It’s another day ending in Y, and Netflix has found itself embroiled in a legal quagmire over the canceled tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) based on Zack Snyder’s anticipated sci-fi flick, Rebel Moon.
The cinematic streamer is being sued by Evil Genius Games, the brains behind the axed TTRPG, in a lawsuit filed in the sunny state of California.
Evil Genius Games, not just a whimsical name but a company known for creating engaging TTRPGs, collaborated with Netflix to bring the Rebel Moon universe from the screen to tabletops. However, the alliance crumbled, with the game company alleging unjust termination of the project in May, citing supposed violations of confidentiality clauses by Evil Genius.
“Ah, the confidentiality card,” one might muse, raising an eyebrow at the unfolding drama. The developers claim that it kept Netflix in the loop, nodding in agreement at every piece of information unveiled to the public. The termination, as per their contention, not only blindsided them but also wreaked havoc on their finances due to sunk development costs and vanished sales prospects.
David Scott, the voice of Evil Genius Games, expressed his team’s quest for recognition and the desire to release it to all TTRPG fans, saying:
It’s disheartening to see Netflix backpedal on content that was jointly showcased and had received their prior consent.
The lawsuit unveils a tapestry of agreements and promises, with Evil Genius Games paying Netflix a licensing fee and agreeing to share the profits derived from the TTRPG. The game company halted other projects to channel their energy and resources into crafting a comprehensive guide and world bible for Rebel Moon, expanding on Snyder’s envisioned universe.
However, the skies darkened on May 25 this year when Netflix decided to pull the plug, alleging that Evil Genius had overstepped by sharing artwork at an industry trade show. The artwork, as per Evil Genius, had received the green light from Netflix prior to the event.
In the aftermath, Netflix claimed ownership of all work related to the project, sparking allegations from Evil Genius that the streaming giant was maneuvering to commandeer their intellectual property and thwart the game’s release.
As the legal battle simmers, with Netflix yet to comment, the TTRPG community and Rebel Moon fans are left hanging in suspense, awaiting the fate of a game that promised to immerse them deeper into the intriguing Snyder universe.
In the big picture of the entertainment world, where cinema and gaming intertwine, this legal tussle highlights the intricate dance of collaboration and conflict, creativity and control.
As we await the court’s verdict, one can only hope that the true spirit of gaming and storytelling triumphs over corporate wrangling, bringing the Rebel Moon TTRPG to the eager hands of players around the world.
Meanwhile, Snyder fans can look forward to the premiere of Rebel Moon Part 1: A Child of Fire on Netflix on December 22.
