Link to kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/gtgames/lazer-ryderz-the-totally-rad-tabletop-racing-game
I haven't backed the game, haven't seen any questions about maneuver sizing compared to X-Wing, but it's a fun idea if you happen to have 3-4 core sets worth of maneuvers to use. I'm just curious if anyone knows if their maneuvers are compatible with X-Wing.
Since they haven't got a license for flight path probably not. Looks a bit rip-off-y, but only with the manouvers. The game seems to be very different. I am not sure if game mechanics like template based movement should be reason for copyright strikes.
Gotta say, that Kung-Fury esque promo material is beautifull
Funny how specific laws are, but...if those templates DO match the X-Wing ones for size, then yeah, possible copyright or patent infringement and they can be shut down.
If they are off by even 1/4" each? Then may well be home free. At least: RE: the templates, themselves.
The mechanics will be somewhat similar - if FFG managed to patent slotting a template into a figure's square base for movement (no idea if they have) as a process for moving a miniature...then, yeah, these guys have problems copying that. If FFG *didn't* patent that...or they move their miniatures in a different way (say, sliding along the side instead of slotting into brackets fore and aft)...again, home free.
Skirting someone else's game system like this is a delicate affair, and I don't really know why they'd bother to tempt fate in that manner. But they might be well in the clear, on their own.
(Just don't assume anything they do would be remotely compatible with X-Wing)
Game mechanics are not copyright-able. That's why way back in the day you had RPG supplements that used Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Connstitution, and Charisma stats with fantasy classes and levels and monsters with hit dice that were "suitable for any fantasy role-playing game" even when D&D was the only RPG.
I have always been wondering what exactly Wizkids is licensing.
The mechanics will be somewhat similar - if FFG managed to patent slotting a template into a figure's square base for movement (no idea if they have) as a process for moving a miniature...then, yeah, these guys have problems copying that. If FFG *didn't* patent that...or they move their miniatures in a different way (say, sliding along the side instead of slotting into brackets fore and aft)...again, home free.
Skirting someone else's game system like this is a delicate affair, and I don't really know why they'd bother to tempt fate in that manner. But they might be well in the clear, on their own.
(Just don't assume anything they do would be remotely compatible with X-Wing)
The mechanics aren't at all similar. You lay down the templates to create a path to race toward certain objectives. If you cross another players path you crash and both are reset. Looks like a lot of fun with boxing in the other players, strategic crashing to recover templates, stealing objectives from each other. There is no direct combat, there is no hidden manouver mechanic. In my opinion it would be sad if these guys would get shut down because they used similar templates. Might happen because of legal reasons, though. I hope they did differentiate the measurements.
I really like the gear mechanics which limited the maneuver options based on your speed.
The mechanics will be somewhat similar - if FFG managed to patent slotting a template into a figure's square base for movement (no idea if they have) as a process for moving a miniature...then, yeah, these guys have problems copying that. If FFG *didn't* patent that...or they move their miniatures in a different way (say, sliding along the side instead of slotting into brackets fore and aft)...again, home free.
If FFG did patent that then they would need to legally defend this in texas, because everywhere else people would scream at them "trivial patent, not worthy of patent protection" and rightfully so.
Besides, has Attack Wing a licence from FFG? ^-^
Edited by SEApocalypseTheir templates will use chevrons, not flat ends, to they'll not be compatible with X-Wing.
looks like retro hipster will love it
Besides, has Attack Wing a licence from FFG? ^-^
Yes, they do actually.
Their templates will use chevrons, not flat ends, to they'll not be compatible with X-Wing.
Actually, that's just about all they'd need to do to settle THAT for good, so...good on them.
Besides, has Attack Wing a licence from FFG? ^-^
Yes, they do actually.
Sure, but only because of exactly this topic.
Everyone knows WizKids does Heroclix minis, right? Apparently, they did do a patent on a 'rotating wheel to select different unit characteristics' as a game mechanic, and (word on the street is) threatened to sue FFG over the maneuver wheel in X-Wing being an infringement on that. (Who knows who would have won if it *did* come to court - but at the time, FFG was much, MUCH smaller than they are, now, and 'who can buy the better lawyers' tends to decide who wins) Rather than fight it out, the two companies came to terms by FFG basically giving WizKids the "Flight Path" license for free in exchange for WizKids dropping their threat to FFG.
X-wing templates and Tron motorcycles racing? Disney's lawyers are already foaming at the mouth.
Everyone knows WizKids does Heroclix minis, right? Apparently, they did do a patent on a 'rotating wheel to select different unit characteristics' as a game mechanic, and (word on the street is) threatened to sue FFG over the maneuver wheel in X-Wing being an infringement on that. (Who knows who would have won if it *did* come to court - but at the time, FFG was much, MUCH smaller than they are, now, and 'who can buy the better lawyers' tends to decide who wins) Rather than fight it out, the two companies came to terms by FFG basically giving WizKids the "Flight Path" license for free in exchange for WizKids dropping their threat to FFG.
Do you have any references for that? I'm interested in the topic and would like to read up about it.
looks like retro hipster will love it
Heh, I do like how it looks like a box set of VHS tapes
So it's boardgame slither.io ? I'm down.
They look more like Tron than X-Wing
Based on the straight 1+4 templates next to the 5 template - they do not appear to have the same ratio/lengths to each other as X-wing.
**** you spacelion. I really didn't need to just spend $35 on a game that isn't going to be out for a year.
**** you spacelion. I really didn't need to just spend $35 on a game that isn't going to be out for a year.
Yes. Yes you did.
