Re: Crime Games [Godfather]

From: John Merrells <merrells@netscape.com>

Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000

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Pete Williams wrote:

> A few months back I saw a post in another group about this game (which
> used to be called 'Saint Vals' or something?).

'Godfather' is based on 'St. Valentines Day Massacre II'.

> There was an argument
> raging about the rights to the email version of the game.

I'd be interested to know on which group this discussion took place,because I missed it.

> I can't
> remember the exact details, but it was something about the programmer
> not owning the rights to license the game because he wasn't the
> original designer, he just coded it for someone else.

The original hand-moderated game was designed and run by Bob Middletonof Rampage Games.

Bob & I designed a computer moderated version StVals II.  I designed and
implemented all the code.

Rampage stopped running StVals II about six/seven years ago, and Rampage
itself went out of business a few years later.

Godfather is a reworking of the StVals II code.

> Yet on his site
> he claimed to be both designer and programmer (which was the reason
> for the the argument).

Um, it doesn't actually say that. But, it doesn't explain any of the StValshistory at all.

> The guy making the accusations was evidently
> "just a friend" of the 'real' designer so may have got his facts
> wrong.

I'd be interested to know who they are and what they had to say.

When I started Godfather I contacted Bob Middleton over this rights issue,
and to my recollection (it's in my email archive somewhere) he had no
intention to do anything with StVals ever again.  He offered to help get
the project up and running, offering documentation and design consultation.
But, he never followed through...

In the intervening three years no-one connected with Rampage / StVals has
contacted me over this.

> If anyone 'in the know' can clarify the situation and promise me it
> won't be folding in a sudden lawsuit, I'd like to try the game. I note
> that the 'Gamepie' (programmer's) site is still claiming credit for
> design. Has the matter been settled then?

The game won't be folding.  The commercial exploitation rights have beendistributed to Phildee & Juggernaught Press, and further
international
releases are pending.  I think that it's very unlikely that any legal objections
will be raised, and if they were, then easily challenged.  It ain't never going to
go away!

> Assuming the above can be answered satisfactorarily, I'd also
> appreciate any tips for beginners.

The rulebook, available from the Juggernaught Press Godfather pages includes
a very good players diary, written by one of the original playtesters, which gives
some excellent advice for a first time player.

John

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References

Crime Games
Ground Zero <jhovance@cscc.edu>
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Crime Games
gondoling@aol.com (GondolinG)
Wed, 14 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Crime Games
arnie@solid-gold.co.uk (Pete Williams)
Wed, 14 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000

Referenced By

Crime Games
Ground Zero <jhovance@cscc.edu>
Tue, 13 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Crime Games
gondoling@aol.com (GondolinG)
Wed, 14 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000
Re: Crime Games
arnie@solid-gold.co.uk (Pete Williams)
Wed, 14 Jan 1998 00:00:00 +0000