426 replies to this topic

[scream681]

Hello,

Some of you may know me, or at least have played my games. I was browsing google for Robbie Swifthand last night, when I stumbled across this interesting page:

http://games.softpedia.com/get/Shareware-Games/Hardy-Robbie-Swifthand-and-the-Orb-of-Mysteries.shtml

I remember softpedia uploaded Robbie, they mailed me with notice, but right before navigating out of the page I noticed something rather strange:

Developer: Hardy Creations Inc. | More from this developer

Genre / Price: Arcade / USD 15.95 buy button

From there on, it was a total mess, I found out there is an official page for this unbelievable scam (be careful some of his pages have viruses):

http://www.orbmysteries.elementfx.com/

I mean cmon, its not even funny, look at the credits on the site:

CREDITS / ABOUT!
PROGRAMMING, GRAPHICS, IDEA AND DESIGN BY:

MICHAEL HARDY

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

MY WIFE (STACIE HARDY), OUR KIDS
(ZOE & DYLAN),

MY MOTHER (SHER HARDY), MY UNCLE
(PAUL ELDRIDGE),

AND MY WIFE'S PARENTS
(ROBERT AND NORMA PLYMALE),

ADDITIONAL THANKS TO:

MICROSOFT CORP., NAMCO, ESRB, TAITO, ATARI AND EVERYBODY ELSE WHO SUPPORTED THIS PROJECT...

THIS GAME IS PROTECTED BY US COPYRIGHT LAWS AND INTERNATIONAL TREATIES... THIS GAME IS PATENT THROUGH THE US COPYRIGHT PATENT OFFICES AND INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENTS...

On top of that, I tried out the Trial version of "my game", thats where I was totally shocked:





The nerve! How low can someone be? Seriously, this is way beyond outrageous!


At first, I figured I should keep quiet and move legally against him, since he sells the game its possible to Trace him even if he is using fake info.

But after some research I found out that this guy has been ripping and re-releasing software as his own, for ages, and I'm not talking bout indie games, the guy has released games from ID software, this is ridiculous, how can he still be at large?

READ THIS for more detailed list about his achievements.

You should also check his games list on softpedia, in case you recognize any of them:

http://games.softpedia.com/progMoreBy/Publisher-Hardy-Creations-Inc-7622.html

I guess suing this guy is pointless, I'm not sure what can I do besides contacting his website host and PayPal about this fraud.

I hope this guy gets what he deserves one day.

Nick Larin.

Edited by scream681, 25 June 2010 - 02:26 PM.

[Kyon]

-

Edited by Kyon, 25 June 2010 - 02:56 PM.

[Carnivac]

That guy loves seeing his own name on screen, eh?

It's missing one credit though.

Thieving By: Michael Hardy

[Kyle_Solo]

Ouch, that's pretty blatant theft. You should probably talk to a lawyer.

I played that game! It's pretty sad to hear that someone other than you is profiting off of it.

Pre-edit post:

Spoiler

Ouch, that's pretty blatant theft. You should probably work with softpedia to get all his stuff removed from their site, and have them turn over his info to the relevant authorities. I'd call them, if possible, since they'll take that far more seriously than an email.

I played that game! It's pretty sad to hear that someone other than you is profiting off of it.

Edited by Kyle_Solo, 25 June 2010 - 06:02 PM.

[Carnivac]

Just read that blog link. Pretty disgraceful he's been doing that for so long and still doing it. I feel bad for those like yourself Nick who've had their work stolen and I feel bad for those who've been given money to this guy not realising they're being ripped off.

[King Tetiro]

That really sucks scream. You game is fantastic. Did you use the program that prevents decompiling?

[Samscam]

I find it so pathetic that he involves his wife and kids in this (if these persons really do exist).

[Pixeled Ninja]

Not just his wife. His wife's parent. Would suck to be them if that was real credits.

[FredFredrickson]

Wow, how utterly classless. You definitely should contact Softpedia, the ISP for his website, and the man himself.

I don't think threatening to sue the guy is pointless, though. If he's made any money from it at all, you are entitled to it, and since he obviously knows that what he did is wrong, you might be able to scare him if you send a strong enough notice to him.

[luenardi]

What a *******..

[Omega Metroid]

I'm curious, what version of Game Maker did you use to make this game?

[Pixeled Ninja]

According to his Original Robbie Swifthand post GM7.

Edited by Pixeled Ninja, 25 June 2010 - 03:30 PM.

[FredFredrickson]

Oh, by the way... look what I found. Michael Hardy's contact information (from the whois for hardycreations.com). I hope someone says "hi" to him for Nick, heh heh heh.

Administrative Contact:
Hardy, Michael
hardycreations@gmail.com
525 Fletcher RD
Leasburg, MO Leasburg
US
573-860-2519

[commander of games]

That guy is pathetic. The person who is in the special thanks should be YOU, not his stupid "wife and kids"(not saying he should have copied the game in the first place). People like that deserve either prison, or a very, very, very large fine. I honestly hope someone sues him for everything he has, and he becomes a poor hobo forced to live in a goddamn box!

[Phantom107]

This guy is pathetic. But I don't think there is much you can do about it, sueing is only going to hurt yourself financially.

People like that deserve either prison, or a very, very, very large fine. I honestly hope someone sues him for everything he has, and he becomes a poor hobo forced to live in a goddamn box!

Prison is only going to cost money in the form of taxes (bigtime), and if he has nothing left he'll turn stealing from people, which is also hurtful.
Either way, such lowlifes are going to cost money.

The only real solution is the death penalty enslavement.

Edited by Phantom107, 25 June 2010 - 04:14 PM.

[GearGOD]

This is actually beyond mere copyright infringement and can end in jail for the person responsible. I don't know how old you are, but before taking any action you should consult with a lawyer or have your parents do so, and attempt to get in touch with the original creators of some other titles to see what action can be taken. It'll obviously involve some legal fee overhead, but I'd easily expect the outcome to be in your favour should the matter go to court.

My first step would be talking to a lawyer about how to obtain this guy's real identity from their hosting provider.

[luenardi]

you could sue him.. or blackmail...

Edited by luenardi, 25 June 2010 - 04:32 PM.

[FredFredrickson]

or blackmail...

Trying to counter one highly illegal activity with another sounds like one of the worst ideas ever.

[thatshelby]

I remember reading about that game, what kind of prick does that?

This is part of the reason I am scared to sell my games. But you didn't even sell it, it was free! How cynical could some person be to bank off of a person who is desigining games just for the enjoyment of it?

EDIT: Looks like it should be titled Michael Hardy Swifthand.

Edited by Paper Cut Games, 25 June 2010 - 04:38 PM.

[luenardi]

or blackmail...

Trying to counter one highly illegal activity with another sounds like one of the worst ideas ever.

Thats true.. where would the world go if we all used mal "wrong" practice.