Marvel and City of Heroes

[dperceful]

Interesting article (http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/041111/superhero_lawsuit_2.html) about Marvel suing City of Heroes developers.

I've played the game and it is very possible to make a character like Wolverine, Hulk, Luke Cage, Punisher, etc. Of course you can get pretty close to DC and other characters as well. I was wondering when Marvel would do this....they did the same thing to Freedom Force...which was a great game. I understand their (Marvel) viewpoint...but really it's done as a tribute....most players aren't creating a look-a-like Hulk to mock him...they want to play as The Hulk. Marvel wants you to play their Hulk and that is very understandable since they own him and they don't want that property misrepresented in anyway. guess it's time to create that Marvel Universe MMORPG...oh wait...everyone will want to play as Wolverine...so guess they can't do that. IF Marvel does go into the MMORPG world....it's going to be very interesting to see how they handle it. Also with City of Villains coming out next year or this December (I can't rmember when) this lawsuit could have impact on that release as well.

dan

[This message has been edited by dperceful (edited 11-13-2004).]

[kidcomix]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dperceful:
<B>Interesting [url=http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/041111/superhero_lawsuit_2.html]article[/url about Marvel suing City of Heroes developers.

I've played the game and it is very possible to make a character like Wolverine, Hulk, Luke Cage, Punisher, etc. Of course you can get pretty close to DC and other characters as well. I was wondering when Marvel would do this....they did the same thing to Freedom Force...which was a great game. I understand their (Marvel) viewpoint...but really it's done as a tribute....most players aren't creating a look-a-like Hulk to mock him...they want to play as The Hulk. Marvel wants you to play their Hulk and that is very understandable since they own him and they don't want that property misrepresented in anyway. guess it's time to create that Marvel Universe MMORPG...oh wait...everyone will want to play as Wolverine...so guess they can't do that. IF Marvel does go into the MMORPG world....it's going to be very interesting to see how they handle it. Also with City of Villains coming out next year or this December (I can't rmember when) this lawsuit could have impact on that release as well.

dan</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I play CoH constantly and enjoy my time with the MMORPG universe. True, we get alot of Wolverines, Hulks, X-characters, and the like but this only proves an appreciation and fan base for these Marvel characters. The same goes for the D.C. characters. Certainly, copyright infringement comes to mind but in the CoH universe the characters may resemble but do not look exactly like the characters from the major comic book studios. Personally, I created my characters from scratch but a few may take on a few traits both in appearance and char bios similar to other well known heroes but don't we all? Furthermore, CoH provides much more room for imagination when creating and developing a character so there is alot more occuring than what is limited to one universe like Marvel or D.C. I've played a few licensced character games by Marvel and D.C. and never been impressed by them. With CoH, I feel that I'm given more freedom as a player and as a creator than just forced to be given a character and having to lvl that character out throughout the entire game. In conclusion, comic book company's should not be worried that a MMORPG game like CoH would infringe on their license and just be grateful for the free advertising they are receiving when a consumer makes a dedication to one of their characters for another company.

[Majik1387]

The reason that Marvel sued City of Heroes and Freedom Force is because they are creating a MMRPG for the P.C. where it is basically all the comics (like X-Men, Hulk, Punisher, Spiderman, etc.) are combined, and players choose from a roster of 4005 characters. It is said to come out in 2008.

[dperceful]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Majik1387:
The reason that Marvel sued City of Heroes and Freedom Force is because they are creating a MMRPG for the P.C. where it is basically all the comics (like X-Men, Hulk, Punisher, Spiderman, etc.) are combined, and players choose from a roster of 4005 characters. It is said to come out in 2008.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

well yeah, that's a given (i can't wait to play as Spider-Man...taken, Punisher....taken, Cyclops...taken.....Captain America...taken....Howard the Duck...available). but how does Marvel control something like what is done in City of Heroes or Freedom Force? i don't see a way to control it without pissing off potential clients down the road. i completely understand why they are suing the company, it will be interesting to see it get played out.

dan

[kidcomix]

Sad to say that if Marvel or the other comic companies get their way with this lawsuit, I'm going to lose all respect for this industry. Certainly, you cannot blame ncsoft for something that a player does to create a character based on a film or comic book character. Creativity is not something that you can license. But in the world of big business corporations, you cannot fight the system. *Sigh* I guess it's time to put away the comic books since I would be one to boycott the company for something as silly as this lawsuit.

[dperceful]

NCsoft can easily argue that it's the consumer making similar characters and not them. How can they (ncsoft) control that?

[kidcomix]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dperceful:
NCsoft can easily argue that it's the consumer making similar characters and not them. How can they (ncsoft) control that? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree completely. Now players to the CoH world know they've seen other subscribers creating Marvel or D.C. characters though bearing the resemblance but not actually looking like the any of the licensed characters, maybe except for the name. Truly, it is not the fault of the ncsoft company if a player chooses to create and use their fave hero and play it out. And for the record, I've seen some die hard D.C. and Marvel fans ridicule each other's characters which, in itself, is a great grudge match to watch or criticize the player's character AUTHENCITY. LOL. Anyway, we'll see how this lawsuit pans out and just keep playing CoH for sheer enjoyment of it.

[dperceful]

the one thing they could do is get rid of the very specific powers and looks. are claws really a big power in the comic universe...not really. how many characters have a swept back winged mask like wolverine.....not too many. i thought it was very lame to include stuff like that.....that was just asking for 7000 wolverine clones. it's like adding a spider power category......stupid and asking to get sued.

but again, it's the consumer doing this, not the developer. however it might be the developers job to find a way to enforce it. Marvel did get the Freedom Force skins removed, so there is some footing for them to pursue this legally.

dan