Epic Didn't steal Anyone's Map

A recent story has popped up about a user created map on UTIII suppository being stolen by Epic and added to the 360 version of UTIII do out later this year, however besides the actual Setting of the map the 2 maps are nothing alike, here's several screen shots proving the actual Layout and even textures of the maps are not even remotely similar.

[Breakfast]

lol...it looks like they put cod4's map and halo's new map together, and changed it up a bit, for one very average game.

[pharmd]

but they did steal someones virginity!!!!

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

Frankly looking at those screens makes me think that they did steal the idea from him, they look quite alike, just small changes done.

[Breakfast]

They stole from the guy, cod4, and halo...way to go Epic! Now for them to steal another games gameplay...

[Megaton]

Agreed Hellbringer.

The main idea for the map is identical, and the differences in execution are pretty small, mostly limited to texture and a crate being crane-lifted in Epic's map. I actually think the user's looks better, having the giant tentacles plunging into the ocean and glaciers in the background.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

^^^

Wow you explained my point soooo much better. I feel stupid now.

[mirroredderorrim]

Even if they did steal his idea, it's their game. This one is a tough call.

[DomUltra]

Oh come the ḟuck on already, they stole from the guy, and you know what's funny? EpicJon did a better job of mapping and using the textures than Epic did, sad day indeed.

Re-arranging a few things, and calling it your own is a pretty selfish thing to do, Epic, heres a royal ḟuck you!

[kenshin22up]

I thought Epic stole the map from wetworks in COD4 or something.

[NDN_Shadow]

A little defensive perhaps? Was there really any need for this? None of what the contributer of the article says is in the sourced link. All I see are some pictures. The maps ARE similar, though they are not replicas. Also we don't know why the user was banned. He could have made a nasty remark to an admin via PM.

Whether or not this is a coincidence still remains a mystery. A mystery that might never be answered.

[wow4u]

Snore. More angry FUD.

Im sure Epic doesnt need to to steal some random map.

[White-Sharingan]

are the first pics from Epic or the modder?

cause it looks a $hitload better than the bottom ones

either way its their game

but yes they do look alike

[killinet247]

Yeah I think EpicJohn's map looks way better, it just has a better feel to it and it looks more professionally done.

[Ashton]

the user generated one looks much better to me,,,Epic one looks like a cheap version of the user generated one.

don't you guys agree?

[DJ]

A boat in the middle of the ocean is the only thing that seems to be shared here.

[iheartSONY]

There not simular enough to say a map was stolen. Its a ship! theres not a whole lot you can do to a ship layout. It also looks like the COD4 ship layout and the Socom II(PS2) layout. Come on people please don't give this guy credit for his random map!

[THESWAT]

360, 360 gamers are gay ni99as

[ps3pwns]

they stole it.

[ps3pwns]

Looks like they stole it to me. Sure they may have changed some stuff (actually think the user's map looks better) But look at it their both on a ship in the middle of the ocean, there is snow in both of them, and there is cargo on both of them. So maybe Epic didn't just copy and paste that guys map, but they stole his premise and made the map theirs.

Sad for Epic, they used to be cool. First they released UT3 on PS3 and PC ONLY, and made mods available for the PS3, and now they are refusing splitscreen for the PS3 yet 360 gets it even though microsoft gave them a bunch of lip about mods, and their stealing maps from users to put on the 360 version to make up for no mods.

Epic must be pretty desperate for attention if they are sucking up to a company that spat in their face about mods.

I don't see why they aren't treating Sony better! They let Epic do whatever they want, and make their game the best it could be.

Epic should refuse to put UT3 on 360 for microsoft taking mods out, I mean Unreal Tournament has always been about mods!

I'm betting that the reason Gears of War 1 (I don't use GOW because that belongs to God of War, which in my opinion is a much better game and deserves it, plus it came out first) was 360 exclusive was because microsoft threw 50mil at epic, but this time around with gears 2 I bet epic would be willing to pay microsoft to make it 360 exclusive.

Wow Epic could you be anymore 360 whores?!?!

Don't worry it will bite them in the ass when 2 years from now the 360 is dead having a final sales count of 28mil and the PS3 is still going strong with 50mil and about 6 more years to go.

Question is where will Microsoft go from there? obviously the 360 is not built for the long haul (cough...30% failure rate...cough) so 2 years from now when it is dead will they make the xbox 720? I mean seeing how they have never made a profit off the xbox, will they decide to make another? If they do will the PS3 be able to compete? Will the PS3's 10 year plan be ruined, and will sony have to put out the PS4 in 3 years? If the xbox 720 is made will it use blu-ray or have a 1TB hard drive and make everything digital distribution? If it uses digital distribution, how fast will downloads be 2 years from now? If they are much the same would you wait days for your 50gb game to download? Would you even risk it, seeing how it might overheat and die due to microsoft's poor hardware quality?

These are all questions that need to be answered.

lol. Would be great if someone tried to answer (give opinion, rather) all or most of them.

[tehReaper]

Where will they go? To the moon and back. Microsoft knows what they're doing now.

