Activision Removes ORION From Steam

[PRAZ]

· 2 hrs

So apparently Activision has removed ORION from Steam. This was done via a DMCA takedown request stating:

“on behalf of Activision, who alleges that the game Orion uses weapon art content from Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The weapon art in question includes the M8A7 rifle, the Haymaker rifle, and the Bal-27 rifle."

I've uploaded comparisons of the weapons in question, from both games. I had to guess on weapons as no specific assets or images were provided to me, nor was I contacted by Steam/Valve or Activision prior to having the game removed from Steam.

(Comparison 1 - Auto Shotgun)
http://i.imgur.com/8Qx1NI2.png

(Comparison 2 - Auto Rifle)
http://i.imgur.com/IjS7dfO.png

This is extremely serious that a DCMA request has removed our entire game from sale, during the biggest sale event of the year. Apparently no cross-checking was done by our Partner, who we've been with for over 5 years and I have seen better and would expect better from them. At minimum, to contact us regarding our assets/defense before taking any action.

We've made Steam our primary platform, but this has put a definite scare into us going forward considering our entire livelihood can be pulled without a moments notice, without any warning or proper verification. I cannot even confirm that the representative from Activision is a real person as absolutely no results pop up in any of my searches.

We have worked VERY hard for many years to not only ensure our community and products were great and supported, but we made sure that we were doing a great service to Steam as a platform and programs like Early Access. This is extremely evident in any of our Product reviews.

We need everyones help and support to rectify this immediately as this erroneous claim has already costed what is a very small team a significant amount of money and we need it remedied ASAP so we can get back to work on real content, something that Activision should take note of.
#OrionNeedsYou
#LookWhosScared
#SteamWTF

[Elevert]

This sucks, I had it in cart and it wouldn't let me checkout. So dumb.

[amfest]

same here I was about to buy also :(

[StitchScout]

Sorry to hear. I hope this goes over quickly.

[Ech0Chamber]

WELL THAT'S JUST GREAT! Planned on making another video of the game this week...
I don't want this game to be removed I'm keeping it in a flash drive incase my help does not go through.
-Hexicon Gamezel

[Comissar person[FIN]]

i see only minor similiarities...typical ol activision

[NCRGatorness50]

Ah, yes. I see the similarities now; THEY'RE BOTH GUNS. What the absolute hell? This is just... scummy.

[GetCunted]

https://www.change.org/p/steam-to-overturn-the-dcma-request-by-activision-on-orion-and-allow-it-back-on-steam/c Sign this to help.

[He Who Has No Name]

There are rebuttal procedures in the DMCA that require Activision to back up their claims with a lot more than just "we say so".

However, this is already well into lawyer territory, and I would suggest you talk to at LEAST one before going any further. This is the kind of situation where early missteps or steps not taken can wildly impact the end result both for good and for bad.

[Moon]

Originally posted by David James:

· 2 hrs

So apparently Activision has removed ORION from Steam. This was done via a DMCA takedown request stating:

“on behalf of Activision, who alleges that the game Orion uses weapon art content from Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. The weapon art in question includes the M8A7 rifle, the Haymaker rifle, and the Bal-27 rifle."

I've uploaded comparisons of the weapons in question, from both games. I had to guess on weapons as no specific assets or images were provided to me, nor was I contacted by Steam/Valve or Activision prior to having the game removed from Steam.

http://i.imgur.com/ZQeBNGs.png

Whoever's working on your models right now, fire them.

[uktvuktv]

*deleated reddit link due to Moonswirl's findings

[LearnedAndVile]

But then you look at this image: http://i.imgur.com/ZQeBNGs.png
Those are very similar to each other.
(dammit ninja'd)

[Moon]

Originally posted by Durius:

But then you look at this image: http://i.imgur.com/ZQeBNGs.png
Those are very similar to each other.

you can't ninja the ninja

[uktvuktv]

Yes looks like we will have to cancel the Activision witch hunt now

[PRAZ]

Originally posted by Durius:

But then you look at this image: http://i.imgur.com/ZQeBNGs.png
Those are very similar to each other.
(dammit ninja'd)

The sight is the only similarity we can see. Even if it was a 1:1, that's not enough for a design infraction, even by legal standards and by a significant amount.

And the sight is just a futuristic M1 Garand, so either way both are ripping off a real world property, the only thing that could actually hold up and is the only one without a dog in this fight.

If anything you can argue the gun on the left is different enough, no gap on the rail, no racking bolt, missing bolts on the upper, the markings, even the actual body of the gun is quite different, the rails and front sights look very similar to the M14.

Regardless, an invalid and malicious act on Activision on wrong or non-existant evidence. They are are multi-billion dollar company coming over what is currently a 50 cent game, without contacting us or requesting anything of us NOR providing any specific assets or images of the offensive content to begin with.

[PRAZ]

That being said, if our community finds our weapons or content offensive we are of course always listening and will integrate feedback/suggestions based on such. If you want weapons changed, we are a developer that reads what you write. This is where we are most different when compared to Activision.