Virtual Legality

With the shocking announcement of the departures of Giant Bomb mainstays Vinny Caravella, Alex Navarro, and Brad Shoemaker, the future of the fan favorite video game crew (and personality-based media progenitors) is in question.

But what effect did the purchase of CNET Media Group (parent to Giant Bomb) to venture capital firm Red Ventures have on the future of Giant Bomb?

How do purchasers often protect themselves with contract language and incentives in the case of a purchase?

And what does Vinny have to say about the contract question?

We salute a crew that helped alter the modern video game media landscape...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/eUyihLknexw

#GiantBomb #CNET #RedVentures

***

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Vinny Caravella/Alex Navarro/Brad Shoemaker announce they're leaving Giant Bomb"

Tweet - May 4, 2021 - NESbot

https://twitter.com/NESbot_feed/status/1389646288166211586

"We'll have some stuff to say about where Giant Bomb goes from here..."

Tweet - May 4, 2021 - Jeff Gerstmann

https://twitter.com/jeffgerstmann/status/1389650808401063939

"Yeah, that sure looks like a six month key employee service requirement..."

Tweet - May 4, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://twitter.com/HoegLaw/status/1389648500124790788

"ViacomCBS sells CNET Media Group to digital marketing company Red Ventures"

Games Industry Biz - September 14, 2020

https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-09-14-viacomcbs-sells-cnet-media-group-to-digital-marketing-company-red-ventures

"Unknown number of layoffs at GameSpot following Red Ventures deal"

Gamasutra - October 9, 2020

https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/371669/Unknown_number_of_layoffs_at_GameSpot_following_Red_Ventures_deal.php

"Red Ventures Announces Closing of Acquisition of CNET Media Group"

PR News Wire - October 30, 2020

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/red-ventures-announces-closing-of-acquisition-of-cnet-media-group-301163922.html

Viacom CBS Form 10- K

December 31, 2020

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/813828/000081382821000005/viac-20201231.htm

"NON-BINDING TERM SHEET"

SEC Edgar Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1409197/000121390019013304/f8k071919ex99-1_bespoke.htm

"ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT"

SEC Edgar Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1538217/000155335018000875/srax_ex10z01.htm

"ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT"

SEC Edgar Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1220754/000119312507217658/dex21.htm

"ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT"

SEC Edgar Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1219210/000119312509086991/dex101.htm

"STANDARD FORM OF RETENTION BONUS AGREEMENT"

SEC Edgar Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/34115/000119312517199881/d383177dex103.htm

"Giant Bomb"

Wikipedia Entry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Bomb#Acquisition_by_Red_Ventures_(2020-present)

"Haha, no..."

Tweet - May 4, 2021 - Vincent Caravella

https://twitter.com/VinnyCaravella/status/1389675755592994828

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

(0:00) Introduction

(2:18) Rolling Coverage of Day 1 (GameSpot)

(7:03) Opening Slides and Day 1 (The Verge)

(22:49) Day Two Twitter Thread (Adi Robertson)

(23:55) Accidental Disclosures

(25:18) Framing FreeFortnite

(27:45) Apple v Sony (Crossplay)

(29:31) Using Tim Sweeney's Previous Words

(30:53) Project Liberty and Sneakiness

(35:08) Microsoft and Pricing Requirements

(40:58) Assuaging Fears (Console Distinctions)

(43:28) Impulse Buys (Sweeney Concludes)

(47:06) Additional Witnesses (Simon and Patel)

(53:50) Conclusion

null

As the "Epic vs Apple" festivities begin in earnest, enterprising Internet citizens discover more and more interesting documents in the discovery materials. ***

Now, Tom Warren of The Verge has uncovered exchanges between Epic and Sony in which the PlayStation manufacturer rejected attempts by Epic to add "crossplay" (or "cross-platform play") in Epic's Fortnite product, before possibly determining that it could justify the move...with a bit of royalty incentive.

Is Sony charging for crossplay? Would this be a new concept for the industry? Is it completely unacceptable or can it be justified? And what does the company's own publisher agreement say about the topic?

Apple v Epic is the gift that keeps on giving...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/ILdNW8_Tfw8

#PlayStation #Sony #Crossplay

***

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

2:04 An Exchange of Emails

11:30 A Crossplay Revenue Plan

21:09 The Global Developer and Publisher Agreement

31:02 Conclusion (Quieting the Discord)

***

Discussed in this episode:

"An Antitrust Epic"

YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy-lb7ReoUqL5_dTcM8ngmfV

Epic Games, Inc. v. Apple Inc.

Court Listener

https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/17442392/epic-games-inc-v-apple-inc/

"The Last of Us Part 2 as Reviewed by...Microsoft? (VL457)"

YouTube Video - May 3, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/Cqkg5giDJNU

"...this is an email from Sony to Epic Games in 2018..."

Twitter Thread - May 3, 2021 - Tom Warren

https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1389259771354681348

"Sony really hated PS4 crossplay, confidential documents reveal"

The Verge - May 3, 2021

https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/3/22417560/sony-ps4-cross-play-confidential-documents-epic-games-agreements

"GLOBAL DEVELOPER & PUBLISHER AGREEMENT" (2017)

SEC EDGAR Database

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/946581/000162828017005833/ex10-48.htm

"Announcing PlayStation’s new Partnership with Discord"

PlayStation Blog - May 3, 2021

https://www.sie.com/en/blog/announcing-playstations-new-partnership-with-discord

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

(0:00) Introduction

(2:04) An Exchange of Emails

(11:30) A Crossplay Revenue Plan

(21:09) The Global Developer and Publisher Agreement

(31:02) Conclusion (Quieting the Discord)

null

null

With the technology scene's biggest antitrust litigation in 30 years set to kick off next week, what better time is there to find out what all the noise is about.

