I'm 99% certain it was the actual "nemesis" mechanic. I don't think it's code-level but probably includes a specific design/implementation of the mechanic.
Then again, there's the big question of whether it'd actually hold up in court if challenged.
With a company as big as Warner there's also the question of how much it would cost to challenge it in court. I'd think any company that could afford to challenge it, would also see it as a waste of time and money.
That's part of the issue. These atrocities of the legal system stand because the people who are most affected don't have the resources to take on Gods.
Ah, scanning through the fucking impenetrable patent I will revise my statement to "... because you can't patent a game mechanic unless you are a megacorp with an army of soulless lawyers".
The whole story of video game patents is pretty messed up from the get go.
Used to be that "You cannot patent an idea" was a core facet of the US patent code. So when Atari tried to patent breakout, they had their claim thrown out like three times.
Eventually they succeeded on two basis: one their code of the ball bouncing was NOT based on physics, therefore it was some unique "artistic" idea to have the ball bounce at exact angles without losing momentum. Not just, you know, a thousand times easier to code than real physics, it was "art."
Secondly, they claimed all the levels in the game, taken together, was itself a "work of art" and could be patented on that ground.
At that point in time, they still could not use the patent to stop breakout clones, or even games that straight up copied part of the game. They could only use the patent to prevent illegal distribution of the game Breakout.
From then on companies mostly focused on patenting their art. (Enter the highly litigious Nintendon't into the picture.)
Over the years the entire tech industry has pushed, and pushed and pushed the patent courts until "rounded corners on a cellphone" and "minigames on a loading screen" and "two grip buttons on the back side of a controller" are all patent trolled and enforceable, even as they clearly violate the concept of patenting an idea.
Also, the game mechanic of catching imposters has been around for awhile. Gary's mod had a game, though I forget the name, that's been around forever. Deceit is another one that's been in my library for years. Quite a long list of "catch your friends lying" variety.
Beats me. I've never even attempted to try it. Since it's simple enough for AOC's brain, I'm going to guess somewhere in the range of 30 seconds before it becomes extremely boring.
I love the implication of "We totally could've patented it but we didn't."
Game companies actually did try to pull the same stuff in the 80's and were less than successful - confirming the precedent that ideas aren't copyrightable.
More recently big publishers starting using software patents to monopolize ideas around microtransactions and "surprise mechanics". I have no idea how well that protection has been tested in court, but doubtful that normal gameplay would hold up as novel enough to be patented. (even ignoring the other comment that they didn't invent it first)
Not to put too fine a point on it, you can't copyright certain game mechanics. The whole "werewolf"/"mafia" rule set has been around since the 1980s. Best they could have done was copyright mechanics like the mini-games or venting to get yourself across the map unseen. So yeah, as much as I hate Epic and Fortnite, my general opinion is "cry more about it".
That's hilarious! The game looks just like AU but with fowls. Free, different classes (like true Mafia), and apparently there is build in proximity chat. I know some folks who played and enjoyed Town of Salem but never played AU I'm gonna see if they'll want to give this a try with me.
Yes, actually engaging in the free market and not leveraging our socialist governmental protections is actually stupid. You're just remaining pure while everyone else loots society and uses the government to enforce their monopolies. It's like burning the stimulus checks on principle instead of taking them to try and keep ahead of this insane inflation.
Never played amogus because it was a retarded game version of "The Thing from Outer Space", which in turn is a retarded movie version of "Who Goes there?".
You didn't patent the Among Us mechanic because you can't patent a game mechanic, you fucking numpty!
Warner Brothers would disagree. See: Shadows of Mordor.
I thought that was over actual code.
I'm 99% certain it was the actual "nemesis" mechanic. I don't think it's code-level but probably includes a specific design/implementation of the mechanic.
Then again, there's the big question of whether it'd actually hold up in court if challenged.
With a company as big as Warner there's also the question of how much it would cost to challenge it in court. I'd think any company that could afford to challenge it, would also see it as a waste of time and money.
