Bitmap Books, the UK writer identified for its sumptuously designed line-up of retro gaming books, has introduced it is cancelling its deliberate unofficial Mega Drive/Genesis Visible Compendium following threats of authorized motion from Sega.
Bitmap’s Mega Drive Visible Compendium would have been the eighth title within the placing Visible Compendium collection, following books overlaying the gaming highlights and historical past of the Atari 2600/7800, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum, NES, SNES, and Grasp System.
The latter quantity was produced in partnership with Sega, however despite Bitmap Books’ efforts, its deliberate Mega Drive Visible Compendium did not have the official backing of the corporate, finally resulting in its demise.
Saying the cancellation of the Mega Drive/Genesis Visible Compendium on Bitmap Books’ web site, inventive director Sam Dyer wrote, “We have needed to push again the discharge date a couple of instances, and as of now, haven’t communicated why.
“I am afraid to say that we have now been requested by Sega to take away the itemizing or face potential authorized motion. As a small enterprise, this isn’t one thing we will threat. After discussions, their place is non negotiable. It’s in fact their proper to undertaking their IP as they see match.”
“Personally I’ve regrets with this undertaking,” Dyer added, “as I ought to have put the brakes on some time again. As a substitute I pressed on with the idea that it might be OK due to the assorted efforts made to state that the ebook is ‘unofficial’ and the skew in the direction of third-party video games. I used to be additionally buoyed by the variety of Sega fan associated initiatives that had been on the market that aren’t challenged legally. In hindsight, this was a mistake, and I ought to have shelved the undertaking.”
“As of as we speak, I need to admit defeat,” Dyer continued. “I am not ready to threat all the things I’ve labored for, and jeopardise the superb initiatives we have now within the works. As a small enterprise, we can’t combat one thing like this legally. I wished to personally apologise to our followers that had been wanting ahead to the ebook, and for our lack of readability across the scenario.”
Dyer added that Bitmap Books is at present exploring methods to launch the Mega Drive Visible Compendium as a free PDF, and can accomplish that if possible sooner or later.
Eurogamer contacted Sega for this story however the writer declined to remark.