When the 360 is at it's prime, 720 will come. Microsoft isn't going to back down.

They are making plenty of profit. Live ring a bell? Of course they will.

Depending on Microsoft's choices, and where they take gaming with the new console, Sony may have to release another before the 10th year. I just don't think Sony can keep up the hardware against new technology years from now.

Of course they will include a huge hard drive in the next console. If Microsoft is interested in pushing DD, they NEED big hard drives. Downloads will be more efficient in the coming years. There are improvements every day.

If you think for a second Microsoft won't change their hardware designs, you're crazy. They'll make sure they get it right next time. They can't afford to have another RROD type problem. Expect every precaution to be taken.

There, my opinions.

[Horny Melon]

you can copyright a story about a detective but you cannot copyright detective stories.

Epic did steal the idea, though it's not illegal it is poor form. How much would it have killed them to give this guy props in the media, a couple grand, a 360 signed by everybody on the team, and a copy of the game. Maybe bring him on board temporarily to tweak his own map and give him a shot at a job.

[dan-boy]

yep i have to agree with you mate. it is a poor show from epic. and they undoutably stole his idea.

[RealTimeWeaponChange]

HahahaHAHahhaa, and u droids thought we wouldn't get user mods LOLOL!!!!!!!!!! oh come on, that was funny. admit it.

and really, boohooo. a cargo ship in the arctic. Wow. I guess UBI stole this map from him two years ago for SC:Double Agent too right? get real.

[heavyarms]

I say these maps were stolen. There is no denying it.

[Lumbo]

If you where a lawyer, you would be a broke unemployed lawyer -_-

The mappers working at Epic Games build their BSP and Grids completely inhouse. They could only have "stolen" his map when the BSP layout would fit perfectly, but it does not.

Bottomline two people have an idea that is somewhat related and build a level out of a REAL WORLD OBJECT, you end up with to maps looking alike only insofar as a Ship looks alike a ship ... Or are you telling us that Toyota stole mercedes cars on the ground that both build CARS wich BOTH have 4 wheels and a steering wheel, and a gas pedal, and a brake, and seats !!! imagine that, both have seats !!! ...

[tehReaper]

Droids spin anything to cover up their fear of Gears 2. The real judgment day is in November 2008. And no, R2 isn't the game that will contribute to it. It'll be the game that falls.

[UziSuicide]

They would have been very aware of ArticShipment, it's been page 1 of the release forums for a long time. They may not have stolen the map but they certainly were heavily influenced by it.

Epic are dirty with the UT3 era, they've been so with this, their moderation of the forums (which is the worst I've ever encountered), Mark rein and his endless spin of pre release fantasy features, failure to adequately finish a released game, slow and pathetic after release support.

Epic used to rock, but since all the licensing they've gained from the UT2/2.5 engine they seem to have totally forgotten why they are where they are.

As for the poster spamming, I doubt it. He would have been banned because he brought up a touchy subject. They wouldn't want the bad press, simple as that. Bring back Cliffy B to UT and throw the politician Mark Rein out to go work on web based games or something.

[xboxftw]

Droids go back to playing your MGS online beta. Oh right its not working. How about demo of iron man? no, ok so last year you got KZ2 and LBP? Damn u guys are tough to please.

[BrianC6234]

At least we have a console that works so we can go back to playing GT5 Prologue or anything else. Your Xbox 1.5 is garbage and most likely in the shop getting repaired. Again.

[Massive-Delusion]

Does anyone else think that that was pretty dire grammar? Oh, and it's "due" not "do"...I'm just picky, that's all...

[SL1M DADDY]

I like the first set of pics better. Looks like Epic's map is ok but not as good as the modders.

[RAM MAGNUMS]

I ve said it before!

I Know that if I made a Mod, Map Or Mutator & its on xbox live. Im getting paid for it because Xbox live is a subcription to play online!
People are buying the Gold membership to download my user created map even if the download is FREE!

So Instead Epic is Gonna RIP my User created content and Stamp it EPIC so they can scratch a littel money from the NumbSkull Gamers at xbox 360?!?

Thats what Happens when you are on Top and everyone wants to be the best, You start to Lie, cheat & Steal to stay on Top.

[JokesOnYou]

Well its hard to say that someone stole YOUR mod whenever you're talking about MODS in general because quite simply all you have to do is take anyones original design and change a few details, then it becomes YOUR mod, sure its a ripoff of the original guys idea but NOW that YOU altered it, it becomes a seperate mod, so assuming thats the case it would be pretty hard to sue Epic for something that "looks like" your mod, then if all else fails I'm sure Epic has a loophole in fine print that allows them to "steal" user created maps when you use their tools, lmfao

JOY

[BrianC6234]

I'm surprised nobody noticed this part of this story:

"A recent story has popped up about a user created map on UTIII suppository"

You know what a suppository is? I think maybe they meant repository. At least I hope so.

[chasuk08]

Come off it, they are basically identical, theres is no way this is a co-incidence. If epic really wanted to use his map they could of at least have the decency to contact him and ask for permission. Epic would expect the same, if someone copied their map, so why are they so special.