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Mythic Sues Microsoft Over Mythica MMORPG

Posted by simoniker on from the absolutely-lindowsiculous dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Mythic Entertainment, developers of PC MMO videogame Dark Age of Camelot, has filed suit against Microsoft, arguing that Microsoft's upcoming MMORPG Mythica is too similar in name and content (it 'also employs Norse images and mythology') to its own name and flagship title. Maybe if game developers could dream up a genre other than fantasy, problems like this would be averted..."

5 of 362 comments (clear)

  1. SIMS Online by blunte · · Score: 3, Interesting

    It's called SIMS Online

    --
    .sigs are for post^Hers.
  2. Re:Lindows reference by One+Louder · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Mythic has a much better case than Microsoft has against Lindows.com.

    "Window" is a generic term used in the field of computer science to describe an artifact commonly found in graphical user interfaces.

    In this case, however, the term "mythic" is fanciful (though Microsoft may argue it's descriptive) in regards to a game, and Microsoft's usage includes the *entire* trademark.

  3. Re:tribal confusion by Haeleth · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The mythology of Arthur puts the time period way before 1200 AD. The pre-romantic story, derived from Celtic mythology, via Geoffrey of Monmouth, Wace, and Layamon, and appearing in the second book of Malory (in the form of a rip-off of a C14th epic poem, the so-called Alliterative Morte Arthur), tells of the Roman emperor Lucius, who demanded tribute from the Britons; Arthur refused to pay, and invaded Rome instead. But at the moment of his victory he was suddenly called home, his throne having been usurped, and he was killed in the civil war that ensued.

    Most of the stuff about damsels in distress was added later by the French, who admittedly applied a liberal coating of 1200-ness to the story, but only because that's when they wrote their versions; that's just like today's modern-dress productions of Shakespeare.

  4. Re:What new genre would that be? by Felonius+Thunk · · Score: 3, Interesting
    It shouldn't really be that hard to do more than fantasy, but you do make a good point about keeping it person to person. I can imagine at least a few genres possible, though, that would/could still revolve around 'man-to-man' fighting and similar interactions:
    • post-apocalyptic/dark future sci-fi (Road Warrior or Gammaworld)
    • superheroes (isn't there something like this coming?)
    • adventure a la Indiana Jones/Alan Quartermain
    • swashbuckling/pirate style adventures
    I'm not sure how many people would want to immerse themselves in these settings compared to fantasy, but the potential is there to restrict interactions to a pretty interpersonal level.
  5. Re:It's about time Microsoft gets a little of it's by Richard_at_work · · Score: 3, Interesting

    No, rather it would be like Ford Motor Company releasing a car range called the SteeringWheel (tm). Perfectly fine, another company could not release a car range called the same, but it could still use steering wheel technology within it.