Here is Gizmodo's reporting on the situation:
https://gizmodo.com/rebel-moon-ttrpg-netflix-sued-evil-genius-games-1850880262 (https://gizmodo.com/rebel-moon-ttrpg-netflix-sued-evil-genius-games-1850880262)
Here is Evil Genius's statement:
https://evilgeniusgames.com/netflix-lawsuit/ (https://evilgeniusgames.com/netflix-lawsuit/)
tldr Evil Genius won a bid at the beginning of the year to develop a Rebel Moon tabletop roleplaying game and set off doing so at breakneck speed and in the process, creating a World Bible lauded by Zack Snyder. In May, two months after signing the official contract for the project, Netflix terminated the agreement citing a breach of confidentiality. Evil Genius is suing to get the product out the door in the name of fan enjoyment, recognition, and receiving anticipated profits from the project.
As someone who is excited cautiously optimistic about Rebel Moon, I think this situation is pretty wild and may cast a shadow over the release of Zack Snyder's purported "Star Wars killer." While it's easy to dogpile on Netflix, I would very much like to hear their side of the story before drawing conclusions.
I am a bit surprised that they think that can sell "millions of dollars worth of game products." I had no idea the TTRPG trade was so profitable these days and I am not longer surprised that small presses are increasing in number.
I suspect that what happened is when EGG and the two Netflix employees showed off Rebel Moon at GAMA this year another publisher approached Netflix and offered Netflix a much greater financial offer to license Rebel Moon and Netflix is trying to find any kind of loophole to break the contract to get more money from the RPG.
Another factor is the world bible EGG wrote with Snyder that Netflix probably wasn't expecting and because this world bible has way more world information than what Netflix has it does seem to lead to a potential IP ownership conflict since EGG wrote it and not Netflix, so Netflix is trying to scoop this from EGG.
Either way, all of this is interesting and it will be interesting to see what results. I hope EGG wins.
Quote from: Votan on September 30, 2023, 10:34:33 PM
I am a bit surprised that they think that can sell "millions of dollars worth of game products." I had no idea the TTRPG trade was so profitable these days and I am not longer surprised that small presses are increasing in number.
Well,
Rebel Moon is anticipated to be a major release. Millions of people will probably view the first film by the end of the year. So, if a thousand GM's and players buy both Corebooks in print, assuming they're priced $60 apiece, that's $240,000. Then, let's say an additional thousand players buy just the Player's Guide, that's another $60,000. Then, let's say another thousand buy a digital version priced, oh, $25 for another $25,000. That totals up to $325,000 right there
in revenue, on an ultra-conservative estimate, just from the two core rulebooks with no supplemental products. Considering that, I can see how they saw millions over the course of two or three years. It was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for the little studio.
Quote from: RebelSky on October 01, 2023, 12:43:25 PM
I suspect that what happened is when EGG and the two Netflix employees showed off Rebel Moon at GAMA this year another publisher approached Netflix and offered Netflix a much greater financial offer to license Rebel Moon and Netflix is trying to find any kind of loophole to break the contract to get more money from the RPG.
This would indeed be scummy and do much to poison their own potentially-gold-egg-laying goose.
Quote from: RebelSky on October 01, 2023, 12:43:25 PM
Another factor is the world bible EGG wrote with Snyder that Netflix probably wasn't expecting and because this world bible has way more world information than what Netflix has it does seem to lead to a potential IP ownership conflict since EGG wrote it and not Netflix, so Netflix is trying to scoop this from EGG.
This is where I cut Netflix slack
pending further information. Nobody told EGG to go so above-and-beyond for the IP, that's what they unilaterally chose to do (being supportive, enthusiastic partners) and Netflix cannot be held responsible for their extraordinary steps. Netflix owns the IP and they sold a license for a product line.