Evony Threatens To Sue Over 'Defamatory' Articles
August 27, 2009 4:00 PM | Eric Caoili
British video games marketer Bruce Everiss has enjoyed much attention lately for his criticisms of UMGE (United Multiplayer Gaming Entertainment), the developer behind browser-based MMO Evony.
In addition to critizing the game's online ads for displaying scantily clad women, Everiss has accused UMGE of a number of other more allegations that can be read on his website.
Everiss's attacks have attracted attention from more than just gamers fascinated by Evony's ads and alleged practices; Warren McKeon Dickson Lawyers, an Australian law firm representing UMGE, sent notice that it would sue the marketer for damages and defamation unless he removed the articles from his site, published a form apology, and offered to "pay compensation for loss suffered by Evony."
UK newspaper The Guardian has also put a note in its online posting "Has Evony become the most despised game on the web?" posted last July, disclosing that its article is also "the subject of a legal complaint from Evony LLC".
While it seems odd that a company based in China would hire an Australian firm to file suit against a British writer and newspaper for defamation, Everiss speculates that libel can be considered committed in any region where his blog is read, including Australia. He claims:
"By using an Australian solicitor, Evony make it very difficult for me to defend myself. I have to fly myself and my legal team halfway round the world for every hearing and bringing witnesses in would be extremely expensive.
Also Australia has a very old fashioned libel law where the person who thinks they are libeled doesn’t have to prove anything. They can make all the accusations they want and the onus is on me to bring evidence to disprove every one. This is why Warren McKeon Dickson have listed so many silly and obvious things which everyone knows aren’t libel in their letter."
While the games industry marketer admits that he likely could not afford to defend this potential libel case in court, he insists that his criticisms were fair and says backing down in the face of "the expensive steamroller of the Australian legal system" would be "a blow for human freedom".
Everiss says his only hope is to rely on "the Streisand effect", in which someone's attempt to censor or suppress information/media backfires, bringing more attention to the subject. He believes increased negative publicity toward UMGE, Evony, and Warren McKeon Dickson will somehow help his cause.
You can read Warren McKeon Dickson's full notice, which lists a total of 35 defamatory imputations against Evony, on Everiss's site.
[UPDATE: Everiss has published another response from Warren McKeon Dickson in which the lawyer insists that Evony is "a small new business operating as an independent video game developer and publisher that has no wish to suppress fair criticism on the Internet." However, it repeats the claim that many of Everiss' statements are defamatory, and "recommends that you seek your own legal advice."]
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13 Comments
So should Jeff Atwood, the programmer who pointed out the massive ramp up in sleaziness of the Evony ads, be getting worried? Or do they feel that actually presenting the evidence of how Evony went from advertising a free game, to posting a picture of cleavage with a smattering of text under it, can't be construed as libel?
Merus | August 27, 2009 7:33 PM
We have out own parody here, hope they don't get upset at us too :P
http://toblender.com/comic/?p=438
Danny | August 28, 2009 7:38 AM
Uh... what's wrong with cleavage? I think someone should bring the ancient Egyptian fashion sense back.
IHeartBoobies | August 28, 2009 10:36 AM
"Everiss says his only hope is to rely on "getting more blog hits""
;)
RobF | August 28, 2009 3:47 PM
willys
buttman | August 29, 2009 8:56 PM
Can't believe it. Bruce never even came out to say they did anything. It's all his opinion. Evony is STUPID for doing this and has just lost the respect of EvonyMasters.com's entire staff.
EVONY is the one who needs to issue an apology. They are falling in traffic ranking and panicking- nothing more.
WEAK SAUCE EVONY!
Evony | August 31, 2009 4:50 PM
I can only add one thing: anyone can register on Evony Forums and read it up: the players constantly write that they receive no customer support in the game, even when they lose actual money from their accounts or lose access to the game for days because of bugs. You will also find that players who report losing money eventually get banned by forum moderators without any explanation. The postings are there - read it and make your own conclusions. Go Bruce!
WT | September 10, 2009 3:26 PM
The game is an unmanagable game. I played it for 3 months and found it impossible to manage, even though I was one of the top players on my server. Many people have left the game since it requires an insane amount of farming. Support is non existent. Cheaters who exploit weaknesses in the game design are not removed. Overall I expect this game to dissapear. I paid some money for the game and even though I don't regret doing so as I have played the game a bit and certainly got value out of it, the constant game logic changes and inability to service western customers will make this game a thing of the past very soon.
Andy | September 10, 2009 4:58 PM
The game is a joke. I've had more fun watching grass grow.
Jim | September 16, 2009 7:04 AM
Its a tough game for sure. takes a bit of getting used to.
Robert Smith | December 20, 2010 12:30 PM
Evony is what it is. Marketing that sucks players in and makes them spend money. Its a great game when you know how to play it.
Arowana Fish | January 3, 2011 9:37 AM
I have played evony for a while and i agree that its a tough game. I just dont know what Bruce is thinking here.
Pomegranate Health Benefits | March 13, 2011 4:26 AM
I'm not sure if it's me but it seems like the site's layout is a little messed up. it might be my version of IE though. anyway sweet website. thank you Omar Yasseen
Omar Yasseen | August 26, 2011 2:12 PM