Netflix, the leading streaming platform, has recently found itself in legal hot water after being sued for abruptly ending a game development contract related to Zack Snyder’s highly anticipated Rebel Moon franchise. Evil Genius Games, the plaintiff in the federal court filing, claims that they were working closely with Netflix to create a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) that would be released alongside the first Rebel Moon film. The sudden termination of the contract has sparked allegations of breach of confidentiality and trust.
Evil Genius Games expresses its disappointment in Netflix’s actions, stating that the collaboration had been proceeding positively for months before everything fell apart. According to the lawsuit, just weeks after completing the work and delivering it to Netflix, the streaming platform accused the plaintiff of violating the confidentiality provisions and trust outlined in the agreement. The allegations suggested that Evil Genius had disclosed confidential Rebel Moon content at a trade show and shared unapproved artwork for the Rebel Moon game with retailers.
In their defense, Evil Genius Games insists that they had obtained permission from Netflix in March to showcase some artwork at the Game Manufacturers Association Exposition, aiming to generate industry buzz about the project. Astonishingly, the filing emphasizes that two Netflix employees even played a role in distributing the materials to retailers during the event. This disclosure further strengthens the claim that the termination of the licensing deal came as a surprise and raises doubts about the alleged breach of trust.
Evil Genius Games has engaged the services of the law firm Kibler, Fowler & Cave LLC, based in Los Angeles, to represent them in seeking unspecified damages for the breach of contract. It is worth noting that the lawsuit does not name Zack Snyder, the mastermind behind Rebel Moon, as a defendant. While awaiting a response from Netflix, the plaintiffs are determined to fight for recognition and ensure that their team’s hard work is acknowledged. They are also determined to release the game, a 228-page World Bible, a 430-page Player’s Guide, and a 337-page Game Master’s Guide, which were meticulously developed to expand and enhance Snyder’s vision for the Rebel Moon universe.
According to the lawsuit, when Evil Genius received the initial script for Snyder’s film, they realized that crucial background information was missing. Undeterred by this setback, the company took it upon itself to incorporate “all the missing pieces” and craft a cohesive backstory for the entire Rebel Moon franchise. Their dedication to filling the creative gap demonstrates their commitment to delivering a high-quality RPG experience to enthusiasts. The lawsuit asserts that Netflix’s alleged breach and termination were simply tactical moves to appropriate Evil Genius’ intellectual property and prevent them from releasing the game.
David Scott, the CEO of Evil Genius Games, expressed the gravity of their decision to take legal action. He emphasized that the lawsuit was not a decision made lightly and was primarily driven by the objective of recognizing and honoring the hard work of their team. Scott further stressed the importance of releasing the game to millions of tabletop role-playing game enthusiasts, underscoring the disappointment felt by the company when Netflix seemingly backtracked on their consent for jointly showcasing the content.
The lawsuit filed against Netflix paints a picture of a collaborative partnership between Evil Genius Games and the streaming platform that took an unexpected turn. Accused of breaching confidentiality provisions, Evil Genius has responded with claims of permission and cooperation from Netflix. Time will tell how this legal battle unfolds and whether it will impact the future of the Rebel Moon franchise and its accompanying tabletop RPG.
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