HeroQuest 25th anniversary crowdfunding!

[Sjeng]

As our backers, what would you like us to do?

I would like you to stop abusing the HeroQuest name and create your own damn game.

[chaoticprime]

As our backers, what would you like us to do?

I would like you to stop abusing the HeroQuest name and create your own damn game.

I love you.

[Thrawn]

Here is my Metaphor for GZ HQ25:

[Goblin-King]

Here is my Metaphor for GZ HQ25:

HAH!

(This video is not available in your country - Sorry about that.)

[sajungzak]

GameZone had been asked many times about legal issues and they gave false and misleading information every time.

If this gets sorted out in GameZone's favor and they can put it on store shelves in the US, then and only then will I consider getting it.

They jumped the gun, and even worse, lied to their potential supporters. Only a fool would trust them now.

[knightkrawler]

As this kickstarter reached a far wider market and target group I'd even wager they're near finished as a company. I for one will not hold back on my boycott.
If in the statement of Moon Design there are no lies or exaggerations this is not how business should be done, even less so by a small company trying to appeal to a small market.

[chaoticprime]

I think the best video analog was my New Adventures of He-Man one.

[wolfie907]

I think the best video analog was my New Adventures of He-Man one.

it was

[Hero_Of_Retro]

Most recent KS Email. Its over.. but they will still persue this on another kind of kickstarter... Moon Design, released a statement saying they also had plans to release a 25th set, a few days ago. Anyone else read about this?? Heres the link from the KS.

Gamezone Miniatures says:


Dear Backers

Last Friday we were surprised by the pause placed on our kickstarter Project of HQ25. We wrote a communiqué to you, which was also posted on our site heroquestclassic.com. In our letter we tried to communicate to you in the clearest fashion what was happening and as well to share with you all, our petition to kickstarter to have the project reopened. To do all of this publicly was to us the correct way for you as our backers to be informed of the situation and the most correct and transparent way to communicate with you as well, as our backers you have the right to know what was going on with this project.

We have done what you have ask for, we have waited in silence for KS’ answer. It has arrived. KS would prefer to keep the project on hold and wait for us to come to an agreement with third part.

The KS answer can be seen at our site.

KS’ position does not agree with as at all. The situation produced by the pause of the project has been harmful.

We do not feel that our legitimate rights over the Trademark have been protected and above all we do not wish to do business with third part under threats or duress of any sort. As a result we are proceeding to solicit KS to cancel our project on their platform.

Is this the end of HQ25? Of course not! Keep reading!

We accept the all of the respectful critics that has come our way because we learn from these things and if someone thinks differently they are free to express those opinions. What we do not accept is the disinformation y distortions that have been happening during the project's pause on KS in which we have remained silent and waited.

During these past few days our creative design crew has still been working on the development of various components, the same as always, the idea being to not lose any energy with this controversy.

The thirteen on the gallows, as we have fondly started calling the 13 professionals that are implicated in the creation of the project, have as a priority the development of this commemorative game.

We are truly more worried about you, the backers. We want thank you for the messages of support that have been rolling in. The public reaction to the news of a new edition of this classic provided undeniable and sincere joy to many. We will hold onto this as the rout to follow.

After this communiqué is sent out we will proceed to ask KS to cancel the project on their platform. After this is done we will immediately restart and continue the HQ25 project. More info at heroquestclassic.com tomorrow. Therefore the HQ25 project will return to active status. We will move from victims to survivors and conquer as we go.

We understand that KS has a larger public base than any other crowed funding platform today; we understand that moving the project to another site will mean that out backer support will decrease. However we are ready and willing to continue this campaign in a place that will offer us the correct guaranties for our trademark. We would prefer to raise fewer funds and still move forward with and produce it in time for the 25th anniversary.

We await your support and enthusiasm in this renewed crowed funding campaign.

Again, we would like to thank our backers from the bottom of our hearts, please do not regret supporting us. Let us all together get this back on track and make this dream a reality.

Gamezone


By the way, I think they still don't have the rights.. as they refused to show Moon Design proof that Hasbro gave them any rights. Confused. I wouldn't mind seeing what Moon Design has to offer. This KS just hasn't given enough proof of their right to use this. I will post it in a sec. But I don't think half off backers will go with this now.

[Hero_Of_Retro]

From the examiner. The 3rd Dec.

Moon Design Publications (MDP) clarified its stance regarding the HeroQuest Kickstarter on December 1, laying out the dialogue with Gamezone -- a dialogue that ended in Kickstarter taking the project down due to the legal dispute. Francis Greg Stafford registered the "Heroquest" trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (Registration Number 4082281) trademark for use in game book manuals, as the company explained on its web site:

“
Moon Design Publications LLC has the exclusive license for use of that trademark. For some time now we have been working on creating a board game called “Heroquest” pertaining to the mythology of Glorantha and an updated version of our Heroquest roleplaying game. The project by Gamezone, a Spanish game company, proposes to remake a role-playing/board game originally produced by Milton Bradley and Games Workshop in 1989. The project calls their game “Heroquest” which is identical to our registered mark and easily confused with it.”

There was a discussion between Gamezone and MDP on July 31, but when MDP asked for written confirmation of Hasbro's permission to produce a 25th Anniversary Edition of Hasbro’s board game, Gamezone did not comply. On August 26, 2013, MDP declined their request...and Gamezone went ahead anyway with the Kickstarter:

“
As a New York State corporation, Kickstarter is subject to US trademark laws and the use of our trademark in the campaign was a violation of those laws.We told Gamezone that they needed to immediately get a licensing agreement from us (which, among other things, would require that they pay us for the rights to the name since it would mean foregoing our opportunity to release our game using our trademark and to compensate us for that lost revenue). Gamezone did not get back to us within the period we set, and rather than have this end up in litigation (which could also bring in other parties with IP at stake), we asked Kickstarter to suspend the campaign.”

The discussions are ongoing. Gamezone has assured MDP that they have permission from Hasbro, but to date have yet to produce any evidence to satisfy MDP's requirements. MDP is sympathetic to the outpouring of support and funds for the Kickstarter:

“
We sympathize with the fans of the Milton Bradley game who enthusiastically supported this project. We strongly support Kickstarter and the revitalization of old games with a loyal following. However, such activities must be done with the consent of the trademark holder and of any other legal owners of the property.