iF this is true, then it is indeed a sad day for independent developers.
However, I remeber someone claiming that STALKER (I think it was Stalker) also had stole textures from either Oblivion or Doom 3. It was later revealed that both the devs. behind STALKER and the devs. from Oblivion or DOOM 3 had licensed the exact same assets from a third party (russian?) webiste/firm where they could get them for free, I think?
My guess is that this at least in part could be an explanation here.
The bigger discussion it this one:
Do Bethesda or any other game developer have copy right to a staircase used in a mansion in a game? If they have, then the whole gaming community could well be in trouble asd this would mean that noone ever could make a traditional mansion with a long winding staircase...
I'm not advocating theft or IP or copy right infringement here,
and I think it is sad when Majestic Studio indeed took a shortcut by imitating (or copying) some or all of Oblivion's content or rooms in Oblivion.
The story in Limbo of the Lost seems nowhere to be ripped off from Oblivion which is what I hear when I hear the word 'level design'.
Many games today use the Unreal 3 engine (like Oblivion) and many games today also use Speedtree, and Havoc for physics effects. That's why they apparently all look the same today s compared to the game of yesteryear where handcolored backgrounds were much more prevalent.
Again, I'm not saying that Majestic Studios didn't do anything wrong, (it certainly looks that way right now, though), but let's say you where to make a game and you needed an old victorian mansion. Wouldn't you think of an old house in sort of gothic style with a long winded staircase, possibly starting in the middle and a rug in the hallway + maybe a varm and cosy fireplace? I know I would...
Please do not take this an excuse for any copyright stealing or infringement, mere a question on where to draw the line between inspiration and stealing...
Edited by Karsten (06/12/08 06:19 AM)
Edit Reason: changed content
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