people would be happy with a new Crash and more power to you guys ;)

As long as Naughty Dog doesn't actually develop it. That's would be kiiiind of a waste, no offense.
 
There is far too much going on evidence wise to write it off.

The not referencing acti in the end credits of uc4 is a big fat red herring as well.

I guess a remake is on the cards, probably being announced at e3.
 

SilentRob

Member
Alright, I'll put this in a new post because...this is kind of weird and I'm not sure what it means or if I'm just overlooking something. I'll put this whole post into the spoiler tag, but it all revolves around that
Crash Bandicoot scene in Uncharted 4
, nothing else. Just being careful here.

I just directly compared the original Boulders level in Crash Bandicoot with the version you play in the Uncharted 4 Version of Crash Bandicoot (let's just call it CBU4 from now on). They are different. Is this not just a port?

CB:
QMPVBa9.png

CBU4:
Vc3malP.png


CB:
96YlJBS.png

CBU4:
kk4EzQo.png


CB:
wF2ATUW.png

CBU4:
Zi5iuiS.png


At first I just thought the camera was zoomed out but that's not actually the case since you can actually see LESS than before. Look at the first screen in particular - it's way further down, allowing you to see the next platform, while you can't see it in the UC4 version. The camera is actually at a different place, making it a lot harder to see what's coming.
 

The Argus

Member
If a new Crash does exist, should we expect a hallway runner like the originals, or a full open world platformer like Jak?

I'd like something like Mario 64 where the hub world leads to other loaded maps. Some could be big, but I'd hope to see some classic corridor platforming as well.
 
They are different. Is this not just a port?

Yes, it is entirely remade from the ground up, the only thing reused is the level scenery and the HUD/fruit/boxes. The code is all new and the Crash Model is a "close approximation".


A. They can license it out without selling it.
B. I am totally sure that the contract would definitely NEVER include a clause to not publicize the transfer until the deal was made public :V
C. This doesn't matter at current time, but there are SEVERAL Crash trademarks. One of several that are called "Crash Bandicoot" was abandoned and it blew up as "Activision abandons Crash BAndicoot IP" when that simply wasn't true.
 

Eolz

Member
Yes, it is entirely remade from the ground up, the only thing reused is the level scenery and the HUD/fruit/boxes. The code is all new and the Crash Model is a "close approximation".



A. They can license it out without selling it.
B. I am totally sure that the contract would definitely NEVER include a clause to not publicize the transfer until the deal was made public :V
C. This doesn't matter at current time, but there are SEVERAL Crash trademarks. One of several that are called "Crash Bandicoot" was abandoned and it blew up as "Activision abandons Crash BAndicoot IP" when that simply wasn't true.

Oh yeah, my point since the beginning is that people shouldn't make a shortcut as Sony buying the IP. Aka, point A.
For point C, those trademarks were abandoned since they had been replaced by more global ones.
 

SilentRob

Member
Yes, it is entirely remade from the ground up, the only thing reused is the level scenery and the HUD/fruit/boxes. The code is all new and the Crash Model is a "close approximation".

Huh! Alright. Maybe there's more to this whole thing, after all. That seems like quite a lot of work!

But also, oh boy, that version of Crash Bandicoot didn't feel great and actively made me remember the original game in a worse light D:
 
Oh yeah, my point since the beginning is that people shouldn't make a shortcut as Sony buying the IP. Aka, point A.
For point C, those trademarks were abandoned since they had been replaced by more global ones.

My point with "C" was that Activision, Sierra, whoever, have not always been punctual or poignant with their trademarks for Crash anyways.

I personally think it's a license deal, but if there has been an IP sale, you won't see it on the USPTO site until it's announced publically.

Huh! Alright. Maybe there's more to this whole thing, after all. That seems like quite a lot of work!

But also, oh boy, that version of Crash Bandicoot didn't feel great and actively made me remember the original game in a worse light D:

Yeah, the general consensus is that they did a pretty rushed job of it. The physics are clearly off even from just watching it. Crash 1 wasn't PERFECT physics/control wise, but it wasn't that sticky and off-looking.
 

ffdgh

Member
If a new Crash does exist, should we expect a hallway runner like the originals, or a full open world platformer like Jak?

I'd like something like Mario 64 where the hub world leads to other loaded maps. Some could be big, but I'd hope to see some classic corridor platforming as well.

