Oddworld Licensing Rights

[Volsung]

In the past, OI has floated the possibility of licensing out their "world" to other developers. So far, all this has come to are the gameboy advance versions of games OI had already created. Basically downgraded versions of the same thing.

It is possible, however, that OI might have a developer interested in using Oddworld as the basis for a different type of game. In short, a developer might want to create an Oddworld Fighting game, or an RPG, or a Dynasty Warriors style Prequel.

Since OI's vision of the games they create is so focused and unique, these types of games would never be created by them, but my question is, would they let others do it? And should they?

Pros: Larger Fanbase, Oddworld-themed versions of game types already known to sell well. More Money without more time. More Oddworld games Period.

Cons: Degradation of the original Fanbase. The above scenario seems almost like selling out; could the current fans stay with a series that had ceased to have that unique feel? Or would this become a "star-wars" type farce? Too many Oddworld games?

Presumably they could reign in the cons by acting as consultants and having veto power for ideas they found distasteful, or not "odd" but that again might hurt the ability to license. This isn't even mentioning the possible problems associated with the eventual creation of OI's Movies.

I'm not sure how I would feel. Sure, it could be handled well and be great, but most games are violent (a mudokon Hitman?) and the likelihood of OI conceding to this are unknown. I would probably like to play these games, but I wouldn't want to see Abe or Munch throw fireballs and say "I'm gonna love takin' you down!"

But discuss. I'm interested to hear what the Forum thinks.

[Adder]

I wouldn't mind seeing other styles of Oddworld game. Besides, the AE manual hinted at other styles with the "Fearie Tales" (not sure of spelling) and... the other one I can't remember.

I would support this simply because I want more Oddworld games on a format I have (which is PC or PS1. The others are still over my budget limit >.<)

[Xavier]

I don't think that oddworld games made by someone else then OWI themselves would be a good idea...
OWI have their vision of oddworld, and it's almost impossible for an other company to get 100% the same vision of oddworld

plus all the continuity problems there would be

[sligster]

I don't think OI should sell themselves out like that... it just wouldn't feel right playing an OW game, but it's not directly OI material.

But on the different genre style, though, won't Hand of Odd be an RTS? (if it's still planned)

[Mac the Janitor]

Nonono, not a shooter at all. More of an RPG-ish daily life cycle type thing...many parallels to the Animal Farm games.

[Xavier]

like Mac said, it will be a life simulation...
and it's not in the works right now, but probably still planned

[Adder]

I don't think that oddworld games made by someone else then OWI themselves would be a good idea...

OWI have their vision of oddworld, and it's almost impossible for an other company to get 100% the same vision of oddworld

plus all the continuity problems there would be

The new (outsider) games wouldn't have to be OW Quintology based, Xav. They might just use some characters or locations. Imagin a beat-em-up with Abe. It'd have nothing to do with the Mudokkon freedom plot, but it'll still be Oddworld.

As long as any outsiders don't try to develop the Quintology, I can't see any problems exept maybe some minor plot holes. But hey, even StarTrek has these errors with the Clingon's (no clue of spelling) in the latest series "Enterprise". Suddenly, in the past they have cranial ridges!

[Xavier]

I'm not saying there will be some problems with the quintology
but everything that's going on on Oddworld is in some kind of related, and it will be nearly impossible to keep the continuity perfect (and that's what makes oddworld, a world, the continuity!!)

[Wil]

No, I don't see it happening. Oddworld hasn't exactly had good experience with leasing their characters out. Even Game Over was a flop, though I understand that's a bit different.

Plus, where would the mysticism and complex characterisation be in a racing or fighting game? Munch's Oddysee was going to have featured drivable vehicles, yes, but I can't imagine a whole Oddworld game using that kind of gameplay.

[Xavier]

oddworld cart... ride and fight with other inhabitants
oddworld FPS... you are a big bro, shoot muds... is there a need for a plot?
Splinter oddworld... infiltrate factories with the splintercell stile
Silent Oddworld... horror, blood, and gore!

the 2 first, simply no...
the others, why not

[Sekto Springs]

Those are good ideas Xav, but I don't think a single Oddworld game will ever lack a plot.

[Oddish]

A FPS would fit with oddworld, for example, Stranger. He the type of guy, that would shoot things, and a good plot. But agree with raceing & fighting, not a good for the world of odd.

[Xavier]

I'm simply not for something that would ruin Oddworld, but I'm not against Oddworld trying other genres, simply not something that ruins the concordence

[Oddish]

Yes i know what you mean. Oddworld is the most "controled" to them selfs to me, as in they care of very little thing in oddworld , not like some other stuff. Oddworld will keep going to be.. uhh how do i say this... on the level, or in control, and still is.

[Nate]

If you read some of Lorne's old interviews he mentions the licensing thing fairly often but he hasn't done it in ages so it would appear that it is off the cards for the moment. Still, I got the impression that if another company had wanted to set a game on Oddworld, OWI would have played a big supervisory part to make sure that they didn't conflict with the mythology.


EDIT: 400 posts!

[Volsung]

Exactly. Like I said earlier, these games could be interesting, and fun, but unless OI's supervisor role were unnaturally large, the games would probably dissapoint.

On the other hand, I do think Oddworld is set up for all kinds of games and situations. The pre-industrial mudokon wars alone allow for a huge variety of games. And I've never heard of OI planning to do games in a different style or genre than the rather unique niche they currently occupy. So I think that if these games are to be made, they would be "outsider" games.

Again, my major concern if OI DID do this would simply be the trivialization of Oddworld. If fighting games and warring games and stealth games are created, where's the Low, no-violence Credo? And the overall cheapening of the mysticism, as was stated earlier. I feel that this is one of the major downfalls of the Star-Wars games. Everything is out in the open. So now they have to keep creating new mysteries, and with these new mysteries come larger plotholes.

