The streaming giant Netflix has what feels like an endless selection of films and series. And new titles are constantly being published, including next December. The first part of the science fiction epic “Rebel Moon” from director Zack Snyder is scheduled to arrive at the end of the year. However, Netflix is now being sued because of this film.
Actually, a tabletop RPG was also supposed to be released when the film “Rebel Moon” was released on Netflix. To do this, Netflix commissioned the company Evil Genius Games, which had already started developing the game. Shortly before completion, Netflix canceled the project. The reason given: Evil Genius Games violated contract details. The studio denies this and is now suing Netflix. TECHBOOK explains the background and assesses the situation.
Netflix terminates contract with Evil Genius Games
At the beginning of 2023, Netflix and Evil Genius Games agreed to work together to bring a board game onto the market. The template was the sci-fi film “Rebel Moon” by Zack Snyder. Although the collaboration was initially very successful, Netflix terminated the contract in May of this year, even though the tabletop RPG was almost finished. Netflix’s justification was that the game manufacturer had violated the confidentiality provisions in the agreed contract.
Among other things, Evil Genius Games would have shown material from the “Rebel Moon” film, including some concept images, at an industry trade fair, the Gama Expo. The studio doesn’t deny this, but makes it clear that this would have been discussed with Netflix beforehand. The streaming giant would have approved and documented this months earlier.
What’s particularly bizarre is that, according to Evil Genius Games, it was also a joint presentation with Netflix. There would have been plenty of opportunities for the streaming service to intervene and prevent the material from being shown.
Streaming giant claims works for itself
Evil Genius Games continues: “By May, we had created a 228-page World Bible (which significantly expanded the universe presented by Snyder), a 430-page Player’s Handbook, and a 337-page Game Master’s Handbook.” Extensive background work for a roundtable Creating RPGs of this scale is not uncommon. Such a World Bible usually contains information about various factions and inhabitants of the world being told, which also underpins the plot in terms of history and motifs.
In a letter from Netflix to the game manufacturer it is now said that all content created, including the World Bible, would belong to Netflix. In this context, the streaming company called on the game manufacturer to return all of Netflix’s licensed and intellectual property rights and not to distribute them any further. Evil Genius Games wants to take legal action against this.
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Lawsuit for Netflix over “Rebel Moon”
An agreement between the two parties failed. Netflix refuses to continue working with the game manufacturer. Evil Genius Games, in turn, did not want to accept the compensation amount of $50,000.
The manufacturer has now filed a lawsuit against Netflix. The accusation: breach of contract, theft of ideas and unjust enrichment. The termination of the contract in May had no legally legitimate basis. The lawsuit alleges that Netflix was just looking for an excuse to end the contract and gain sole rights to the extensive World Bible. The lawsuit against Netflix was posted online as a copy by Evil Genius Games.
Lawsuit harms Netflix
“In fact, in my opinion, in this case it almost doesn’t matter who wins in the end. With such a mammoth project like Rebel Moon, Netflix should do everything it can to build a positive reputation. Zack Snyder’s sci-fi epic is set to lay the foundation for an entire franchise on the streaming service. This requires additional material such as the planned roundtable game – but above all the approval of the fans. Either way, the lawsuit is doing enormous damage to Netflix.” – Marlene Polywka, editor