D&D Video Game and Movie Rights

[Pour]

I saw in Merric's thread that the movie and video game rights for the D&D brand are tied up and out of the hands of Wizards and Hasbro. So as not to gank his thread, I wanted to ask if anyone knows the current status of both.

I remember hearing something about how Neverwinter was going to be Atari's last go at the property before their license expired. Who gets it next? I think many of us can agree a new, QUALITY video game could do wonders.

Similarly, what is the status of the movie rights?

 

[malraux]

Similarly, what is the status of the movie rights?

Given that WotC is currently working with SYFY on a movie, I'm going to assume that the movie rights aren't tied up with someone else.

 

[Sonny]

I saw in Merric's thread that the movie and video game rights for the D&D brand are tied up and out of the hands of Wizards and Hasbro. So as not to gank his thread, I wanted to ask if anyone knows the current status of both.

I remember hearing something about how Neverwinter was going to be Atari's last go at the property before their license expired. Who gets it next? I think many of us can agree a new, QUALITY video game could do wonders.

Similarly, what is the status of the movie rights?

There's also Daggerdale game coming out. The most interesting thing about that may be the mention of Nentir Vale in the announcement.

Either it's a mistake or they've decided to locate the Forgotten Realms version of Nentir Vale in the Daggerdale region.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Atari still seems to have rights to electronic games though, since they are involved in the Neverwinter games.

Not sure if they are involved in the console one.

 

[Dire Bare]

Given that WotC is currently working with SYFY on a movie, I'm going to assume that the movie rights aren't tied up with someone else.

If you're talking the upcoming "Book of Vile Darkness" . . . it's not WotC working with SyFy, but Silver Pictures, the same production company that made the first two.

If you're talking something else, then we're going to need more details!

 

[Dire Bare]

I saw in Merric's thread that the movie and video game rights for the D&D brand are tied up and out of the hands of Wizards and Hasbro. So as not to gank his thread, I wanted to ask if anyone knows the current status of both.

I remember hearing something about how Neverwinter was going to be Atari's last go at the property before their license expired. Who gets it next? I think many of us can agree a new, QUALITY video game could do wonders.

Similarly, what is the status of the movie rights?

To my knowledge, the current D&D live action movie rights are with Silver Pictures. Sweetpea Pictures might have rights too, not sure. Sweetpea is the company of the dude with huge brass balls who walked into TSR's offices with no real experience in the industry whatsoever, and walked out with the rights to the D&D movies. He then made a terrible movie with a moderate budget and effects. He co-produced it with Joe Silver, and Silver has been the major producer on the second film, and the upcoming third film, "Book of Vile Darkness". WotC has no (or very little) control over these films, but the producers are working with WotC to get the "details" right and WotC is promoting the film, as it helps promote their products. However, the first two movies were crap, and the third is likely to be as well.

Animated movies are a different story (I believe), as I don't think Silver Pictures had anything to do with the terrible animated Dragonlance movie released a year or so ago. Not really sure if anybody has exclusive rights.

The video game rights are currently held by Atari, and all announced projects . . . all two of them, "Neverwinter" and "Daggerdale" are Atari games. Whether their rights will soon expire or not, I don't know, haven't heard anything. WotC has very little input on the games as well, but the development houses often coordinate with WotC to try and improve the quality and "D&Dness" of the games.

While all that sounds kind of sucky, it wouldn't really be much different if different companies held the rights . . . other than we might actually get quality movies. The only way (that I see) for WotC to keep a lot of control over these sorts of projects is to somehow regain the rights and then spin off their own film and game production companies, like Marvel did with films.

I don't really care who makes the movies . . . other than someone who can actually make a good film. That'd be awesome.

 

[Sonny]

WotC has very little input on the games as well, but the development houses often coordinate with WotC to try and improve the quality and "D&Dness" of the games.

That's not quite correct, things such as creature design in games need WotC's approval unless they directly copy the Monster Manuals art for the creature. If they do change the look of a monster, it needs to be sent to WotC and approved, which can take some time, and thus, isn't an optimal route for game developers.

Obsidian made it quite clear that is why they choose to directly copy the monster designs from the MM in Neverwinter Nights 2. Also, story has to be approved by WoTC. I'm sure some other things as well. You may find more gems on D&D video game development going through the old NWN 2 forums.

It's not a case of trying to coordinate as much as being required to coordinate with them on several matters of "D&Dness". Which is to be expected with licensees. Though, it's still a lot less interference then one would get with some other Intellectual properties.

Thanks for the info on the movie rights and exactly who's developing them, I was a bit lost in the dark about that subject!

 

[Klaus]

If you're talking the upcoming "Book of Vile Darkness" . . . it's not WotC working with SyFy, but Silver Pictures, the same production company that made the first two.

If you're talking something else, then we're going to need more details!

WotC is working closely on it with Silver and Syfy, with Chris Perkins acting as a consultant on the D&Dness of it.

 

[Nagol]

<snip>

The video game rights are currently held by Atari, and all announced projects . . . all two of them, "Neverwinter" and "Daggerdale" are Atari games. Whether their rights will soon expire or not, I don't know, haven't heard anything. WotC has very little input on the games as well, but the development houses often coordinate with WotC to try and improve the quality and "D&Dness" of the games.

While all that sounds kind of sucky, it wouldn't really be much different if different companies held the rights . . . other than we might actually get quality movies. The only way (that I see) for WotC to keep a lot of control over these sorts of projects is to somehow regain the rights and then spin off their own film and game production companies, like Marvel did with films.

I don't really care who makes the movies . . . other than someone who can actually make a good film. That'd be awesome.

The game rights are owned by Atari until 2017 though with the lawsuits between Hasbro and Atari, it's possible a settlement/judgement will strip the rights from Atari before that.

Atari - D&D rights extended to 2017 - RPGWatch Forums

Hasbro Sues Atari Over D&D License, Atari Responds

 

[ourchair]

WotC is working closely on it with Silver and Syfy, with Chris Perkins acting as a consultant on the D&Dness of it.

Semi-related query: Is creative consulting for cross media ventures part of Perkins' job description?

I was under the impression that as Senior Producer, he focused more on RPGs and the media exposure he gets doing celebrity games is merely a side-thing that extends naturally from his previous (?) position as Creative Manager.