DMCA violation notice

Nope not cancelled. We are just not allowed to host it on Patreon, so we started a new project for Patreon. This Thursday we are having a big meeting in regards to where and when we will finish it, and how much needs to be done to finish it. We are hoping to have a firmed out action plan at the end of February. All details will be shared on the Bi-weekly webshow - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

So, the Injustice game is cancelled, right? :(

Dralycan

Yes the plan is to release them, along with any old pictures. I'm still undecided as to what to do with the Hi-Res stuff - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

With regards to all the artwork, the Korra pieces and the various fanart Sunset has posted here... will they be released on Sunset's HF or Tumblr? It'd be sad to hear that they'll be gone forever if we didn't download and save it before hand.

chipsiup

Sorry for not responding Zwia. Thank you for this we appreciate it. It sucks but at least now if we get the new project moving forward we can devote time and resources to the re-skinning of Injustice. It will just take time that is all. Dinker I touched on this in the new post I released today. -SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Sorry for the late response. If we go this route we both feel that we owe you guys a decent product. By just simply going and and changing stuff will result in a mess. If we go this route we would like to plan things out and make a presentable solution. Just as of right now we don't want to not have anything running for a month or two. The time is right to flush out our new plan and move forward. -SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

yup I hear ya. We literally had a meeting the day before planning out the next six months. -SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Well this is one hell of a way to start the new year

Andrew Chu

Hey guys, big fan of the work you do, especially injustice. Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't it be enough to please patreon if you kept the Injustice established code, change some hair colors and names and what not to original characters, and release it under a different title? All of the work would be yours, which is what they asked for. ...and, if there were say, a patch released by a third party after the release of the game that turned all of your original characters into DC characters, I'm sure patreon couldn't object to that either, since it'd be done by a "third party." But I'm just talking...

Agamemnon

I will touch on this when I finish our response which will post in a few hours - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

so then sometime later you will return?

tard

Thanks for the help DaScoot its just Patreon has warned us about posting content that isn't 100% owned by us. In a few hours I will be posting our response and what is to come - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

For now - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

hmm wel my eglish isnt good so you stop working on injustice? am i right?

tard

Other thought I had; while filling in the game with OC characters, perhaps the game could also be set up for modding in additional/alternate characters as well? I'm sure inventive users could find or create their own characters as they like, especially if some OC art was available as templates, and you guys wouldn't need to worry about responsibility. From what we've seen it seems like it'd mostly just be a matter of reading in some alternate images and text, not too much for users to come up with. Prediction: First character to be modded in will be the Invisible Woman.

DaScoot

First of all would want to apologize for misspelling is this message, I use google to translate it from my native language. I read what happened and I have an idea that could be very interesting, change the setting of DC to Marvel. Almost all the roles could be maintained if it settles down for the initiative of the fifty states. Norman Osborn would Lex Luthor. The villains who could provide them hired Hood. Part of the magic Satana would control. The local stripteasse I could be the Hellfire Club. I think it could be a great hambientación. I hope I was helpful :)

Elgrangato82

What are the chances that you'll continue to produce artwork and games on Patreon here but that Injustice at least might be released as an 'outside' project? Or that the game's source and assets might be released so if fans wanted to they could finish it on their own independently of you?

Dinker

::hug:: You guys still kick ass and will get through this. I know I for one will stick by y’all and see what you have planned next. You’ve done more than enough to earn that loyalty as far as I’m concerned. Having said that, there has got to be some sort of loophole for you guys as far as Injustice is concerned. (I mean, yeah, I’m gonna miss all the epic Young Justice art, but I’m also happy and content that we were able to get what we got. Injustice, though, I mean the alpha so far stops all the story threads right when each of them are about to get reeeeeally good! It’s killing me!) I know you’re putting it off until you figure out something to do in the meantime with the Patreon, and I totally get why that is a super priority for y’all right now, but please, don’t give up on it. The game is such magic. I mean, can’t you guys still keep up with Patreon’s rules and maybe just work on Injustice as like… a hobby? And hell… maybe just somehow it pops up online somewhere else some day… that would certainly be a crazy random happenstance. And if you do choose to scrap it, (please don’t), if there was any way to release all the ideas at least, that would be awesome. Like, yeah, I want to see every piece of art you have that hasn’t made it in yet. Of course! (Y’all made me really dig Roulette way too much, and like no one else EVER draws her.) But I think I would more like to know what your plans were. Who were the other heroines? What type of things would we have been able to eventually do? What characters would we have been able to summon? Who would the last room at Lex’s base thing go to? Who was gonna run the Meta-Bordello? These questions are gonna haunt some of us, I’m telling you. Anyway, this sucks guys, but keep your heads up. I know you’re gonna get a lot of pressure about Injustice too, but really, do what you guys feel is in your own best interest. You’re just getting pressure because it was SO DAMN GOOD, but by no means does that mean you have to risk anything over it. Y’all got a fanbase that will stick by ya, even if you just stick to doing OC, and these bumps in the road are life’s way of testing ya and pushing ya to bigger, better things. Keep kicking ass! I look forward to hearing your update on your new direction.

