Take-Two Is Suing Reverse-Engineered GTA 3 and Vice City Fan Project Creators
Take-Two Interactive is suing the creators of reverse-engineered Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City fan projects.
This news comes by way of VideoGamesChronicle, which reports that the lawsuit was filed in California and names 14 programmers who were working on the project. IGN reported back in February that this project had received a DMCA takedown from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games.
The lawsuit claims that the people on the project "are well aware that they do not possess the right to copy, adapt, or distribute derivative GTA source code, or the audiovisual elements of the games, and that doing so constitutes copyright infringement," according to VGC.
It's important to note that the team isn't actually using GTA 3 or Vice City source code — they instead recreated it using newer coding languages. This project doesn't contain any Rockstar assets, either, so players that wish to use this reverse-engineered source code will actually need to have their own copy of GTA 3 or Vice City to create a port of the games using this code.
However, as Take-Two's lawsuit notes, the company is suing the creators behind the project for distributing "derivative GTA source code."
Take-Two claims that the project, more formally known as Re3 or ReVC on GitHub, is causing "irreparable harm to Take-Two," both in terms of copyright infringement and in terms of the fact that now technically anybody can create their own version of GTA 3 or Vice City using the reverse-engineered code.
VGC notes that in the lawsuit, Take-Two says it tried to remove the project from GitHub where it was being distributed. According to Take-Two, three of the project's programmers "knowingly filed bad faith counter-notifications that materially misrepresented the legality of their content, apparently claiming that because they allegedly 'reverse-engineered' the games' source code, they somehow cannot be liable for copyright infringement."
It seems that this will be the central argument of the case: does reverse-engineering a source code count as copyright infringement? Only time will tell for now.
Read about how the team behind the reverse-engineered source code had their project taken down back in February and then read about how Rockstar might be working on a Grand Theft Auto remastered trilogy after that.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Take-Two Is Suing Reverse-Engineered GTA 3 and Vice City Fan Project Creators
Take-Two Interactive is suing the creators of reverse-engineered Grand Theft Auto 3 and Grand Theft Auto Vice City fan projects.
This news comes by way of VideoGamesChronicle, which reports that the lawsuit was filed in California and names 14 programmers who were working on the project. IGN reported back in February that this project had received a DMCA takedown from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games.
The lawsuit claims that the people on the project "are well aware that they do not possess the right to copy, adapt, or distribute derivative GTA source code, or the audiovisual elements of the games, and that doing so constitutes copyright infringement," according to VGC.
It's important to note that the team isn't actually using GTA 3 or Vice City source code — they instead recreated it using newer coding languages. This project doesn't contain any Rockstar assets, either, so players that wish to use this reverse-engineered source code will actually need to have their own copy of GTA 3 or Vice City to create a port of the games using this code.
However, as Take-Two's lawsuit notes, the company is suing the creators behind the project for distributing "derivative GTA source code."
Take-Two claims that the project, more formally known as Re3 or ReVC on GitHub, is causing "irreparable harm to Take-Two," both in terms of copyright infringement and in terms of the fact that now technically anybody can create their own version of GTA 3 or Vice City using the reverse-engineered code.
VGC notes that in the lawsuit, Take-Two says it tried to remove the project from GitHub where it was being distributed. According to Take-Two, three of the project's programmers "knowingly filed bad faith counter-notifications that materially misrepresented the legality of their content, apparently claiming that because they allegedly 'reverse-engineered' the games' source code, they somehow cannot be liable for copyright infringement."
It seems that this will be the central argument of the case: does reverse-engineering a source code count as copyright infringement? Only time will tell for now.
Read about how the team behind the reverse-engineered source code had their project taken down back in February and then read about how Rockstar might be working on a Grand Theft Auto remastered trilogy after that.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Netflix Reveals Episode 1 Title of Live-Action One Piece Series
Netflix has revealed the title for the first episode of its live-action One Piece series, and longtime fans of the anime and manga will likely recognize it.
