The comedy train that is Alganon just keeps on rolling. Ethic over at Kill Ten Rats alerts us to a press release for the newly relaunched fantasy MMORPG that copies, nearly word for word, the verbiage used by Bioware to promote Star Wars: The Old Republic almost two years ago.
"'Traditionally, massively multiplier online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars – combat, exploration and character progression,' Derek Smart continued. 'In Alganon, in addition to these we've added the fourth pillar to the equation; a story. We delivered a fun, immersive adventure that gamers expect in a top quality massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, we're not done yet. A whole new adventure with new updates will follow soon, starting with a consignment house, new classes, PvP and much more,'" proclaims the offending release.
Sound familiar? That's probably because it was posted a while back on The Old Republic's official site:
"Traditionally, massively multiplayer online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars – combat, exploration and character progression," said Dr. Ray Muzyka, Co-Founder and General Manager/CEO of BioWare and General Manager/Vice President of Electronic Arts Inc., "In Star Wars: The Old Republic, we're fusing BioWare's heritage of critically-acclaimed storytelling with the amazing pedigree of Lucasfilm and LucasArts, and adding a brand-new fourth pillar to the equation – story. At the same time, we will still deliver all the fun features and activities that fans have come to expect in a AAA massively multiplayer online game. To top it all off, Star Wars: The Old Republic is set in a very exciting, dynamic period in the Star Wars universe," reads a BioWare release dated in October 2008.
Check out Ethic's post over at Kill Ten Rats. Additionally, Massively has contacted Quest Online for comment and will update the story as information becomes available.
[Update: Quest CEO Derek Smart has responded with this post over on Alganon's official boards.]
Reader Comments (98)
Posted: May 8th 2010 10:50PM (Unverified) said
It says on the website now:
"Traditionally, massively multiplier online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," Derek Smart continued. "In Alganon, in addition to these we've added the fourth pillar to the equation; a story."....
The golden part here is "Derek Smart continued".. How was that lost on the copy to this site?
It's amazing, it's like let's not only take another studios press release, but let's just change the quote from Dr. Ray Muzyka to Derek Smart.
Derek Smart probably did all of this himself. He is a lifelong charlatan.
Reply
"Traditionally, massively multiplier online games have been about three basic gameplay pillars - combat, exploration and character progression," Derek Smart continued. "In Alganon, in addition to these we've added the fourth pillar to the equation; a story."....
The golden part here is "Derek Smart continued".. How was that lost on the copy to this site?
It's amazing, it's like let's not only take another studios press release, but let's just change the quote from Dr. Ray Muzyka to Derek Smart.
Derek Smart probably did all of this himself. He is a lifelong charlatan.
Posted: May 8th 2010 9:36PM druzeltheimp said
So the dude who typed up the press statement put one short paragraph in it that is similar although not the same to one that was put out in 2008 for TOR. And this is a big deal. Really?
But wait, I'm not being reactionary enough. Let me try that again without actually using my brain.
LOL maby they can sue for plagerizm lol FAIL
There, now I sound like all the other dumb-asses here.
Reply
But wait, I'm not being reactionary enough. Let me try that again without actually using my brain.
LOL maby they can sue for plagerizm lol FAIL
There, now I sound like all the other dumb-asses here.
Posted: May 8th 2010 9:45PM centrik said
You either didn't read the actual press releases or have the reading comprehension of a 5th grade student.
The Alganon statement is almost a word for word copy of the SW:TOR release Bioware put out.
And these aren't generic comments here. These are very specific claims about a fourth pillar of storytelling.
And it's not about a law suit. It's about a company that has already had trouble keeping its dirty laundry secret plagiarizing another company statement. And contrary to what you seem to believe, plagiary is a big deal. Stealing someone else's words or ideas without citing them is low and indicative of an unoriginal and ignorant mind.
So get your contrarian head out of your ass and get off your high horse; you look like a child.
Reply
The Alganon statement is almost a word for word copy of the SW:TOR release Bioware put out.
And these aren't generic comments here. These are very specific claims about a fourth pillar of storytelling.
And it's not about a law suit. It's about a company that has already had trouble keeping its dirty laundry secret plagiarizing another company statement. And contrary to what you seem to believe, plagiary is a big deal. Stealing someone else's words or ideas without citing them is low and indicative of an unoriginal and ignorant mind.
So get your contrarian head out of your ass and get off your high horse; you look like a child.
Posted: May 8th 2010 9:46PM (Unverified) said
Apparently, Smedley from Everquest 2 used the same lines in 2004. Don't know if that's true or not, but if it is...then it probably would have been a PR person's fault and not Quest. Not that I'm trying to defend them. Maybe they just stole some stolen goods, lol.
Reply
Posted: May 9th 2010 4:24AM (Unverified) said
@SgtBaker
You're right - but much like faking your resume, or influencing/rigging the votes of an election, you always know it's going to happen to some degree, but to do it so brazenly indicates a character problem ("this guy will steal everything he can") or a judgment problem ("does he really think noone will notice?"), neither of which is a good thing.
Reply
You're right - but much like faking your resume, or influencing/rigging the votes of an election, you always know it's going to happen to some degree, but to do it so brazenly indicates a character problem ("this guy will steal everything he can") or a judgment problem ("does he really think noone will notice?"), neither of which is a good thing.
Posted: May 8th 2010 9:44PM MrDiamondJ said
I think you're missing the point. They are PAYING somebody to write that press release. The fact that a "professional" person copied it from anywhere is embarrassing.
Reply
Posted: May 8th 2010 9:49PM (Unverified) said
All PR speech and press releases are basically the same but using the exact words and analogy is really lame. I'm sure the guy who wrote this thing knew that it would be recognized because Bioware talked about pillars and how they are adding the fourth pillar so much that we were on the verge of throwing up. So i think this was done deliberately to get free publicity.
It's not that they are known for their dignity anyways...
Reply
It's not that they are known for their dignity anyways...
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