Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc
Subject: Re: BattleMech Game for MS-DOS
From: ppugliese@pimacc.pima.edu
Date: 27 Aug 92 19:45:29 -0700
Distribution: rec.games.frp.misc

In article <NIGEL.92Aug27190943@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov>, nigel@rs733.GSFC.NASA.Gov writes:
> 
> In article    From: kabreuer@cip.informatik.uni-erlangen.de (Klaus Breuer)
> 
>>   Hi everyone!
> 
>>   I'm busy translating the BattleTech game for the PC, as our group doesn't
>>   meet very often. And yes, I know about Infocom's games, but I was looking
>>   for a Strategy version closely following the board game.
> 
>>   Not having found one, I'm writing my own.
>>   But surely, I'm not the only one with this problem? Except for 'MechForce'
>>   on the (ugh) Amiga, are there any other programs like that around?
> 
> It is simply amazing the number of PC owners that are so insecure with
> their "state of the art" 486 machines that they must bash the 1985
> vintage technology Amigas...to which most Amiga owners respond "I spent
> $699 for a multi-tasking, multi-media platform that plays some great
> games...how much did you spend on your 486/SVGA/SoundBlaster game machine?"
> 

You mean a $699 system that hardly any game companies support don't you?
(Still waiting for WC or Ultima 7? Don't hold your breath!)  

Heck, Lord British is a self-admitted Mac-fanatic & he won't port them
over to that because he knows there's not enough of a market. (He said
IBM is 80% of the game market. I wonder how much the Amiga is?)

>>   Anyone else working on a program like that? Who can give me some tips?
> 
> Yes...don't bother.  If you do a good job of implementing BattleTech
> FASA will sue you if you release it public domain or attempt to sell
> it.  BattleTech is a copyrighted and trademarked game.  If you hack it
> sufficiently that FASA will ignore you then you aren't doing
> BattleTech anymore.  Not necessarily a bad idea but it wouldn't be the
> same...  

Well I'm sure you may *think* it's illegal in Germany but have you actually
checked it out?

> 
> Given the way FASA has dicked over Ralph Reed (Author of MechForce)
> and dropped the ball on a PC release of BattleTech I think PD game
> writers should be very leery of writing computer games based on FASA
> products unless they have a good lawyer on retainer...
> 
> If you don't plan on releasing it then hack away but it'd be a shame
> if you put a lot of effort into it and no one else could play it.
> 

Just release it & when they bitch (IF they bitch) then it'll be too
late. Alternatively, you can just release it anonymously & it'll be
up to them to PROVE that it's really your work. 
 
> You may also think twice about the Mech Designer programs if they use
> a lot of FASA terminology.  Didn't TSR have a snit fit a few years
> back with AD&D character designers?  Maybe not...but in this sue happy
> country (yes, I figure you aren't in the US by your mail address but
> FASA may have trademarked BTech in your country as well) I wouldn't be
> surprised.  IMHO it is a stupid thing for game companies to slam
> people helping their market penetration...
> 

There's Mech Designer programs that are already out & have been out
for years. One's even Shareware! Don't sweat it!

PHIL

Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.misc