Ubisoft being sued for ripping off Assassin's Creed idea

[Zoop]

A science fiction author is suing Ubisoft after alleging that the premise of Assassin's Creed was stolen from his own novel, Link. John L. Beiswenger is a research engineer as well as a writer, and points to a number of similarities between his fiction and Ubisoft's game series.

Link explores the concept of the "Bio-synthesizer," a device that allows people to access and experience the memories of their ancestors. Desmond lives out the lives of his historical relatives in Assassin's Creed, using a similar device.

As well as the central premise, Beiswenger says there are thematic similarities, including, "spiritual and biblical tones, with references made to Jesus and God" and the experiencing of "accurate historical moments through their ancestors' memories."

"Ubisoft have directly copied, and directly and contributorily infringed on the whole of Plaintiff's copyrighted work," writes the lawsuit, which is seeking over $1.05 million and $5.25 million in damages. He also wishes to block Assassin's Creed III, and other products in the franchises, from releasing. That last goal probably won't win him any new fans.

Destructoid

Interesting. Would like to see what comes of this.

[nukehead]

How has it taken him over four years to notice this? There have been novels and films made and only now he comes forward? I don't get it.

[Zoop]

You have to remember, not everyone is a gamer. If he never came into contact with the games or novels, how was he supposed to know what they were about?

Either way, this reeks of a publicity stunt from his side regardless.

[nukehead]

Yeah not everyone is into games but it is not like the books are new. The first one was published in 2009. And if he is to be believed would be in the same genre as his and so more likely to fall on his radar sooner rather than later. I don't know, it just doesn't make enough sense.

Unlessssss?

Oh yeah, it's made **** loads of money.

[5h@un13]

He may get the money. But he wont stop the release. Can you imagine the **** storm that would follow?

[Toxxyc]

No way the release would be stopped. If it does, what's he going to ask for next? Banning of all existing AC copies? Damn. I'm pretty sure Ubisoft will be able to handle this well enough anyhow. They do have that "This work has been created by historians" and all that at the start of games, don't they? If they can prove they got their material from something other than an unknown book - success!

[Zoop]

I dunno, a machine that examines the memories of your ancestors is a bit close for comfort.

[Kharrak]

I dunno, a machine that examines the memories of your ancestors is a bit close for comfort.

Nooot exactly the most unique theme. Uncommon, but when put in the way as seen in the article, it's not hard to think of other places this has been seen.

[Zoop]

Yeah, but I meant more that it's uncommon enough that this guy might actually have a case.

Still, I don't think this is anything other than a publicity stunt. If you claim someone stole your idea, and that person made 4 games (5 if you include the NDS game) and just as many novels, then $1 million is petty cash. I bet sales for his book will see a slight increase for a while. My interest is piqued, but I'm certainly not buying simply because if it IS a publicity stunt, I don't want to cave. :P

[James Donaldson]

Can't comment on his works, not having read his books, but he's not asking for a lot of money, when regarding how successful Assassin's Creed is. Blocking the game won't happen though.

Trying to figure why it took him so long, I can only say if you're not a gamer, how would you know Assassins Creed is "Quantum Leap" Sci-Fi and not historical?

[Squirly]

I dunno, a machine that examines the memories of your ancestors is a bit close for comfort.

Yeah, like a machine that let's you travel back in time. Thankfully only one person has ever thought of that.

This whole thing is bull****. He's suing them for the idea of ancestral memory through DNA, which I seem to remember as being a big part of the ****ing Dune universe. Frank Herbert wrote that a while back.

They use the word 'link' several times, he says. Holy ****, are we going to sue each other for single words now? Doesn't matter if they use it in a context that's similar to your 2003 story, why would they use a different word if what they're doing is exactly described by that word. It's like copyrighting the word 'warp'. Every sci-fi story that uses a concept of faster than light travel which then also uses the word 'warp' in that context would get sued by whoever used it first. It's retarded.

[nukehead]

Bethesda might have something to say about copywrting words...