Zwia Zwia

Clark I guarantee you will be back. See you soon (I completely understand). If its any consolation I would stick around for the month (billing happens on the 1st of Feb) so if you don't like where we are going you can just remove your pledge at the end of the month. This way you get to see first hand where we go. Just a suggestion - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

One of the most significant bummers of my entire life. Sorry to say I'll have to remove my pledge, I'll keep up with you though to see what's next.

We are very disappointed also. There will be an update tomorrow with details of our new direction - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

This is sooooooooo very disappointing! This was something I was very much looking forward to and now it will be a long wait for another project to come down the pipe. Really hope there will be a way around this for Injustice later on.

Nicholas

Injustice is going on the shelf for now. I will provide more details tomorrow with an official post - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

¨So what is going to happend to Injustice?

Drazhoath

Sorry some how I missed your comment. We are following Patrons requests. If we were to have another platform for funding we may have been in a different situation. As of now I just want all our fans to be patient all details will be fully announced within a weeks time. We just need to sort out our ideas. I will be making an announcement tomorrow - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Thank you for your support. I'm sure you will really like what we have in mind - please be patient as we will be providing more details tomorrow - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I was hoping to ask is there anything that we, the fans and patrons, can do to help.

Wolfregis

Wow, that's a blow :( Like a lot of people, Although I knew Sunset's work before, I came here primarily because of Injustice. I'm really not sure I want stand-ins, Injustice was an advanced project. I really hope you can continue it under another plateform/website... Good luck anyway

ennetsu

Thank you Angelo - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Well this is disappointing. The DC content was definitely my favorite. Never got the Hawkgirl/Green Lantern picture I was hoping for. I'll admit I didn't really become a patron for the original content but I'll stick around to see what you guys come up with.

Angelo

He received it from Patreon too instead from a direct representative of WB, I think. He announced the notice before his game release. Now it just angers me thinking someone might've reported your work here. I hope discussion goes well for you guys, it would be sad to see such a unique adult game gone with the comic unverse.

Hellomellowyellow

Just got off a call with Sunset and the guy was up all night working on a comprehensive plan. I will have more details tomorrow - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

As much as I love the DCAU, the scenario was what interested me as much as anything else (in general I'm more of a Marvel fan anyways). As I'm sure any ex-City of Heroes player could tell you, it's not too difficult for a creative mind to come up with plenty of superhero/villain ideas with just a touch of inspiration from existing sources.

DaScoot

It's not WB that contacted us. WB contacted Patreon and we are following what Patreon has set forth for us. If we don't comply we will be permanently removed. That being said we want to make sure we have a project going on this platform (as your support is what keeps us going). After we have our Patreon in order we will look to possible action with Injustice. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

There must be some kind of workaround. Akabur, an artist here, has received a takedown notice for his unreleased game Hermione Trainer from Warner Brothers too a year ago. It seems like he manage to avoid it by just simply renaming the title of the game to Witch Trainer, all in -game names are still the same on release. I am not sure how he is doing with his Disney content.

Hellomellowyellow

Thanks Red. We are currently considering all options. Injustice at this point will be shelved for now - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I'm chiming in a bit late into this discussion but I feel the only alternative would be to get your own platform, the website you guys were planning, up and running to launch the game off of. I could be wrong or just repeating something you heardbut since its patreon who got the C&D not you you could pull it off. Keep us updated brodies

Wonder Red

It was all WB properties and DC stuff yes. Patreon has been awesome during this. They could have just removed our page no questions asked. Although we are shedding patrons now we feel we will rebound pretty strong next month - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Thats good.So as long as theirs no dc stuff your good?

Jake theberge

Just heard back from Patreon and WB seem satisfied with the steps that are being taken - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I completely understand. I urge anyone to be patient over the next few days as we will be more details - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

No rush. Take your time so that you avoid any legal wrath.

Jake theberge

More news to come in the following days regarding what we are going to do - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

At least I know you guys are fine and doing well despite this unfortunate situation.

TofuCats

Its a shame i was really looking forward to this. Orginal artwork would be good but parodies are what im here for.