That's because the episode title, Romance Dawn, seems to be hinting at the origin of One Piece.
Published as a one-shot written by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda in the Shonen Jump 1996 Summer Special, Romance Dawn is about a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, who, to make things short and spoiler-free, does some very pirate-y things. Romance Dawn is also the first arc in the anime, told over the first few episodes.
IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!! #OnePiece pic.twitter.com/Xmp9eHAK9G
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) September 3, 2021
While the Romance Dawn one-shot wasn't called One Piece at the time of its original publishing, it was essentially adopted as the origin of One Piece. In fact, it was eventually reprinted in One Piece Red: Grand Characters.
Now, it's unclear if the first episode of Netflix's One Piece series will be a retelling of the Romance Dawn arc or if the episode title is simply an homage to the series' start.
Netflix announced the series back in 2020 as a partnership with Tomorrow Studios and Shueisha "to bring [One Piece's] pirate adventure story from Japan to audiences around the world." Netflix released this note from Oda, the author of the manga series, at the time of the announcement:
The story of One Piece centers around the Straw Hat Pirates and their captain, Monkey D. Luffy who, after eating the cursed Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, is turned into what is essentially a rubber man. This gives Luffy the power to stretch his body to great lengths. Luffy and his crew are after the legendary One Piece treasure, as whomever discovers it becomes the King of Pirates.
There's no official casting or release date at this moment, but Steven Maeda (Lost, The X-Files) will serve as showrunner with Oda set to executive produce the series alongside Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios (Cowboy Bebop, Snowpiercer, Hanna). The picture of the first episode's script reveals that the teleplay was written by Matt Owens and Maeda.
For more about Netflix's live-action ventures, check out the first images from its upcoming Cowboy Bebop series and then check out the cast and creative team for its Avatar: The Last Airbender series.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Netflix Reveals Episode 1 Title of Live-Action One Piece Series
Netflix has revealed the title for the first episode of its live-action One Piece series, and longtime fans of the anime and manga will likely recognize it.
That's because the episode title, Romance Dawn, seems to be hinting at the origin of One Piece.
Published as a one-shot written by One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda in the Shonen Jump 1996 Summer Special, Romance Dawn is about a young pirate named Monkey D. Luffy, who, to make things short and spoiler-free, does some very pirate-y things. Romance Dawn is also the first arc in the anime, told over the first few episodes.
IT'S HAPPENING!!!!!! #OnePiece pic.twitter.com/Xmp9eHAK9G
— Netflix Geeked (@NetflixGeeked) September 3, 2021
While the Romance Dawn one-shot wasn't called One Piece at the time of its original publishing, it was essentially adopted as the origin of One Piece. In fact, it was eventually reprinted in One Piece Red: Grand Characters.
Now, it's unclear if the first episode of Netflix's One Piece series will be a retelling of the Romance Dawn arc or if the episode title is simply an homage to the series' start.
Netflix announced the series back in 2020 as a partnership with Tomorrow Studios and Shueisha "to bring [One Piece's] pirate adventure story from Japan to audiences around the world." Netflix released this note from Oda, the author of the manga series, at the time of the announcement:
The story of One Piece centers around the Straw Hat Pirates and their captain, Monkey D. Luffy who, after eating the cursed Gum-Gum Devil Fruit, is turned into what is essentially a rubber man. This gives Luffy the power to stretch his body to great lengths. Luffy and his crew are after the legendary One Piece treasure, as whomever discovers it becomes the King of Pirates.
There's no official casting or release date at this moment, but Steven Maeda (Lost, The X-Files) will serve as showrunner with Oda set to executive produce the series alongside Marty Adelstein and Becky Clements of Tomorrow Studios (Cowboy Bebop, Snowpiercer, Hanna). The picture of the first episode's script reveals that the teleplay was written by Matt Owens and Maeda.