Epic v Apple - Two huge companies, easy to both love and hate, fighting over unfathomable amounts of money, with an entire industry watching.

It's the dawn of the final day...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/daCDry0_ktA

#Epic #Apple #Lawsuit

***

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

Discussed in this episode:

"An Antitrust Epic"

YouTube Playlist - April 13, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy-lb7ReoUqL5_dTcM8ngmfV

"THE FORTNITE MEGA DROP - PERMANENT DISCOUNTS UP TO 20%"

Updated September 10, 2020

https://www.epicgames.com/fortnite/en-US/news/the-fortnite-mega-drop-permanent-discounts-up-to-20-percent

"It Was A Trap!!! A Lawyer Discusses Epic vs Apple (Fortnite Lawsuit) (VL286)"

YouTube Video - August 13, 2020 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/y04zz5g1_08

Epic Games, Inc. v Apple Inc.

Filed August 13, 2020 (US N.D. Cal)

https://cdn2.unrealengine.com/apple-complaint-734589783.pdf

"Epic v Apple: "Fortnite Out, Unreal In!" Reading Between the Lines (VL297)"

YouTube Video - August 25, 2020 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/7Ag-gBBeQnc

"ORDER GRANTING IN PART AND DENYING IN PART MOTION FOR TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER"

Epic v Apple (August 24, 2020)

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.364265/gov.uscourts.cand.364265.48.0.pdf

"Apple Sues Back! "Epic Undertook its Conduct with Malice and Fraud" (VL310)"

YouTube Video - September 8, 2020 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/aRCZGm9D-zs

"Leading App Developers Form The Coalition for App Fairness to Promote Competition and Protect Innovation on Digital Platforms"

Coalition for App Fairness Release

https://appfairness.org/app-developers-coalition-for-app-fairness-competition-innovation/

"30% “App Tax” on Creators and Consumers"

Coalition for App Fairness Website

https://appfairness.org/issues/30-app-tax/

"Legislation: Drafted and Paid For By Epic Games (VL417)"

YouTube Video - February 15, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/ImcxvWV9L4Y

"Injunction Disjunction: Epic Loss for Fortnite/Epic Win for Unreal! (VL336)"

YouTube Video - October 10, 2020 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/2EE9HvQ7z14

Epic v Apple Preliminary Injunction Order

October 9, 2020

https://www.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.cand.364265/gov.uscourts.cand.364265.118.0.pdf

"Judge in Apple v. Epic Games Case Wants In-Person Trial Starting on May 3"

MacRumors - March 1, 2021

https://www.macrumors.com/2021/03/01/epic-vs-apple-in-person-trial-may-3/

"Microsoft shakes up PC gaming by reducing Windows store cut to just 12 percent"

The Verge - April 29, 2021

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/29/22409285/microsoft-store-cut-windows-pc-games-12-percent

"Fortnite isn’t on Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming service because Epic won’t allow it"

The Verge - April 28, 2021

https://www.theverge.com/2021/4/28/22407849/fortnite-xbox-cloud-gaming-xcloud-epic-games-block

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com

null

(0:00) Introduction

(0:58) Epic Makes Its Move

(2:57) An Epic Lawsuit

(14:52) Early Rulings (TRO; Countersuit)

(17:50) Political Action (CAF)

(20:02) Injunction Junction

(24:35) NEW - Microsoft Makes an Epic Move

(29:32) NEW - Epic Keeps Fortnite off xCloud

(31:26) Conclusion

A shocking expose. An insider risking it all. The stunning consequences.

Electronic Arts is in the news again and all because they've apparently employed paid marketers to...market their goods and services.

As a "scandalous" CBC article reveals, EA has apparently been using both *incentives* AND *calls to action* to encourage FIFA players to check out FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT). To what nefarious end were such mechanisms employed? Why to make money for the company...on the back of engagement with FUT and the industry's constant companion/punching bag - the loot box.

We're just full of sarcasm and surprise mechanics of our own today...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/yn-rsJaXPyI

#EA #FIFA #LootBoxes

***

SUPPORT THE CHANNEL

PATREON - https://www.patreon.com/VirtualLegality

STREAMLABS - https://streamlabs.com/richardhoeg

STORE - https://teespring.com/stores/hoeg-law-store

***

Discussed in this episode:

"Video game giant EA steering players into loot-box option in popular soccer game, insider says"

CBC News - April 26, 2021

https://www.cbc.ca/news/gopublic/fifa21-loot-boxes-electronic-arts-1.5996912

"Confidential" FIFA 21 Presentation Slides

https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/20690561/ea_merged.pdf

"EAGATE, FIFA, Loot Boxes and the Risk to the Gaming Industry (VL432)"

YouTube Video - March 15, 2021 - Hoeg Law

https://youtu.be/MiSDzJSr1Pg

"Comments on Recent FIFA Ultimate Team Media Reporting"

EA News Webpage - April 27, 2021

https://www.ea.com/news/comments-on-recent-fifa-ultimate-team-media-reporting

***

"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

***

Twitter: @hoeglaw

Web: hoeglaw.com