Call of Duty Demo Open Letter [Aug 28, 2003, 6:31 pm ET] – Share – Viewing Comments
Though we don't really offer much in the way of downloads here, Blue's News is
supporting the sentiments in the following open letter, which demonstrates to
Activision (and hopefully the rest of the industry) what the undersigned sites
feel are the general sentiments of the community about the downsides of
exclusive demo releases. As a result, these sites will not be carrying the Call
of Duty demo, even after its FilePlanet exclusivity (story) is
over. Update: To be clear, this does not mean we will not carry news of
when the demo is released, exclusive or not. Here's the letter:
After discussions with Activision, the following websites will not be carrying the Call of Duty playable demo, even after its exclusivity is over. This is due to Activision's decision to not accede to the reasonable request of making the demo freely available to all game enthusiasts at the same time.
3D Downloads
3D Gamers
AusGamers
Blue's News
EdgeFiles (Callofduty.org)
FileFront
FileShack
GameGossip
Gamer's Hell
Loadedinc
Tiscali Games
WorthPlaying
The above-listed websites hope to show Activision that the enthusiast industry is strongly opposed to the idea of exclusive demo releases.
Feedback from our users shows that gamers hate to be forced through a single point of congestion if they want a demo right away. While these websites are actually competitors, this competition provides the freedom of choice that enthusiasts want by offering the widest possible distribution of any demo (a sample intended to interest as many gamers as possible in the full product, after all) rather than the most restricted one.
Therefore, something this disrespectful of the industry as a whole has inspired all of these websites to stand together in this open letter.
Deals like this hurt the industry much more than they could possibly enhance a single relationship, and we ask for your support in sending out this message.
I remember when Ubi and FilePlanet had an exclusive demo for Raven Shield's multiplayer demo. When other sites began posting it (before FP even had it up), Ubi's legal department started sending out the following cease and desist order:
Meanwhile, FilePlanet's demo download page had the following text, to prove what consummate professionals they are:
"FilePlanet's Got The US Exclusive for the RAINBOW SIX Raven Shield Demo! Other Game Sites Can Have it When They Take it From Our Cold Lifeless Fingers..."
After a firestorm of protest, the exclusive demo became non-exclusive just one day later.
It will be interesting to see what Activision does.
This is an official cease and desist notice. You are in direct violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.
The demo file for Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment's Raven Shield is owned exclusively by Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment, and by distributing the demo file to the public you are jeopardizing an exclusive agreement between Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment and GameSpy Industries.
Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment orders you to immediately remove the file from your site, 3dGamers, as you are in violation of statutory digital copyright laws and liable for fines of up to $100,000, in addition to financial ramifications stemming from breach of contract commitments between Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment and GameSpy Industries.
This file will be exclusive to Ubi Soft(r) Entertainment and GameSpy Industries through November 21st, when you may again post the Raven Shield Demo.
Meanwhile, FilePlanet's demo download page had the following text, to prove what consummate professionals they are:
"FilePlanet's Got The US Exclusive for the RAINBOW SIX Raven Shield Demo! Other Game Sites Can Have it When They Take it From Our Cold Lifeless Fingers..."
After a firestorm of protest, the exclusive demo became non-exclusive just one day later.
It will be interesting to see what Activision does.
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