DaApocalypse

What about The Rogue comic? Will it continue on HF? Its a shame your cutting into WB's porn profits..... wait they don't have any? Huh. Weird. Personally I follow your art for the charaters maybe 25% of the time. I never watched Young justice, Korra(a little bit) Xmen evolution (I'm an Xmen fan so who cares?). So I'll support new original work 100%.

Jake theberge

Why the hell are they going after this of all things? I mean games like this technically already exist using the same characters mind you, so why are they raising nine kinds of hell over it?

Wolfregis

Thank you Jethro! We will be considering all possibilities. An announcement will be coming in the next 7 days - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Doesn't seem completely catastrophic. Re-name and re-design existing locations and characters until they are distanced from their original WB counterparts; continue using the scenario and game assets as is after the alterations are done. The city could be any fantasy city - Metropolis becomes Excelsior City, Suicide Slums becomes Murder Bay, STAR Labs becomes PRISM Tower, the Daily Planet becomes The Excelsior Enquirer etc... - just change the artwork enough to no longer be recognisable as a copyrighted property. Get rid of Lex Luthor by turning him into just a black silhouette and change his name to "Boss" or somesuch. Mercy Graves becomes Darcy Tombs by keeping the butler/chauffeur theme, changing the outfit details and colour, give her a skirt instead of trousers, change the skin tone to tanned, lengthen the hair and change the colour to pink - a completely new character. You can even build this in as part of the game's introduction: Darcy says "Are you alright Boss? Did something happen? I feel weird, has something changed?" Whereupon the player's Boss character handwaves it and reassures her that everything is as it's always been and it'll all work out fine... Best of luck with whatever you decide to go forward with.

TurnipFactory

Thank you so much PG! We pride ourselves on being transparent and honest. I mean 12 hrs after receiving the email we notified everyone! We don't want to hide and cause panic and distrust. In the end we can position ourselves very well for the future if we handle this carefully. I promise news will be coming forward in the next week for certain. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Well, frankly it sounds like you guys learned a lot building Injustice anyways. This feels like an excellent opportunity to build a game with compelling characters and a universe all your own. Also this is one of the best handled patreon pages I've backed, so keep at it.

Vernacular Ham

Thank you so much Xip - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Though news games. A big shame. The game had lots of potentional. Probably still does with Standins as suggestion below. But making new content with your own chars will probably be the best idea. It's gives you the freedom what to do. From a programmer side you can always reuse the code, just change the mechanics as your want them. Still a shame. Thanks for your efforts till this point. I wish you the best in continuing with your own art and games. Cheers Xip

Xipomus

Tofu I can assure you we will continue to bring awesome content. Just not anything we could be infringing upon (here at least) - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I feel the exact same way. We just have to be very careful on this platform. Our main focus will be to get Patreon organized and have a real project associated with it. With our own content, what happens with Injustice and any other content is still up in the air. More info will be released in the coming days. Many conversations need to be had on our end to come up with a revised plan for development and release schedules. I'm hopeful that by early next week we can have something that will keep all our Patrons excited. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Well I am saddened by the this for so many reasons, but things happen and other things can happen. All I can suggest is that "technically" this DMCA is only limited to Patreon, a crowdfunding website. So "technically" things can still be released on other 2nd or even 3rd party websites (it's porn so one way or another it will get out). I'm not saying that releasing legally owned things (no matter the parody) is right or wrong but "copyright" and "fair use" can be questioned by countries by their internet laws and the host of the website responding to it. I'm just suggesting not to scrap something that was put so much work into them.

Valicore

This makes me so sad :( I was looking forward to all the updates :*( like every week.

TofuCats

Thank you so much Jaroslav, when I speak to Sunset shortly I will mention all the community suggestions to him - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

We don't possess or have the resources to make such an argument , sorry - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

But anyway, you've been awesome, guys, and I believe you'll turn this around and into something even cooler.

Chris Simon

Would this be under parodies?

TofuCats

That sucks. :/ Couldn't you just replace the heroines and realia by your OCs and continue on the game's structure as it is?

