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[MisterX]

I can't fathom why SEGA wants to protect copyrights that it's not even using.

Well, in recent years SEGA sold Streets of Rage for many different systems, partly in various collections. So, I guess they have every right to "protect" a game they are still making money off. Of course, it's always a bit sad to see a fan project like this shot down, but I guess anyone who wants to download it can and will always be able to do so easily, so it's not like the work goes to waste.

[C.A. Sinner]

I highly doubt anyone's going to stop buying official SoR games because of this though.

Sure Sega has the right to "protect" their IP but being legally entitled to do something and being a douchebag are two separate things.

[Gimym TILBERT]

btw:
Quick, before Sega sees it!

Thanks for that. Downloading now.

I can't fathom why SEGA wants to protect copyrights that it's not even using. They haven't taken down Sonic Fan Remix, and it's gotten way more press and it's using their sacred cow.

Wait till it's done!

I think they like when people suffer.

[Tuba]

If anything, this would raise the hype for a SoR..

It's SEGA's right to defend their own property, but they should have done that 8 years ago. Shutting down a fan project of this size, after it's done is a real dick move!

[Aquin]

I kinda get SEGA's position.  They need to defend their copyright on SOR or else lose it.  Marvel was *kinda* forced into a lawsuit against CoH by their lawyers for the same reasons.

Of course this is a free fanproject, which means SEGA has overzealous/bored attorneys.  However, there is a much simpler solution that isn't a PR nightmare:  sanction the fanproject. 

Whatever, I'm still out.  Yakuza 4 is out now, and I was definitely buying it.  But now I'm sticking to my guns.  I'm not buying another SEGA product for a good long while.

(I pulled the same thing with Blizzard over the Starcraft mod, but they shamed me the very next day by sanctioning the project.  So SEGA is one of the few companies that *doesn't* get it.)

[Richard Kain]

I can't fathom why SEGA wants to protect copyrights that it's not even using. They haven't taken down Sonic Fan Remix, and it's gotten way more press and it's using their sacred cow.

Well, at the moment it seems like Sega's lawyers are both short-sighted, and lazy. They are short-sighted for not coming up with a compromise that would leverage this fan remake properly. They are lazy for not having jumped on this fan remake until after it had already been released. (as well as not responding to the earlier inquiries by the creators)

I would once again point to the example set by Activision over "Sarien." A fan produced an in-browser emulator for playing classic Sierra adventure games. It became popular and started getting press. Activision initially sent a Cease and Desist. But then they got in touch with the creator, and took a better look at what had been done. They offered a compromise that would provide them with some free advertising, and the creator eagerly accepted their terms. Now anyone can play the initial entries in several classic Sierra adventure game series with the express permission of the licence holder.

An arrangement along those lines would be beneficial to Sega. They could have the remake creators link interested players to stores where they can buy copies of the original Streets of Rage games. They could also use the remake as a means of promoting interest in the series, in preparation for a new title, or even a new collection. Or if they really wanted to, they could pay the remake creators for their efforts, and actually port their project to whatever platform they want to sell it on. It would be such a shame for it to end with the remake being blocked for no good reason.

[moi]

Good job whoever, I just downloaded this game that I would never have downloaded otherwise

[Rm88~]

Same. I just don't know when I'll start playing it.

Also, SoR is a Final Fight fangame.

[Tuba]

Also, SoR is a Final Fight fangame.

[Gimym TILBERT]

What's a final fight?

[moi]

What's a final fight?

Bond* m*****w

[Gimym TILBERT]

Update: Sega Europe reps responded with the following statement: "SEGA is committed to supporting any fans that take an interest in our games, and where possible we do so by involving them in Beta tests and other development, marketing or research opportunities. However we need to protect our intellectual property rights and this may result in us requesting that our fans remove online imagery, videos or games in some instances."

[C.A. Sinner]

Whatever, I'm still out.  Yakuza 4 is out now, and I was definitely buying it.  But now I'm sticking to my guns.  I'm not buying another SEGA product for a good long while.

I dunno dude, is abstaining from Platinum Games really worth it?

[Toom]

Update: Sega Europe reps responded with the following statement: "SEGA is committed to supporting any fans that take an interest in our games, so long as they express that interest by giving us fat sacks of cash, rather than by showing us up for the workshy graspers we've become."

[Kramlack]

Just had a chance to try this out (thanks Sinclair). It's so well done, a real gamers game. Looking forward to trying out the 2P with a friend.

Rats off to Bomber Games for making such a well done fangame.