For more about Netflix's live-action ventures, check out the first images from its upcoming Cowboy Bebop series and then check out the cast and creative team for its Avatar: The Last Airbender series.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
IGN UK Podcast #608: A Far Cry From The Forgotten City
This week the IGN UK podcast heads to Yara, the setting of Far Cry 6. Matt's spent a few hours in its jungles, and so tells Dale and Jesse exactly what he thinks of it so far. There's also chat about House of Ashes, the next game in the Dark Pictures Anthology, as well as more thoughts on time loopers Twelve Minutes and The Forgotten City. All that doesn't mean that we don't have time for an Endless Search and listener feedback, so listen all the way through for the full package.
Want to submit your own Endless Search, food opinion, or a bit of other nonsense? Feel free to get in touch with the podcast at: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
IGN UK Podcast #608: A Far Cry From The Forgotten City
IGN UK Podcast #608: A Far Cry From The Forgotten City
This week the IGN UK podcast heads to Yara, the setting of Far Cry 6. Matt's spent a few hours in its jungles, and so tells Dale and Jesse exactly what he thinks of it so far. There's also chat about House of Ashes, the next game in the Dark Pictures Anthology, as well as more thoughts on time loopers Twelve Minutes and The Forgotten City. All that doesn't mean that we don't have time for an Endless Search and listener feedback, so listen all the way through for the full package.
Want to submit your own Endless Search, food opinion, or a bit of other nonsense? Feel free to get in touch with the podcast at: ign_ukfeedback@ign.com.
IGN UK Podcast #608: A Far Cry From The Forgotten City
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 7 Ends The Alien Invasion With One Final Mission
Fortnite is ending its Chapter 2 Season 7 Invasion event with a grand finale called Operation: Sky Fire. This is a live, one-time event with no replays so you’ll want to start tuning in on September 12 at 1 pm PT/4 pm ET if you want to take part.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 7 Invasion began with an alien invasion. Players were tasked by Doctor Slone to fight back the alien menage along with Imagined Order. Now you’ll infiltrate The Last Reality in one final mission.
The Operation: Sky Fire event playlist will be available 30 minutes before the event start so you’ll need to queue in for a spot on the 16-person team. Epic Games is insistent that this event will not happen again and recommends players, particularly content creators, to record their game.
Epic is also recommending you finish up your quests before Chapter 2 Season 7 ends and has provided a to-do list for players before Operation: Sky Fire
Starting on September 9, players should gather and spend Bars at the Bargain Bin Wild Week. A new Legendary Quest will let you earn extra XP for your Battle Pass for doing so.
Complete any remaining Epic Quests and Superman Quests and exchange Battle Stars before the event.
Unclaimed Battle Stars or Alien Artifacts will be automatically redeemed for rewards and styles starting with the earliest available unlocks.
The Superman Quest must be completed before September 12 at 1 pm PT/4 pm ET to earn the special Glider, Pickaxe, and Shadow style before the next season.
Fortnite’s space theme continued past seasons with big cameos and guest characters. Superman and Rick were both part of the Invasion season along with a host of alien-themed cosmetics.
With the finale approaching, all eyes will be on what Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 8 will have in store, which will likely be teased or revealed following Operation: Sky Fire.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 7 Ends The Alien Invasion With One Final Mission
Fortnite is ending its Chapter 2 Season 7 Invasion event with a grand finale called Operation: Sky Fire. This is a live, one-time event with no replays so you’ll want to start tuning in on September 12 at 1 pm PT/4 pm ET if you want to take part.
Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 7 Invasion began with an alien invasion. Players were tasked by Doctor Slone to fight back the alien menage along with Imagined Order. Now you’ll infiltrate The Last Reality in one final mission.
The Operation: Sky Fire event playlist will be available 30 minutes before the event start so you’ll need to queue in for a spot on the 16-person team. Epic Games is insistent that this event will not happen again and recommends players, particularly content creators, to record their game.
Epic is also recommending you finish up your quests before Chapter 2 Season 7 ends and has provided a to-do list for players before Operation: Sky Fire
Starting on September 9, players should gather and spend Bars at the Bargain Bin Wild Week. A new Legendary Quest will let you earn extra XP for your Battle Pass for doing so.
