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General discussion (archive)Is dotemu copying GoG?(24 posts)(24 posts)
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Posted July 11, 2012
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wolfmanrip: Thanks for the information guys.

I am surprised that steam hasn't started selling many older PC titles given that the publishers could just hand them the patched versions. You would think they would have at least grabbed Baldurs gate.
Like most retailers (and publishers for that matter), they didn't think there was any kind of market for those kinds of games. Good thing, otherwise we probably wouldn't have GOG.
Posted July 11, 2012
No they're not. I bought a game from Dotemu that's also available on GOG, and it was a different version from the one GOG sells.

I think it's kind of silly how people seem to think any kind of competition is an attack on GOG :P
Posted July 11, 2012
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wolfmanrip: Ok i will provide a clear example.

Beamdog releases Baldurs Gate enhanced edition but they don't give anyone else the write to release their version of that game.

If steam or GoG made their own enhanced edition of baldurs gate and sold it then would that break copyright laws?
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Neobr10: Note that BG EE is not BG patched up with compability fixes (like GOG's version), but a whole new game, which will even have quests not available in the original.
wow, i didn't know that... i was thinking they was just increasing the resolution and making versions for tablets... now i'm really interested..
soo, they have any prevision for the launch? ;p
Posted July 11, 2012
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wolfmanrip: Thanks for the information guys.

I am surprised that steam hasn't started selling many older PC titles given that the publishers could just hand them the patched versions. You would think they would have at least grabbed Baldurs gate.
Actually, they do have a few interesting old titles that are not available here on GOG, such as Rune, all old id shooters (Wolfenstein, Doom, Quake, Hexen), and a few Lucasarts game (like the Monkey Island series and the Jedi Knight/Dark Forces series).
Posted July 11, 2012
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wolfmanrip: Ok i will provide a clear example.

Beamdog releases Baldurs Gate enhanced edition but they don't give anyone else the write to release their version of that game.

If steam or GoG made their own enhanced edition of baldurs gate and sold it then would that break copyright laws?
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Neobr10: No, these are totally different things. GOG just patches games to work on modern systems, they dont add anything to the code or anything. And most of said "patches" come from the community itself. If you look around there are many unnoficial patches and workarounds for older games with compability issues. GOG just makes it much easier than having to search through the entire net for fixes. It already comes pre-patched and fixed to work on modern systems, something you would not get if you bought in retail. Again, GOG doesnt create anything, most of the time, they sell the games exactly the same way they get from publishers, they just patch, fix and then get it into an installer package of their own. There is no copyright involved, since they pretty much just get permissions from publishers to sell their games here. They dont own these games, publishers do.

Now with BG Enhanced Edition its a whole different issue. BG EE will not be the same game with higher resolutions, it will be a complete remake (same with MDK 2). Beamdog is doing this (Overhaul Games, an internal division of BD, to be more precise), and they probably will have exclusive right since they are the ones making the game. It could be released on other platforms if Beamdog allows it, like MDK 2 which will be released soon on Steam from what i have heard.

Note that BG EE is not BG patched up with compability fixes (like GOG's version), but a whole new game, which will even have quests not available in the original.

I heard that some games in Gamersgate even use GOG's installer.
Would not be too sure about BG EE. I read in different places from the start its basically a HD reskin job + SOME new material including quests and a few Chars. And making it work and fit properly first and foremost on tablets blah blah. Its not something radically new.
Unfortunately (from my view) they are also looking at trying to do the same with PST :/
Posted July 11, 2012
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maycett: No they're not. I bought a game from Dotemu that's also available on GOG, and it was a different version from the one GOG sells.

I think it's kind of silly how people seem to think any kind of competition is an attack on GOG :P
My mindset at the time was that i had never heard of dotemu and i thought GOG was the only big DD of patched older games. Since GOG's games obviously have no DRM (thankfully) theres nothing to stop another site from selling GOG's version if they obtain the rights from the publisher to sell the title.

My issue would be another site just copying all of GOG's patched games and gaining the rights from the publisher to sell them as that would mean some of gogs work/time/money is used to benefit another site.

I have nothing against competition. I buy games from many different sites. I was just under the assumption that GOG had some exclusive rights to some of their patched older titles. The ones they personal put work into patching. I am obviously wrong and anyone can sell any game patched or not if they gain the rights from the publisher. (so long as the patch has no new content)
Post edited July 11, 2012 by wolfmanrip
Posted July 12, 2012
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nijuu: Would not be too sure about BG EE. I read in different places from the start its basically a HD reskin job + SOME new material including quests and a few Chars. And making it work and fit properly first and foremost on tablets blah blah. Its not something radically new.
Unfortunately (from my view) they are also looking at trying to do the same with PST :/
Yeah, youre right. That was a terrible choice of words from my part. I didnt mean it would be a totally new game, of course it will not, but it will be a major improvement over BG that isnt limited to a few patches and compability fixes like GOG's version. This is what i wanted to get across.

In that sense, it is a "new game", because it will have more content not available in the original. So, GOG wont be able to get it unless Beamdog approves.
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Neobr10: Note that BG EE is not BG patched up with compability fixes (like GOG's version), but a whole new game, which will even have quests not available in the original.
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Stooner: wow, i didn't know that... i was thinking they was just increasing the resolution and making versions for tablets... now i'm really interested..
soo, they have any prevision for the launch? ;p
I still dont know launch details.
Post edited July 12, 2012 by Neobr10
Posted July 12, 2012
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wolfmanrip: Example. GoG fixs Blood omen: legacy of Kain to work on windows xp/7 and obtains the writes to sell this version of the game. Another site updates blood omen to work on xp/w7 and gains the writes to sell it themselves from the dev/publisher. Would that not be classed as stealing their idea? or copying their work?
Frankly, I don't care who will fix and sell Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and if it's stealing anyone's idea - JUST DO IT ALREADY!!! TAKE MY MONEY!!! :P
Posted July 18, 2012
Has anybody got any advice they could give me, i bought Still Life the other week from Dotemu then saw Still Life 1 and 2 bundle for sale in steams summer sale, i haven't downloaded Still Life so asked for a refund, well after three messages to them they haven't replied at all, not sure why they wont give me a refund for a game i haven't downloaded not long after buying.
Post edited July 18, 2012 by Neilk40
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Community
General discussion (archive)Is dotemu copying GoG?(24 posts)(24 posts)
(24 posts)