Why isn't this game available for purchace & download?

[fulano]

There are great websites that sell games like this (such as gog.com) and they're doing well. Is there a reason Battlezone II hasn't been included as a download at one of these websites? I had to search forever just to find a CD of the game that was under $30.

I'm a fan of these old games that were fun and required thought to play and not just graphical wonders designed by addiction specialists.

[GSH]

I wish it was more readily legally available. I suspect that the complicated licensing has hurt things. Activision was the publisher, and similar games (Interstate '76, '82) are available on http://gog.com . But, Activision rented the name Battlezone from Atari for two titles, and two titles only. Atari's gone thru a ton of ownership changes in the past 12 years; sometimes I joke that the rights to Atari are passed around in Cracker Jack boxes.

Unfortunately, it would probably take lawyers (which cost $$$) to read over the original license terms between Activision and Atari and then sort out the digital distribution rights. And that would usually cost something for Activision and Atari's lawyers to amend the original contract(s) and sign off on the changes.

-- GSH

[fulano]

Ahh, that is right... I remember reading that when someone asked why we can't ask for the game to become open source in some forum somewhere... That is sad when this happens to great games like this. I did notice that somebody added the game to GOG.com's wish list, maybe if we get enough people to vote for it then they'll put the effort into it. Thanks!

[Dataanti]

I would love to see this game on steam.

[Axeminister]

Ahh, that is right... I remember reading that when someone asked why we can't ask for the game to become open source in some forum somewhere... That is sad when this happens to great games like this. I did notice that somebody added the game to GOG.com's wish list, maybe if we get enough people to vote for it then they'll put the effort into it. Thanks!

That would be me.
Now that you have the cd be sure to get the latest patch and the G66 mod and join us. PM me if you have questions.

[Dataanti]

What if we ask Activision and Atari really nicely as a community to get it on some online downloadable service, they wouldn't have to put them on disc or anything so it wouldn't be a lot to distribute and they would probably make them a little extra cash.

^^^

Perfect world.

[Axeminister]

What if Atari actually spent money on a BZ3 and it made lot of money, they would want to sell the old games in bundles etc, so I doubt asking nicely will accomplish anything. It's all about the greenbacks, not courtesy.

[Fulmen]

and it made lot of money

Except that it won't. Genres like this do not sell well. That's why there have been barely any other games like the Battlezone series. The sad fact is that games where you can just jump in and start killing without thinking much else than which button fires the weapon is what appeals to the masses. That's why game series like Battlefield and Call of Duty have been such major successes.

Unless you can convince greedy corporations to start thinking about something else than major profit, there's not a hope in hell that a video game publisher/developer the size of Atari or Activision will start making BZ3. Smaller game developers probably can't even afford taking the risk of paying large sums to get the rights to develop a game that will most likely sell just enough to barely pay back the cost of making the game, if even that much.

So in short: fat chance you're ever going to see an official BZ3.

[Ded10c]

^What he said.

[Zax]

What if Atari actually spent money on a BZ3 and it made lot of money, they would want to sell the old games in bundles etc, so I doubt asking nicely will accomplish anything. It's all about the greenbacks, not courtesy.

Atari burned their public image to the ground years ago, I doubt they'd want to save face now of all times.

[Red Devil]

the Battlefield franchise took a lot from BZ/BZ2, but morphed the scrap gathering and base building/tech into points/persistent stats and unlocks.

[fulano]

I would love to see this game on steam.

NOT Steam! Something DRM free preferably, I've only tried steam a few times and it's broken EVERY time. gog.com would be ideal because they sell older DRM free games for cheap.

Except that it won't.

Ya, the masses don't like hard games anymore. Look at Halo, your health is refilled if you don't get shot for like 10 seconds. Everybody requires graphics too so graphics plus a well designed game that requires thought means a lot of design and programming. I don't think we'll see games of this genera at all anymore, except for open source and updated old games (like what's happening here).


There IS a company that designed a harder-than-average RTS called Sins of a Solar Empire. They're still developing expansions based on what the players tell them in their forums, ya they actually read their forums! The companies are very player oriented instead of just for profit. It's nice to see someone cares anymore.

[VSMIT]

I would love to see this game on steam.

NOT Steam! Something DRM free preferably, I've only tried steam a few times and it's broken EVERY time. gog.com would be ideal because they sell older DRM free games for cheap.

Sounds like a user problem. I've used Steam for a few years now, and I've never had any issues.

[Ded10c]

I would love to see this game on steam.

NOT Steam! Something DRM free preferably, I've only tried steam a few times and it's broken EVERY time. gog.com would be ideal because they sell older DRM free games for cheap.

Sounds like a user problem. I've used Steam for a few years now, and I've never had any issues.

Likewise. I have also never had a problem. What are you trying to do?

[Dataanti]

I would love to see this game on steam.

NOT Steam! Something DRM free preferably, I've only tried steam a few times and it's broken EVERY time. gog.com would be ideal because they sell older DRM free games for cheap.

Except that it won't.

Ya, the masses don't like hard games anymore. Look at Halo, your health is refilled if you don't get shot for like 10 seconds. Everybody requires graphics too so graphics plus a well designed game that requires thought means a lot of design and programming. I don't think we'll see games of this genera at all anymore, except for open source and updated old games (like what's happening here).


There IS a company that designed a harder-than-average RTS called Sins of a Solar Empire. They're still developing expansions based on what the players tell them in their forums, ya they actually read their forums! The companies are very player oriented instead of just for profit. It's nice to see someone cares anymore.

I never have problems with Steam, and Steam is free...

Also, if you think halo is easy, try playing LASO on halo games, it's almost impossible...