Everyone knows WizKids does Heroclix minis, right? Apparently, they did do a patent on a 'rotating wheel to select different unit characteristics' as a game mechanic, and (word on the street is) threatened to sue FFG over the maneuver wheel in X-Wing being an infringement on that. (Who knows who would have won if it *did* come to court - but at the time, FFG was much, MUCH smaller than they are, now, and 'who can buy the better lawyers' tends to decide who wins) Rather than fight it out, the two companies came to terms by FFG basically giving WizKids the "Flight Path" license for free in exchange for WizKids dropping their threat to FFG.
Do you have any references for that? I'm interested in the topic and would like to read up about it.
Not something either company has ever publicly talked about - FWIW, this is the patent in question, though:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6899332
(You'll note a link to 'images' for it on the bottom - see specifically component #62, which was apparently the point of contention)
Game mechanics are not copyright-able. That's why way back in the day you had RPG supplements that used Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Connstitution, and Charisma stats with fantasy classes and levels and monsters with hit dice that were "suitable for any fantasy role-playing game" even when D&D was the only RPG.
I have always been wondering what exactly Wizkids is licensing.
Beholders and Mindflayers.
I kid you not, it's basically a couple monsters and the 'brand', including specific spell names (not their effects!) and settings, etc. Pathfinder, for example, is an entire repdroduction of the rules (that then did its own thing, but only because it felt like it)... they just carefully filed the numbers off and made up their own monsters.
Game mechanics are not copyright-able. That's why way back in the day you had RPG supplements that used Strength, Intelligence, Wisdom, Dexterity, Connstitution, and Charisma stats with fantasy classes and levels and monsters with hit dice that were "suitable for any fantasy role-playing game" even when D&D was the only RPG.
I have always been wondering what exactly Wizkids is licensing.
Beholders and Mindflayers.
I kid you not, it's basically a couple monsters and the 'brand', including specific spell names (not their effects!) and settings, etc. Pathfinder, for example, is an entire repdroduction of the rules (that then did its own thing, but only because it felt like it)... they just carefully filed the numbers off and made up their own monsters.
Part of what made Pathfinder and a lot of the Old School Revival (OSR) games that were released possible was the Open Gaming License (OGL) that 3rd Edition D&D was released under. That license essentially permitted anyone to duplicate the game mechanics and republish it as long as they released whatever they published under the same license. It did have provisions for exempting certain identity items from the license (names and such that might be part of a licensed IP).
Doesnt seem the same at all to me.
Some similarities yes but i literally only get an xwing vibe because of the templates existing at all not because of how you use them/whats moving with them etc etc. That wouldnt be grounds for copy-cat claims, otherwise every platformer in video games would be a copycat of Mario Bros, since iirc hes the first complex platformer (Pitfall was earlier but also incredibly basic)
Not something either company has ever publicly talked about - FWIW, this is the patent in question, though:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6899332
(You'll note a link to 'images' for it on the bottom - see specifically component #62, which was apparently the point of contention)
Thank you. Interesting.
I didn't read through the entire thing, but I don't see how this could have covered x-wing maneuver dials at all. It seems to be very clear that the patent covers dials that are integrated into the base of the figure. It also seems to specify that the dial ship multiple stats and a bunch of stuff specifying the actual construction of the dial. Armada's shield dials seem like they would be in more danger than x-wings maneuver dials.
Another interesting point. My understanding is that patents can last a maximum of 20 years, and this one dates from 2001. So the click base patent, if it is still being maintained, only has a few more years before anyone can make similar click base games.
Not something either company has ever publicly talked about - FWIW, this is the patent in question, though:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6899332
(You'll note a link to 'images' for it on the bottom - see specifically component #62, which was apparently the point of contention)
Thank you. Interesting.
I didn't read through the entire thing, but I don't see how this could have covered x-wing maneuver dials at all. It seems to be very clear that the patent covers dials that are integrated into the base of the figure. It also seems to specify that the dial ship multiple stats and a bunch of stuff specifying the actual construction of the dial. Armada's shield dials seem like they would be in more danger than x-wings maneuver dials.
Another interesting point. My understanding is that patents can last a maximum of 20 years, and this one dates from 2001. So the click base patent, if it is still being maintained, only has a few more years before anyone can make similar click base games.
It's one of those things that WizKids probably would not have won, but would've been expensive for FFG to win so they chose not to challenge it. There are a lot of weak patents out there that stand for similar reasons.
Not something either company has ever publicly talked about - FWIW, this is the patent in question, though:
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6899332
(You'll note a link to 'images' for it on the bottom - see specifically component #62, which was apparently the point of contention)
Thank you. Interesting.
I didn't read through the entire thing, but I don't see how this could have covered x-wing maneuver dials at all. It seems to be very clear that the patent covers dials that are integrated into the base of the figure. It also seems to specify that the dial ship multiple stats and a bunch of stuff specifying the actual construction of the dial. Armada's shield dials seem like they would be in more danger than x-wings maneuver dials.
Another interesting point. My understanding is that patents can last a maximum of 20 years, and this one dates from 2001. So the click base patent, if it is still being maintained, only has a few more years before anyone can make similar click base games.
It's one of those things that WizKids probably would not have won, but would've been expensive for FFG to win so they chose not to challenge it. There are a lot of weak patents out there that stand for similar reasons.
And for all we know, when WizKids fired this shot across FFG's bow, FFG may have been well into development of 'Armada' (which, I agree, is a LOT more 'Clix'-like with its fighters). Rather than take the expense of fighting a battle once that they might win, only to have to fight it again and likely lose the second time, they just decided to settle on giving them the 'Flight Path' license to get their own blank check.