World of Warcraft really is an EverQuest copy/pasta.

[Reiwa]

Originally Posted by loramin [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

None of them copied each other's IP ... except for the original DotA, which was a custom Warcraft 3 map, so it used 100% Blizzard IP (but also made $0).

The law doesn't care about copying gameplay ideas, and in fact it's really hard to protect a gameplay idea under the law: you can't trademark or copyright it, you have to patent it, and for that you need a brand new mechanism worthy of a patent (something never seen in another game before, like the mouse trap in Mouse Trap).

Lawsuits are about copyright/trademark infringement, so they happen when people violate IP. They don't happen when one company takes the gameplay ideas of another. THJ did the former, but if they'd just made their own IP they could have gotten away with doing the latter.

Blizzard claims/claimed that Murlocs were a new and original creation even though they're clearly sahuagin.

[shovelquest]

I’m certain if you put images of Warcraft and images of Warhammer side-by-side in a courtroom, especially in the 1990s , a jury of people would say that’s IP infringement.

Dota is very comparable to Thj.

[Reiwa]

Originally Posted by shovelquest [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I’m certain if you put images of Warcraft and images of Warhammer side-by-side in a courtroom, especially in the 1990s , a jury of people would say that’s IP infringement.

Dota is very comparable to Thj.

It's more that the legal environment has since changed, despite all the salutatory crowing.

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[loramin]

First off, the whole idea that Warcraft was originally Warhammer is just wrong. Some Warcraft artists took inspiration from Warhammer (but didn't directly copy it), and Blizzard's (well, Blizzards' old company's) CEO tried to get a deal to brand the game with Warhammer (which never happened) ... but the game never meant to copy Warhammer or be a Warhammer game.



Second, if it was so easy to prove that Warhammer copied Warhammer ... why didn't GW sue them?

GW is so notoriously litigious then why I asked Google "Is GW litigious?" I got this:

Yes, Games Workshop is litigious, having recently filed a large lawsuit against online sellers for Warhammer intellectual property infringement and facing scrutiny for aggressive tactics and broad claims of copyright and trademark violations against its fan base and other entities. Similarly, The George Washington University has been involved in recent litigation, including a settlement for a breach of contract class-action lawsuit and an ongoing Department of Justice investigation into antisemitic discrimination.

Games Workshop (GW)
Aggressive IP Enforcement: GW has a reputation for being litigious, filing a significant lawsuit in early 2025 against hundreds of online sellers for trademark and copyright infringement related to Warhammer products.
Broad Claims: The company's lawsuits have targeted a wide range of items, including counterfeit miniatures, logos on products, and even related merchandise like 3D-printed helmets, cosplay gear, or items with the "Warhammer" name.
Criticism: Critics and content creators have accused GW of using aggressive, potentially predatory legal tactics, with some lawsuits being deemed baseless and causing financial damage to innocent parties.
Previous Legal Setbacks: A 2010 lawsuit established that GW could not claim copyright over products they do not produce, such as the concept of "myetic spores".

[Reiwa]

The Red Ones Go Faster - WoW Achievement

[shovelquest]

Originally Posted by loramin [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

First off, the whole idea that Warcraft was originally Warhammer is just wrong. Some Warcraft artists took inspiration from Warhammer (but didn't directly copy it), and Blizzard's (well, Blizzards' old company's) CEO tried to get a deal to brand the game with Warhammer (which never happened) ... but the game never meant to copy Warhammer or be a Warhammer game.

If they were inspired, and tried to make it to appeal to games workshop to make a deal, and after they said no then it changed from Warhammer to an identical looking game called Warcraft....then it was originally Warhammer. Period. No debate.

Originally Posted by loramin [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

Second, if it was so easy to prove that Warhammer copied Warhammer ... why didn't GW sue them?

GW is so notoriously litigious then why I asked Google "Is GW litigious?" I got this:

Honestly, idk. I always thought it was insane.

Even more so when OH LOW AND BEHOLD

another "COINKIDINK" [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

But probably because back then even the big games were dominated by a more pirate like anti corporate culture than they are now.

[Reiwa]

Originally Posted by shovelquest [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If they were inspired, and tried to make it to appeal to games workshop to make a deal, and after they said no then it changed from Warhammer to an identical looking game called Warcraft....then it was originally Warhammer. Period. No debate.



Honestly, idk. I always thought it was insane.

Even more so when OH LOW AND BEHOLD

another "COINKIDINK" [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

But probably because back then even the big games were dominated by a more pirate like anti corporate culture than they are now.

The real space marines are all the friends we made along the way.

[shovelquest]

Man one thing is for sure, Dune II was a great game.

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[loramin]

Originally Posted by shovelquest [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If they were inspired, and tried to make it to appeal to games workshop to make a deal, and after they said no then it changed from Warhammer to an identical looking game called Warcraft....then it was originally Warhammer. Period. No debate.

I literally posted a video explaining exactly why that's wrong, but if you want to just ignore it, I can't stop you.

[Reiwa]

Originally Posted by loramin [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

I literally posted a video explaining exactly why that's wrong, but if you want to just ignore it, I can't stop you.

Your argument against ripping off Warhammer is that they actually ripped off the gameplay of Dune 2 while also ripping off the Warhammer art style?