That's part of the issue. These atrocities of the legal system stand because the people who are most affected don't have the resources to take on Gods.
you can its why mini games on loading screens weren't a thing - someone (was it capcom?) had the patent for it
more recently warner brothers patented the nemesis mechanic from shadow of mordor
Ah, scanning through the fucking impenetrable patent I will revise my statement to "... because you can't patent a game mechanic unless you are a megacorp with an army of soulless lawyers".
The whole story of video game patents is pretty messed up from the get go.
Used to be that "You cannot patent an idea" was a core facet of the US patent code. So when Atari tried to patent breakout, they had their claim thrown out like three times.
Eventually they succeeded on two basis: one their code of the ball bouncing was NOT based on physics, therefore it was some unique "artistic" idea to have the ball bounce at exact angles without losing momentum. Not just, you know, a thousand times easier to code than real physics, it was "art."
Secondly, they claimed all the levels in the game, taken together, was itself a "work of art" and could be patented on that ground.
At that point in time, they still could not use the patent to stop breakout clones, or even games that straight up copied part of the game. They could only use the patent to prevent illegal distribution of the game Breakout.
From then on companies mostly focused on patenting their art. (Enter the highly litigious Nintendon't into the picture.)
Over the years the entire tech industry has pushed, and pushed and pushed the patent courts until "rounded corners on a cellphone" and "minigames on a loading screen" and "two grip buttons on the back side of a controller" are all patent trolled and enforceable, even as they clearly violate the concept of patenting an idea.
I think you just hit on the truth
Also, the game mechanic of catching imposters has been around for awhile. Gary's mod had a game, though I forget the name, that's been around forever. Deceit is another one that's been in my library for years. Quite a long list of "catch your friends lying" variety.
I wonder if AOC was in the long run bad marketing for them. I avoided even checking it out, because I figured if AOC liked it, then it must be shit.
How long can you play Among Us before it becomes extremely boring?
It's a social game. The gameplay is just a conduit for social interaction. The fun isn't in the gameplay, it's about goofing off with friends.
Beats me. I've never even attempted to try it. Since it's simple enough for AOC's brain, I'm going to guess somewhere in the range of 30 seconds before it becomes extremely boring.
I'd say 2-3 rounds of couple minutes max
>Epic
>better
[X] Doubt
Anyways, Among Us is literally Space Station 13 + Werewolf, if he thinks he could have patented it he's a retard.
I love the implication of "We totally could've patented it but we didn't."
Game companies actually did try to pull the same stuff in the 80's and were less than successful - confirming the precedent that ideas aren't copyrightable.
More recently big publishers starting using software patents to monopolize ideas around microtransactions and "surprise mechanics". I have no idea how well that protection has been tested in court, but doubtful that normal gameplay would hold up as novel enough to be patented. (even ignoring the other comment that they didn't invent it first)
Rounded corners on cellphones. Minigames on loading screens. "Nemesis" system. Grip buttons on a controller.
At least three of those have successfully won massive payouts in court.
When the Chinaman is sus! 😳
Got a post that isn't fucking twitter cancer?
Not to put too fine a point on it, you can't copyright certain game mechanics. The whole "werewolf"/"mafia" rule set has been around since the 1980s. Best they could have done was copyright mechanics like the mini-games or venting to get yourself across the map unseen. So yeah, as much as I hate Epic and Fortnite, my general opinion is "cry more about it".
Lol cry more.
Better version is Goose, Goose, Duck. Free to play but has more meat on its bones (different classes, kill animations, unlockable stuff.)
That's hilarious! The game looks just like AU but with fowls. Free, different classes (like true Mafia), and apparently there is build in proximity chat. I know some folks who played and enjoyed Town of Salem but never played AU I'm gonna see if they'll want to give this a try with me.
I'm sorry. What game are we talking about?
Yes, actually engaging in the free market and not leveraging our socialist governmental protections is actually stupid. You're just remaining pure while everyone else loots society and uses the government to enforce their monopolies. It's like burning the stimulus checks on principle instead of taking them to try and keep ahead of this insane inflation.
Never played amogus because it was a retarded game version of "The Thing from Outer Space", which in turn is a retarded movie version of "Who Goes there?".