Chris Simon

I really want to make sure that we can be maybe the example and not the norm. I would hate to see the hammer being dropped on many great creators. Either way we will be in a much better position once the fire dies and we can move forward - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Thank you so much Kenny - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

My sympathies to you both. :(

Krivvin Bailey

I like beish's idea, and release the other art on HF

Blackchip

Thank you so much. I can't wait either - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I'm so sorry, we were hoping to avoid any of this while being able to transition seamlessly to original content. Thank you for your support and I hope that whatever we bring forward you will enjoy - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

We have be explicitly warned by Patreon that any further release of non owned content could result in a permanent removal of our page - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Thank you so much your support means so much to us. We will strive to continue bring awesome content forward. If anything comes of this I hope we open up more access to you guys and community, more details will be coming in the next few days - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Tell me about it - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

The quality will always be a main focus of what we do. I appreciate your support - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I'm not certain the ramifications this may have on the entire Patreon community, only time will tell - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Sorry I figured it was a DMCA violation, the message from the trust team at Patreon had it the other way around I will edit the post to reflect it - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I hope you guys dont give up without a fight, I think this game can really earn his trouble back with no problem at all (when finished) :) Plus there are others on Patreon that has a older account with sometimes more subscribers that does the same (example: Akabur, Tracy Scops, etc.)

MrToon

#like that one dude that makes porn games around Harry Potter and Disney characters

MrToon

Just for clarity, are you talking about a DCMA violation, or a DMCA violation? I tried googling DCMA and just kept getting results for the DMCA.

Smiling_Jack

So are they going after all the other people doing similar things too? Or are they just being dicks to you? Because I for sure know that there are PLENTY of people doing things with characters that are not theirs and for them to pick one random patreon that probably makes as much money in a month as they do in an hour or less is pretty retarded.

geos_omega

Though the characters were admittedly my primary reason for being a patron (and I hope they can still continue somewhere without the monetary aspect (so the lawyers leave you alone) whilst drumming up support for any original content), I'll definitely continue to support any original content from you guys so long as it's of the same high quality.

Damn Quixote

Damn. That's a bummer.

Krivvin Bailey

Wow this just came out of nowhere and it's sad to hear this because I really wanted to see how injustice would be fully competed (like everyone else of course). I'm so sorry to hear all this, I'm trying to get into drawing myself so I have a bit of an understanding as to how much hard work must be put in order to make art like the one Sunsetrider does. With that being said, I'm going to look forward to the original content that you guys will put out. As long as the art is good just remember you will always have my (and the rest of us ) support.

Mac-Man

I guess if you have 48 hours (or however long is left) you could use it to release the game it its current state, then remove everything a day later. Let people circulate what's left of the game and the art on their own without any input from you.

iamnuff

trying to make money using copywrited characters was always a risk. That's not to say you couldn't still create/release the game, if you stopped using patreon for it, but frankly it's probably safer to go with espies. If you decide to make porn-game content with original characters (who happen to be superheroes) I imagine you'd get the same amount of fans. That said, it's kinda sad that this happened immediately after i pledged.

iamnuff

sorry to hear about the ban powered by dicks.I will admit that i came for the characters, but i really stayed for the art. Sunset's art skills are great. i am going to be alittle sad about Injustice "dying" on us, but this give Sunset a blank canvas to show us his abilities without being restricted to the forms of DC characters. I know he could copy and emulate the style of great artists.Now i want to see what comes out when he is given a blank space and a sexy brush. Good Luck and Godspeed

Wanderer

At this point I cannot say (that is up to Sunset), we will keep you and everyone very informed over the next week - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I'm taking lunch for the next hour and will be up after to answer an further questions - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Goddammit, I'm sorry for you guys, you put out top quality work. Is Rogue Lust being scrapped as well?

Damn Quixote

Thank you we will be considering all options - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

At this point we have had a 1 hour conversation, and are scheduled to talk again in a couple hours. At this point all alternatives are being considered. I will be informing Sunset of all suggestions the community brings up. I can't really say at this point what is going to happen, we have just been given very specific instructions from Patreon as to what we have to do - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I am sorry that this is happening to you guys (I seriously love you). I also sincerely hope that this isn't the end for this game as I (and I'm sure you) were looking forward to this game with great anticipation. The DMCA hammer hits hard but the terms are removing copyrighted material ONLY from Patreon. I'm sure you could release the game and other copyrighted materials on HF while still funding it and other projects (i.e. pictures, games, etc.) with Patreon. As long as you are not directly profiting from said copyrighted materials on Patreon directly I'm sure you're fine. WB has always been a company that likes to throw DMCA's wherever they can Youtube being a classic example. They do it because they are big and you are small. If they and other companies tried to get all of the parody porn (which I would guess constitutes probably half of all porn) they would be in for a much harder fight. Again, I reiterate release your stuff on HF

Thursday

Hope someone whispers this to my ear privately...=P

Animeplayer

Cant you change the title to "Injustice XXX"? Like so many other porn parody's hitting the commercial market, containing all the WB characters (example: "Avengers vs. X-men XXX", "Batman V Superman", "She-Hulk XXX", etc). It would be a shame to see it go seeing this game is probably the best thing compared to the other xxx games :(

MrToon

I know for a fact that the build was leaked within an hour of release, so it is out there somewhere. -SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

As long the build is still around and images don't become taboo and gone forever, that's the way to re-assure everyone.

