Modifying video games is nothing new. Most mods are overlooked by game developers because a good chunk of them are not malicious and the modders themselves aren't looking to break the game; they just want to improve it in some way. However, yesterday, we reported that a talented modder named Ryan created an MMO mod using the Starcraft II engine calling it World of Starcraft. Blizzard had the trailer for the mod pulled from YouTube citing copyright infringement, but no other contact was made. Ryan attempted to make contact with Blizzard regarding the issue, but was directed to another department leaving the issue unresolved for the moment.
There is, however, a silver lining in all of this. The popularity and quality of the mod caught the attention of Riot Games, the creators of League of Legends. A developer from Riot contacted Ryan via Pixelated Geek offering him a job. This was later confirmed as an actual offer on the League of Legends official forums. Lead Designer Tod "Zileas" Cadwell said this: "When I see a modder with a lot of drive that has done something cool, I tend to contact them. I shot him an email recently asking if he was interested in exploring an opportunity here. As to what comes of that, who knows -- that depends on the mutual fit and his own goals."
Cadwell believes the legal issues do not extend beyond the name of the mod, so it is very possible Ryan will be living out his dream as a game designer. Sometimes dreams do come true.
[Update: We want to clarify that Riot Games is only talking with Ryan at this point, and no actual job offer is pending (despite previous reports).]
Reader Comments (34)
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:02AM Avernus said
WIN! hahah
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:07AM Tom in VA said
Ahh, a happy ending. I like this. :)
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:10AM Barinthos said
Always nice to see people with great potential land jobs they'll excel at. And we might be able to reap the benefits in a couple years with yet another game. Win for all of us!
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:12AM armoredisamu said
Nice, good job (no pun intended) Ryan. :)
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:27AM Loopy said
Awesome :)
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:28AM Alboreo said
/highfive
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:32AM (Unverified) said
Congrats!
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:39AM DudemanJones said
If Blizzard weren't evil, they would have done this.
Instead, they just acted like bullies. Screw off ActiBlizz
Instead, they just acted like bullies. Screw off ActiBlizz
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:57AM delphinius81 said
@DudemanJones
I wouldn't be surprised if the actual Blizzard leads thought it was a really awesome mod. Unfortunately, the realities of protecting a business' IP overrules any coolness factor. It really looks like the problem was the name of the mod, not the mod itself. Calling your mod a derivation of two highly known, trademarked IPs is a problem. A-B is well within their rights to issue the Cease and Desist on the videos.
Could they have shown more tact? Sure. But the Internet hate against A-B over this is overblown.
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I wouldn't be surprised if the actual Blizzard leads thought it was a really awesome mod. Unfortunately, the realities of protecting a business' IP overrules any coolness factor. It really looks like the problem was the name of the mod, not the mod itself. Calling your mod a derivation of two highly known, trademarked IPs is a problem. A-B is well within their rights to issue the Cease and Desist on the videos.
Could they have shown more tact? Sure. But the Internet hate against A-B over this is overblown.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 12:05PM DudemanJones said
@delphinius81 This is what I'm getting at mostly. I can't stand the modern knee-jerk "Stop that or we'll sue" reaction. They could have just as easily stated "Look, we're concerned that your mod collides with our IP in this this and this way, so could you kindly address these concerns? Otherwise, we will be forced to issue a C&D to you regarding these matters."
They come off as way more respectful to the person, instead of implying criminal intent in their actions. Instead, they come of as childish and impulsive.
So I'll repeat. Screw off ActiBlizz.
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They come off as way more respectful to the person, instead of implying criminal intent in their actions. Instead, they come of as childish and impulsive.
So I'll repeat. Screw off ActiBlizz.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 12:10PM Eamil said
@DudemanJones A video got taken down off Youtube. And Blizzard didn't even send the mod author anything, let alone a "stop that or we'll sue" message.
It's entirely possible that Youtube's anti-infringement scripts zapped the video automatically - it does get trigger happy sometimes. I just wish people would wait for more information before making snap judgements.
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It's entirely possible that Youtube's anti-infringement scripts zapped the video automatically - it does get trigger happy sometimes. I just wish people would wait for more information before making snap judgements.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 1:26PM Beau Hindman said
@ChongShin I'm sure Blizzard has the choice of the best people in the business. Nothing against the modder, but I have a very strong feeling that they can hire someone who can make something wholly original.
Beau
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Beau
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:45AM cotheer said
What else to say than: Suck on that Blizzvision
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:53AM Arkanaloth said
that's awesome.. Acti-blizzard should have snapped him up instead of tossing him to the legal dogs. Their loss... If you're reading this, I hope to see you do great things in the future Ryan.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:55AM Eamil said
So much conclusion-jumping.
Posted: Jan 20th 2011 12:12PM Eamil said
@KvanCetre Yeah. I'm not saying they're not in the wrong for sure, much like I'd never dream of saying Obama is never in the wrong. I just don't think we have enough information to say what Blizzard's/Activision's motive is or if they even HAVE a motive and it wasn't just Youtube zapping things on their own.
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Posted: Jan 20th 2011 11:55AM Coolit said
Awesome.. World of League of Legends. lol









