http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/28813/Activision_Announces_Independent_Games_Competition.php
Activision, typically known for its big budget releases like the Call of Duty and and Guitar Hero franchises, has announced the Activision Independent Games Competition.This inaugural edition of the competition will comprise of two phases, the first of which invites individuals and teams in the United States to submit their projects. Activision will accept entries, which can be completed or in-development games (as well as concepts and proposals), starting today through August 31st 2010.The publisher will then announce a first- and second-place winner, bestowing $175,000 to the former and $75,000 to the latter to fund further development of their games, in October 2010. The second phase of the competition will begin at a later date, with details on that round forthcoming.By the end of the competition, Activision expects to have awarded $500,000 to support independent game developers and their projects. You can read the official rules for the Activision Independent Games Competition and submit your title at Activision's Sweepstakes page."This competition underscores our commitment to supporting the creative spirit and innovation of developers," says Activision's EVP of Studios Dave Stohl. "I started my career as a software developer, so this opportunity is something I'm personally very proud to offer to the industry's young visionaries."
Oh dear. Wait a second by reading their fine-print does that mean any further gaming products/mods/maps you make yourself ZehDon will have to have activision written in the most abrasive colours all over it?
Guys, if you are making a game, this is worth a short to you, because it gives you funding, and for folks who just want to get started in the gaming industry, and a lot of these will have some Computer science/game programming background from a respectable college, than, they probably don't care. I mean..if you are enrolled in an acting school, do you care if Paramount or Warner Bros sponsor an acting/talent competition, and the winner gets to sign on with the studios in one of their big budget films.
But it does matter. These are the same guys that are screaming foul about others treading on their rights to their IP. And they are doing the exact same thing to the new guys, just in a legal (and more disgusting) way because they place it in the fine print and don't just come out and say it. Granted your own damn fault for not understanding what you are getting into. But that doesn't change the fact that legal jargon is dileberately confusing and deceptive for that very reason. Coimpare it to making someone who doesn't have water give you everything he has to get acsess to your well. A more extreme analogy i'll admit but perfectly legal and absolutely morally bankrupt.
Not only that, but think about this. There will be mabey 1 2 or even 3 winners. But they retain the rights to EVERY bit of subjected material. So yeah while it will be great (mabey) for a couple of people. Alot more will get raped out of their IP. So in essence these asshole are pirating (or taking advantage of if you have problem with the term pirating being used this way)alot of people who are just trying to make a good game and provide a lifestyle for themselves. God the thought of them actually legally being able to get away with this just sends me fuming...
We all know game production is a expensive proposition. Not only is there the time and cost of making a game. But there is the production of the medium, the negotations with retailers and a hundred other stops in the way. These guys are the gatekeepers. And as the gatekeepers they maliciously and dileberately keep the process as complicated/expensive/inaccesiable as possible to retain their control over the industry as a whole and their profit margin as wide as possible.
I knew there'd be some caveat, but this, this is something else. It saddens me that such companies exist, now excuse me while I go sit in a corner and cry.
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