Update: It doesn't look like things are quite sorted yet, as Thomas and Joseph Bailey – the artist and musician of Devil Engine – have issued their own statement, saying that Tristan Chapman (lead developer and designer of the game) no longer has the right to use the art and music featured in Devil Engine:
Original Story [Tue 12th Jan, 2021 09:00 GMT]: In July last year, publisher Dangen Entertainment and developer Protoculture Games became embroiled in a dispute regarding the latter's excellent 2D shmup Devil Engine.
Protoculture claimed that it hadn't seen a single penny from sales of the title on either Switch or Steam, and that Dangen – which, at that point, was still trying to cope with the fallout from harassment allegations made against its departed CEO, Ben Judd – was refusing to sign the Devil Engine IP back over. Protoculture revealed that it no longer had "access" to Devil Engine on Switch or Steam, and this had resulted in the delay of the game's much-hyped 'Ignition' expansion.
We're now happy to report that both companies have settled this dispute and have issued a joint statement, which reads as follows:
We really liked Devil Engine when we reviewed it way back in 2019, calling it "a brutal yet rewarding tribute to the likes of Thunder Force and R-Type" and awarding it 8/10.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 17
Glad this is settled so they can finally release the expansion!
Is this going to be like Save Me Mr Tako where the previously published version will get de-listed, in order for the developer to self-publish their version to update as needed?
@RupeeClock That's a good point - I'd imagine it would have to be like that, as Dangen is the original publisher. I'll ask.
For me the best old skool yet new gen shooter on the switch. Rolling gunner and many more offer great bullet hell madness but if you want that old school arcade feel with modern pixel graphics and awesome sound, this is well worth it.
I assume that those of us who previously purchased Devil Engine will continue to be able to redownload the original release from our eShop accounts as normal, right?
@The_Pixel_King You speak for me also. I was sadly avoiding this game because of the dispute.
However, it seems that dispute is not entirely ended even now:
https://twitter.com/Protocultgames/status/1348841432002424832
@COVIDberry Oh come on. 😬😬😬
@SimoneBelmont I don't make the news, I just read it.
Frustrating, isn't it?
@COVIDberry Unsavoury to say the least. Thanks for bringing this to light, buddy.
This is great news - rushing to the eShop now to buy. I'd been holding out!
@COVIDberry Oh, not at you! I’m not shooting the messenger!
Is it safe to buy now or are they re-releasing the game?
@Tedikuma The dev is saying on Steam it's safe to buy, and that the game is going to be updated. No mention of the Switch version, though.
Is tweeting a message about leaving the developer the same as actually legally losing rights to something? Wouldn't that mean that they would have to completely remove the game and put new music? Seems like the dev is super excited over on Steam. Too much conflicting info!
Urgh, what a mess
@SimoneBelmont the other 2/3 doesn't seem to agree it's good to go https://twitter.com/Protocultgames/status/1349000023992750081
Such a great game. Easy to recommend to anyone who's into shoot them ups. I hope they finally settle it soon so more people can enjoy the game
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