Animeplayer

At this point our direction is still undecided (it has only been 12 hrs since the DCMA notice). At this point that falls in Sunsets area and we have yet to talk since 1:00am yesterday. I will be having long and regular conversations with him over the next several days as we come up with a concrete plan. Either way I want to thank you for your support thus far. We will have good stuff I promise. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Are you guy's going to temake this game with OC in it. Still even if you can't use superherous form DC the idea of the game a super villan who make suoerheroines do stuff like that is still awesome and I would like to what you guy's can come up with to fill the gaps.

G_man12

Thank you for the suggestion Walter. Sunset and myself will be discussing all possibilities in the coming days - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Ya they wouldn't go for it I can assure you that - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

I'm very sorry to hear this. I hope you consider instead of totally scratching the game completely to turn the characters into stand-ins. I mean, there are countless versions of pseudo-Batmans and pseudo-Wonder Woman on the net in every conceivable form. That might require adding a beard here and there, changing some colours and symbols, but should be better than losing all the work you've done so far.

Walter L.

If we wanted to pursue this the next step is federal court. With that being said we intend to comply 100% with the DMCA and Patreons requests - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

The problem is probably that it's a game they are doing.

Walter L.

Aren't you guys protected under the "Fair use" law, just like all those porn "parodies"?

Smallpox

Is there no way to make a deal with WB to make use of their characters. I know it is probably not possible don't think WB like to see their characters in this way.

G_man12

Thank you so much. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Most of this has found its way onto other sites. Try Ehentai. Its an alternative for the time being.

Jake theberge

I'm sorry at this point we are forced in a direction we had not planned on acting on for another 15 months. There will be more news to come in the next few days. Although continuing to release Injustice is not a possibility -SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Sorry to see you guys getting hit with the Copy Right bat :( It happens eventually to everyone. Sunset is an awesome artist and I love his work, so no matter what happens or what content he puts out, I intend to stay a patron as long as you guys are on Patreon. I also know you guys post work on other sites ;) so it might not be the entire end. You guys stay strong and don't worry, things always work out some way in the end :)

Crowsims

I completely understand. At this point we are still figuring things out. Although continuing with WB properties seems highly unlikely. - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Is there no way you could upload the version of injustice on some othere site? It is like 80% of the reason why I support you guy's.

G_man12

As much as i love OC, i joined to see some of my favorite super heroines and the game, especially since the art style is the same. I'll stick around of course in hopes some characters may be similar. Also isn't the only reason the lawsuit there because you are getting paid right? Since there is TONS of DC stuff out there, could you get paid for OC and then do the DC stuff on the side for "free"? (not sure that at all will make a difference, just a thought.)

lol I has been hard to smile in the last 12 hours, this made me smile thank you - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Our hands are tied I'm so sorry. Although we do have many Patrons I'm sure if you mentioned something somewhere else someone might have what you looking for wink wink.

Gunsmoke Games

On the one hand I can see WB not wanting people profiting off of their characters. But on the other hand, what a bunch of dicks.

Zeus

By end of today?! No one will have the time to back up these images and work! If we can't have them on Patreon, fine, we remove, but we should have them elsewhere at least for people to access.

Animeplayer

Thank you. Sunset is extremely confident he can have some pretty cool original content by the end of January. If we released any more non owned content Patreon could then shut us down completely, also we would risk a permanent ban, and not to mention a potential lawsuit from WB.. Sorry :( - SmokeShank

Gunsmoke Games

Thank you, It really allows us to go much further in the end.

Gunsmoke Games

All WB materials will most likely be down by end of business today. As for all other content it will be down my end of business on Friday. Sunset and myself want to make the transition as easy as possible, I do apologize - Smokeshank

Gunsmoke Games

Im a fan of original content too, but maybe we can get a quick final build of whatever atate injustice is in before it gets shut down?

Vernacular Ham

At this point we are still working to figure everything out on our end - Smokeshank

Gunsmoke Games

I do like the idea of original content.

Jake theberge

Now this blows completely! Is there anyway we can archive everything that was done so far for Patreon so nothing will be lost? People will be furious if they can't access it anymore.

Animeplayer

That sucks. Is their anyway you can release injustice other than patreon? I assume that you got the notice cus your "profiting" from the dc stuff and what ever else is owned by warner bros.

Jake theberge