Ubisoft sued for 'ripping off' Assassin's Creed idea

[The Joker]

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.

Direct summary of the book in question:

The author lets the reader be present right alongside the scientists as they uncover some of the very secrets of Creation, and while test subjects are taken back in time to recall ancestral memories, a process key to proving the existence of the human soul. Intrigue enters the plot as competitors, a foreign government, and a special-interest group learn of Search International's discoveries

http://www.destructoid.com/ubisoft-s...a-226063.phtml

All I can say is wow...That is seriously sad..Copying a novel and turning it into a game, then milking it dry without ever asking the author permission...Hope he takes them for 100 million minimum and blocks AC 3 from being launched, that'll hit them hard.

[Crzwaco]

Or partner up with them and make a epic AC3 and share the income.

But yeah shame on you ubisoft for ripping of someone.

[simon]

Good, will serve them right for screwing around with Blackhole and every other developer.
Ubisoft is probably worse then EA and deserves punishment for their crimes haha

[The Joker]

Ubisoft and Ea are technically the same type of crap lol
Can't stand either of the 2 companies..but this is a really shit move by Ubisoft...I seriously hope they get taken to the cleaners.

[Necuno]

Not sure if I really care. This makes me think of WoW copied form EQ and EQ from DnD and so on. Just because ideas are similar doesn't mean they were just copied. Then all shooters are copy of wolfenstein...

...Just feeling. I'm probably wrong.

[Graal]

Well, you have to admit, the idea of a machine that uses your DNA to relive memories of your ancestors is a bit too intricate to be coincidence.

However, my thoughts is that this is nothing more than a publicity stunt from the author. Also, $1 million is fuck-all if you believe someone stole your idea. Ubisoft can probably pull that out of their asses.

Worst part? Ubisoft is probably going to blame the whole thing on PC pirates.

[Necuno]

Well, you have to admit, the idea of a machine that uses your DNA to relive memories of your ancestors is a bit too intricate to be coincidence.

However, my thoughts is that this is nothing more than a publicity stunt from the author. Also, $1 million is fuck-all if you believe someone stole your idea. Ubisoft can probably pull that out of our asses.

Worst part? Ubisoft is probably going to blame the whole thing on PC pirates.

Fixed.

[........]

[crashdan]

Heavy days thanks for the post and info on this, hope they make a new awesome one with the writer as well

[Venom]

So he didn't notice this When AC1 launched or any of the others. Just because one person has a Idea doesn't mean another person cant have a similar idea. they share similarities but hardly seem to be exact .

[Murph]

Took him a while didn't it?