ORIGINAL: Queeg
I was skeptical all along that Calvinus could just up and sell the game to a third party, at least not without someone squawking. Certainly, I've never seen a situation quite like this and I've wondered if everything is a cut and dried as Calvinus seems to have thought. I hope he's right, because the new version of the game is like night and day more playable than the original.
I quite agree.
I can't help but wonder if part of whatever made whoever mad is that after years of more or less neglect by AGEOD/Matrix, someone else came along out of the blue and completely transformed the game engine. The core game is a great game - great atmosphere, nice rule set and overall very unique presentation. And now - unlike before - it runs great. Kinda makes AGEOD/Matrix look like a bunch of dummies for not doing this themselves.
It would be my GUESS that it is not a matter of pride but an honest question along legal terms. I can't see them worried about how this will affect sales of EAW because in essence they already sell this game, minus some features and an obvious improvement in performance. As a matter of fact I found it odd for Digital Froggies to even work on such a title. I am of the OPINION that the bungled first release hurt the sales enough of the Gold version that it was never a commercially successful enough venture to warrant any further improvements by anyone involved. Heck, even Calvinus admitted that he will never make another computer game again after this foray. Seems a shame really because of what I do know of the game. I honestly believe that if people would have invested the time and worked through some of the rather bothersome aspect they would feel as you and I, amongst others, do.
So I wouldn't call them dummies for not updating the game. In fact I'd think that DF buying and investing capital in a third iteration a big gamble.
I do hope it is resolved soon and that DF does have the ip rights to it though because it appears that they are more than capable of and willing to improve what I consider one of the most underrated games I've ever come across.
EDIT: I appreciate the mods you've done especially your counter one that I am using. Very nice. If you expand please contact me.