So a mix of 1-3/wrath of cortex mixed with twinsanity? That could probably work.
 

HMD

Member
If a new Crash does exist, should we expect a hallway runner like the originals, or a full open world platformer like Jak?

I'd like something like Mario 64 where the hub world leads to other loaded maps. Some could be big, but I'd hope to see some classic corridor platforming as well.

Just go full Warped and play it safe.
 
Just go full Warped and play it safe.

  • Motorcycles
  • Planes
  • Scuba gear
  • Wild animals
  • etc etc

I'd vastly prefer Crash 2, but I'd happily take it if that stuff was a little more fun and refined than it was in Crash 3, instead of feeling like "here's where you stop platforming". Crash 3 was at least, maybe more than, half non-platforming gameplay.
 
This is what I'm calling happened.


After PS All-Stars, Sony had been trying to desperately work something out with Activision as they saw fans really wanted Crash to return.

Sony teased us back in 2013 with that PS4 ad that they were negotiating with Activision to use the IP or get the IP back.

Multiple Sony teases through social media through-out 2014 and 2015 that they were trying to get Crash.

Naughty Dog wanted to include a Crash Bandicoot game in Uncharted 4, but said it was basically impossible.

Sony struck a deal with Activision to get the IP or to use it between late summer of 2015 and December of 2015.

Crash Bandicoot 20th Anniversary game hits development.

Naughty Dog puts Crash Bandicoot in Uncharted 4.

Shawn Layden wears Crash Bandicoot shirt to get people speculating and hyped.

Crash Bandicoot is in Uncharted 4 similar to how Last of Us easter egg was in Uncharted 3.

E3 2016: Crash Bandicoot Returns.
 
If a new Crash does exist, should we expect a hallway runner like the originals, or a full open world platformer like Jak?

I'd like something like Mario 64 where the hub world leads to other loaded maps. Some could be big, but I'd hope to see some classic corridor platforming as well.
I want a hallway runner, please.
 
Well.. Ergh... Just wait on Wednesday. I don't want to get in trouble explaining why everyone thinks so due to a recent evidence.

Easter eggs mean nothing.

All relevant stats involving them owning the IP are still in place, and you can't just delay switching names after already selling because that's against the law.

Again, why would Activision give up crash?

Before Skylandersr, Crash was way ahead of Spyro for them, and the last few games sold well.

Crash Hype may mean money why would they give away free money?

Last I checked Twinsanity and WOC are still on XBLA.

We are using an easter egg for a hint when logically ti would make no sense for them to sell the franchise and all legal registrations regarding the IP are still in Activisions name?
 
Not only that but you guys forgot that the first 5 Crash games are distributed by Sony without Activisions name involved, so of course an emulated gameplay section from a PS1 game won't have Activision in the credits when those 5 PS1 games SOny has rights of distribution (not editing of course)
 

tanooki27

Member
they'd have to spend a shit ton on it to satisfy the ragers, but it prob wouldn't sell to a mass market unless there was some huge gameplay innovation or omnipresent marketing push or both.
 

SCChappy

Banned
Not only that but you guys forgot that the first 5 Crash games are distributed by Sony without Activisions name involved, so of course an emulated gameplay section from a PS1 game won't have Activision in the credits when those 5 PS1 games SOny has rights of distribution (not editing of course)


Activision is credited in ND's art book that has crash 1-3 art in it. This is incorrect.
 

Sponge

Banned
Not only that but you guys forgot that the first 5 Crash games are distributed by Sony without Activisions name involved, so of course an emulated gameplay section from a PS1 game won't have Activision in the credits when those 5 PS1 games SOny has rights of distribution (not editing of course)

Activision still owns the IP though, and art from those games were in Naughty Dog's art book and Activision still had to be credited.
 
Activision is credited in ND's art book that has crash 1-3 art in it. This is incorrect.

An art book isn't game software for distribution, at least try.

Activision still owns the IP though, and art from those games were in Naughty Dog's art book and Activision still had to be credited.

OMG guys LOOK at what I wrote. The fact is that for the "games" they from I last checked, had Zero of anything Activision on them unless they just suddenly added them tot he PSN games the last 15 days.

So then having zero credits from Activison in Uncharted 4 makes sense ecause it's just a level from an emulated game they have rights of distribution of.

May I remind you that PSN had Crash 1-3 CTR, while XBL had Crash Woc, Twinsanity, and Nitro Kart?
 
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