Okay, so this week, I talked to the Dev/Programmer of Pickle Wars.
Here is what was said:
StaaViinsZ Writes:
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Dear Karen,
I am a friend of a site called Abandonia.
At first thought, you may think "Well, since someone is still selling Pickle Wars, it's not legally (or morally, at least) Abandonware.
Here's the problem: A while back I was on the forums, when I discovered our Admin had listed a thread for Pickle Wars.
(SEE: This page:
http://www.abandonia.com/vbullet/showthread.php?t=29702 )
Being one of my childhood games, I was ecstatic to think that perhaps it was no longer being sold and was eligible for the AB site.
On the thread he posted this link:
http://download.mvpsoft.com/attic/registered/ Saying that it was now freeware as the publisher (MVP Software) had decided to no longer sell it.
This sounded great. Then, I realized that you where still selling it. At Abandonia, we post old DOS games (fulls) that are considered to be "abandoned".
Unlike some other sites, we DO NOT post any game that is (A) still being sold or (B) Protected by the ESA.
Now, here's where it gets a little complicated. You are still selling it, yet the publisher has re-leased it as free-ware.
So is it free-ware-- or not?
Is it okay to download the full version from their server-- or not?
Is it okay to put it on AB-- Or not?
Moreover, who owns the rights?
Does MVP own the rights and therefor it's free-ware-- or do you own the rights and it is not?
Or is it shared ownership? They can do whatever they wish-- You can do whatever you wish?
Perhaps it is legally free-ware, but as you are the game dev., you still sell it, as technically it is okay to sell free-ware if you were, say, the rights owner, or game developer?
This issue is very important to me.
Pleas respond as soon a possible and please do not ignore this message.
You can also post on the AB forums, if you like. I have heard guests can post there, but I'm not totally sure if it works or how you go about it.
I hope you can explain this somewhat convoluted issue.
Thank you,
StaaViinsZ
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Karen Writes:
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I own the copyright and I am still selling it. Abandonware should not be
distributing it.
Karen
PS - the owner of MVP software died in a car accident. He only had
distribution rights which ended with his death.
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Karen Writes:
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Thanks for giving me the heads up. Here's a copy of Pickle Wars from me
(all legal)
http://---
Karen (Crowther) Chun
Redwood Games
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StaaViinsZ Writes:
Wow! Thanks!
I will post this correspondence to the forum, (Besides your download link, that will be omitted) so that everyone knows what's going on with it.
So do you think you should talk to MVP software to ask them to remove that full off of their download server?
A long while back, my Dad was looking for Non-violent "alternatives" on the PC in gaming, and somehow, he must've found Pickle Wars. As a Kid, I liked it so much, (Maybe even him as well) that I believe we bought the full version. (Years ago) Others he found were Chicken Invaders, along with a Platformer that featured a Miner and mice, I think, that I've yet to find, and a Pac-Man "Parody" game that had a character that drank cokes for health, which I've also yet to find.
Your game may not have the best graphics, but no matter what, it'll always be remembered as a classic in my family.
It must be one of the reasons why I like retro gaming now.
I have one question: The soundtrack (Song) on level 1 is, admittedly, one of the weirdest I've ever heard. I know it must be playing some famous song that I can't quite recognize. Plus it has a lot of notes that seem to be "Dissonant".
It is definitely not my favorite, but I do like it, and it is the most unique level soundtrack I've ever heard. No one else quite did anything like that.
Do you know who did that song, and what the idea was behind it?
I know it's ancient, but I thought I would just ask you, since it's not like anybody else would be better to ask.
Thanks for a classic!
Stephen W-----
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Karen Writes:
Bobby Prince did the music.
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So this clears up everything, no doubt?
Admin, please respond so I know you got this message.
Looks like Pickle Wars isn't eligible for AB yet, eh?
STUVAN