Activision, Inc., a leading developer, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment software products, today announced that it has filed a breach of contract suit against Viacom. …through its actions and inactions, Viacom has let the once proud Star Trek franchise stagnate and decay. Viacom has released only one “Star Trek” movie since entering into agreement with Activision and has recently informed Activision it has no current plans for further “Star Trek” films. Viacom also has allowed two “Star Trek” television series to go off the air and the remaining series suffers from weak ratings. Viacom also frustrated Activision’s efforts to coordinate the development and marketing of its games with Viacom’s development and marketing of its new movies and television series.
(via Lane)
My first response? It’s about damn time! Trek has been going steadily downhill for quite a while now — I’m less than impressed with Enterprise, I’m being told to forego purchasing Voyager, and there hasn’t been a truly good Trek movie since Star Trek VI (First Contact came the closest, but I’ve got some definite issues with it, too). Whether it’s the fault of Viacom, Paramount, or the people writing and controlling the franchise, the fact is that it’s nowhere near where it was — nor where it likely could be.
However, that said — this seems pretty frivolous. Is it really Viacom’s purported mismanagement of the Trek franchise that is causing problems for ActiVision and their Trek-themed games? Or is it that the games themselves aren’t all that good to begin with? I’m not a gamer myself, and have neither seen nor played a Star Trek themed computer game since NetTrek, so I’m not at all in a position to judge the games. I just question whether the downward slide of the Trek franchise is enough of a contributor to ActiVision’s lack of sales to support a breach of contract suit. I’m sure it was one factor, but that much of a deciding factor? I’m not sure.
To anyone in the franchise, while I think a lawsuit may be a little extreme, Activisions concern does have
creedance. Paramount, and Viacom in particular have, to put it in one “Trek” producers words ” gone to the well well
well once too often”. Writing and timing I think play a critical role in the further success of the series.
(Not forgetting actors, and thier apparent inability to emerse themselves into a role). While Shatner has
been critiqued as the “overactor” by his hollywood peers, the writing nonetheless helped viewers palate
Shatners supposed overacting simply by saying to themselves that was “Capt. Kirks mannerisms”.
thier jobs just a little while longer). That is just the series, movies on the other hand have seen every
attempt of getting fans, and others into the theaters to sell the tickets and make the money. Viacom
forgot fans have always been the lifeblood of the franchise, and as regulars they have a tendancy to get
wise. Cameos by past cast members, going back and trying to resell old themes and plotlines are a few signs
that the series is failing. “Trek” movies can be tested against what I call the “Wrath of Khan” movie test.
Named after of course “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” which in my opinon was the franchises finest hour.
a story of the most intense revenge. (Sorry “Contact” and “Nemesis” did not even come close,
and I don’t think it was any fault of a tenured shakespearian actor like Patrick Stewart).
I think executives need to take a look, hire some new writers, and spend the money for better actors if
the series has any hope of surviving.
It is laughable how the Trek fans today feel they have a right to “bite the hand that feeds them ” Trekwise with their shallow criticism. It is also laughable how the same fans feel they are studio heads and producers who know all about the hollywood business scene without leaving their parents cellar apartments [get a life!]. Is it laughable how these same Trek fans are the first ones to to pirate anything Star Trek on Ebay or off the Internet by illegally downloading copyrighted, licensed and trademaked Star Trek items and supply a myriad of sham excuses or rationalizations when they are sued by the orginal owners. Piracy is theft, plain and simple. Copyrights protect the hard work and sweat of artists from thieves. I say get them all in court and let justice prevail!
Hi
this is ahmed from paris,few days ago i bought a game doom3 but unluckily i hae lost the booklet it has,so now i can not istal it without that booklet,so please kindly email me those digits it has on the back side of the booklet
i would much appriciate
with regards
ahmed paris