Topic: GoldenEye --OT--

Expand

@HarmanSmith To be honest, I don't think anyone really knows yet and that video was based purely on the 'official' information provided by both Parties (Nintendo & Microsoft) - which looks at the Language used from a 'Legal' perspective and speculating on what that means - as much by what hasn't been stated as by what has...

The point is that MS hasn't actually stated that this game will be available as a separate, stand alone Purchase to Xbox gamers - stating that its 'available' through Game Pass and to owners of the Digital version of Rare Replay. From a 'legal' perspective, that would indicate that this is 'Only' available via those two routes BUT the 'omission' of mentioning 'selling' the game separately is not necessarily indicative of the game never being 'sold'.

You have to remember that this guy was reacting to the 'initial' reveal and info that both 'presented' in regards to availability, build and features. More info may of come out since to answer some of the questions that people had, but at the time, the fact that MS hadn't stated the game would have Online or be available to Purchase, then it would appear that its only part of Rare Replay. It seems that 'neither' are willing to let the other 'sell' these games as they both own some rights and that this was the compromise - its been a LONG time coming and 'years' of negotiation to come to some arrangement that both Nintendo and Microsoft both agreed on to enable them to bring a 25yr old game to a modern day audience.

Its the Licensing rights that kept Goldeneye (as well as some other Rare games) off of Rare Replay originally (and had made a 360 Arcade version but couldn't release), but by adding it to 'Rare Replay', you are effectively not using a 'Goldeneye' licence to play Goldeneye, not selling a Goldeneye Licence either and under Game Pass or whatever Nintendo's streaming service is called, you are accessing it via your 'subscription' licence and 'if/when' it leaves GP, can be 'sold' as part of Rare Replay for example so not selling 'Goldeneye' Licences which would anger/upset Nintendo who owns the rights to that and Nintendo can't sell Goldeneye either as they don't own the rights to the game design, maps assets etc and James Bond Licence itself is somewhat in Limbo too (although IO Interactive are making a new James Bond game). This way, neither 'really' profits from the other if neither can 'sell' the game but both can 'bolster' their line-up and Subscription services as you are not 'selling' Goldeneye, but a service that just so happens to offer Goldeneye. MS can turn round to Nintendo (or Vice Versa) and say that they don't owe 'either' any money for selling something they own a part of because they sold a 'service', not a game and in the case of Rare Replay, its part of that package and wholly owned by MS - like I said, Nintendo own the Publishing rights to Goldeneye, which stops MS publishing it, but Rare own the Game design/assets etc so can now include it in Rare Replay by letting Nintendo use their Game Code/assets on their Sub service - neither is 'profiting' from the others 'Licences' they hold or owe each other 'money' based on sales.

I would never say never, but it does seem that 'initially' at least, if you have an Xbox, then you'll need either a Digital copy of Rare Replay OR Game Pass to play. Unless there has been new info to the contrary, not some others speculating and opining what they think will happen which can mislead people who mistake opinion/speculation as 'fact', which is why I only react to 'Official' statements. The reason I linked this video is because the Guy looks at the actual wording used from the perspective of a Lawyer and what would hold up in a court of law. As MS didn't state it would be available to purchase or include an online MP, then 'legally', they are not obliged to do so - especially not at 'launch'. Whether things change later or not is irrelevant but you couldn't sue for being 'misled' that the Xbox version would be available to purchase or would have online support on the day it becomes 'available' on GP/Rare Replay.

That's why he is an interesting person to look at things like this as he looks at it from the Legalities side at not from some expectant/hopeful fanboy. Things change 5-10yrs ago, the 'original' Goldeneye seemed lost in the past, you needed an N64 (or emulation on PC) to play it, now its coming to both Switch and Xbox in 'some' form - whether its the 'original' game code now with online MP on Switch, or an ALL new remake of that Original game with Achievements, modern control schemes, higher resolution and frame rates but 'true' to the Original experience - part of what made the MP great was being able to see each others screen and that played into the experience, the banter, the laughter etc - seeing your friends screen as you kill them or they do something silly (blow themselves up by mistake) adds to the 'fun, laughter and enjoyment'. Its not like CoD where you have '6' in a team and 12 players+ which works because of 'online', this is upto 4 players and designed to be played in Split Screen - a 'party' game more than a full blown Multi-player experience...