Complete any remaining Epic Quests and Superman Quests and exchange Battle Stars before the event.
Unclaimed Battle Stars or Alien Artifacts will be automatically redeemed for rewards and styles starting with the earliest available unlocks.
The Superman Quest must be completed before September 12 at 1 pm PT/4 pm ET to earn the special Glider, Pickaxe, and Shadow style before the next season.
Fortnite’s space theme continued past seasons with big cameos and guest characters. Superman and Rick were both part of the Invasion season along with a host of alien-themed cosmetics.
With the finale approaching, all eyes will be on what Fortnite Chapter 2 Season 8 will have in store, which will likely be teased or revealed following Operation: Sky Fire.
Matt T.M. Kim is IGN's News Editor. You can reach him @lawoftd.
Report: Game Boy, Game Boy Color Games Are Coming to Nintendo Switch Online
A new report claims that Nintendo is going to add Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to its Nintendo Switch Online service.
This news comes by way of Eurogamer, which corroborates a report from Nintendo Life that games from these two Nintendo handhelds might finally come to the company's online Netflix-like service.
Nintendo Life reported earlier this week that Nate the Hate podcast host, NateDrake, had revealed that Nintendo might be adding Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to its online catalogue. The publication confirmed this with its own sources, adding that these games could be coming "really soon."
Now, Eurogamer writes that its own independent sources say the same. The publication also revealed that its sources say games from other retro platforms are on the table as well.
As noted by Eurogamer, a 2019 datamine by OatmealDome of the NES Switch app revealed that SNES titles would be coming to the service before Nintendo made the official announcement. Nine months after that datamine, SNES games were added to the service.
OatmealDome noted that they had discovered two additional emulator types — Hiyoko and Count. Nintendo Life's report, which has now been corroborated by Eurogamer, mentions that Hiyoko could be the emulator name for Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.
Eurogamer's report indicates that additional retro consoles could be added to Nintendo Switch Online, and perhaps the Count emulator discovered in OatmealDome's datamine is the emulator that these additional consoles (or maybe just one console) will use.
While waiting to see if these games come to Nintendo Switch Online, check out one of the latest game drops for the service in this Super NES: July 2021 game updates trailer. Watch IGN's unboxing of the Nintendo Switch Online SNES controller after that.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.
Report: Game Boy, Game Boy Color Games Are Coming to Nintendo Switch Online
A new report claims that Nintendo is going to add Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to its Nintendo Switch Online service.
This news comes by way of Eurogamer, which corroborates a report from Nintendo Life that games from these two Nintendo handhelds might finally come to the company's online Netflix-like service.
Nintendo Life reported earlier this week that Nate the Hate podcast host, NateDrake, had revealed that Nintendo might be adding Game Boy and Game Boy Color games to its online catalogue. The publication confirmed this with its own sources, adding that these games could be coming "really soon."
Now, Eurogamer writes that its own independent sources say the same. The publication also revealed that its sources say games from other retro platforms are on the table as well.
As noted by Eurogamer, a 2019 datamine by OatmealDome of the NES Switch app revealed that SNES titles would be coming to the service before Nintendo made the official announcement. Nine months after that datamine, SNES games were added to the service.
OatmealDome noted that they had discovered two additional emulator types — Hiyoko and Count. Nintendo Life's report, which has now been corroborated by Eurogamer, mentions that Hiyoko could be the emulator name for Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.
Eurogamer's report indicates that additional retro consoles could be added to Nintendo Switch Online, and perhaps the Count emulator discovered in OatmealDome's datamine is the emulator that these additional consoles (or maybe just one console) will use.
While waiting to see if these games come to Nintendo Switch Online, check out one of the latest game drops for the service in this Super NES: July 2021 game updates trailer. Watch IGN's unboxing of the Nintendo Switch Online SNES controller after that.
Wesley LeBlanc is a freelance news writer and guide maker for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter @LeBlancWes.