I do think it could be done, but OI would have to choose the right developer for the right kind of game.

[Fuzzles!]

but I'm not against Oddworld trying other genres, simply not something that ruins the concordence

My feelings exactly. I would not be against seeing an Oddworld RPG or Simulation. But the thought of it being designed and developed by another developer just gives me shivers. I don't know. OI is just so unique in itself. I don't see another developer ever living up to what they've produced, the worlds they've created.

[DeBulletDodger]

What can i add that hasnt been mentioned above.. nothing.
Well when was the last time Lorne actually mentioned anything about Licensing Rights i mean how long are you talking about just out of interest.

[paramiteabe]

Why would there be any need for Lorne to even consider that? The one thing Lorne Lanning is known for these days is that he is createing his very own styal of entertainment media. He is opening doors where others dare not go. If you ask me doing all the types of games you mentioned would mean he is sort of stepping back from his vision. They are great elements for Oddworld games but are they Oddworld? Consider this, each game OWI produces introduces us to whole new medium or styal of entertainment. If OWI were to lease to another company would that conflict with Lorne Lanning's vision? Lorne uses elements from other games out there like RPG'S etc etc and sort of warps it into his own styal and medium which creates his vision. He doesn't copy those other styals, he uses those styals to create his twisted vision as his own. In other words he is constantly re-inventing the wheel. To me simply haveing an Oddworld game become what you described just does not sound truely odd.

Paramiteabe...

[Volsung]

PA, I totally agree with the sentiment, and if there's no way to lease out the world without compromising its integrity (which does seem, at the least, difficult) then I don't want it done. But Lorne did start the games as a way to earn capital for movies. In interviews he has repeatedly stated the desire for licensable goods. Is this just for the movies and related merchandising? It could be simply to hold onto the intellectual rights as long as possible.

On another note, is anyone able to reconcile the anti-capitalist messages of the games with the "conscientous capitalist" mindset of OI? I know that there were a lot of people concerned about SoBe vending machines and that they somehow "Compromised" Oddworld. Were people upset because it was an earth product? because it was product placement? Or simply because one environmentally conscious corporation promoted another environmentally concsious corporation in an unconventional way? But perhaps this is a discussion for another time.

[Wil]

I certainly would consider it worthy of its own thread. Might be good, now that all the hubbub over it has died down, people can speak more rationally about it now. Personally, I ended up not minding it, as it didn't crop up in the European version. However, I don't dislike it because it's a product placement. One strong theme of Munch's Oddysee is product placement, after all - vendo power ups and consumer goods weaponry are the biggest examples of this, and remain, in my opinion, brilliant concepts that didn't seem to hit the mark for reasons I'm not entirely sure of. But nonetheless, it being product placement actually seems in harmony with the ethos of the experience.

I know a lot of people did hate it for that reason, though, which seems overblown. OWI have given nothing but good responces to the cries of protest against their decision. What blows it as an idea for me is, as you say, it's an Earth product. And this is Oddworld. Which is meant to take place in a reality where Earth does not exist. The concept of humans arriving on Oddworld with whopping great cargo ships does not coat my soul with the paint of pleasure.

[Nate]

Except that Oddworld has never pretended to be anti-capitalist or anti-corporation. As lorne has said many times he is against companies that rape and pillage natural resources and cultures. He is pro ethics in business, not against businesses in general.

[Volsung]

Well-played Nate. I was talking about the game's overall message versus the company's actual practices, but you're right: both can be attributed to a "pro-ethics" attitude. The only defense of my original statement would be both long-winded and, ultimately, erroneous, as you've reconciled what I had missed quite nicely.

Taking what Max said and running with it, I would have to say that it does to some degree spoil the feel of the game, though briefly. Putting an earth product on Oddworld hurts the analogy and perverts Oddworld from a mass of humanities' vices and virtues into a story about aliens, unconnected with our own troubles. But I still didn't really mind.

And that concept of "distilled Humanity Vs. Unknowable Aliens" also hurts some of the licensing possibilities. If Oddworld were leased out it becomes probable that some company or other would include human characters, most notably fighters. It becomes apparent that in order for Oddworld games to work outside of OI, an impossibly large amount of consultation would have to take place. So I suppose I'll never get to play a part in the pre-industrial inter-mudokon wars. Le Sigh.

Which brings us to my last question, which might possibly fit better in the "Ask a question" section. When OI finally gets to the movies, will they still be creating games? Or is Lanning intending on splitting the companies? If the former, I imagine it will be a rather awkward mess to contain, especially with the standards of business they currently maintain. And in the latter, would it be feasible for Lanning to spend his time split between two such demanding jobs without fear of dropping quality?

[paramiteabe]

I believe by the time Lanning gets to doing films based upon his vision then there will be no need for games. If you think about it Oddworld is about the stories of the inhabitants and Lorne Lanning wants to produce those stories in what ever media suits the story best. The thing with OWI these stories we see now are better suited for the gameing media as oppose to major motion pictures. It all depends on the nature of the story. Lanning's vision is so complex that its going to take more than games to tell the full tale of Oddworld with.

And plus OWI doesn't need to split if they do films and games because makeing video games are not that far from makeing a motion picture. The difference is your putting all the elements into a game ingion. The rest is pretty much makeing a movie. And that is what OWI does before they turn it into a game. Movies on the otherhand don't involve putting elements or animations into an ingion of some type. Its pretty much everything done in principle photagraghy and setting up frames and adding the special effects.


Paramiteabe...