Previously, we wrote about how there was a legal argument over the future of the Star Control IP between Star Dock and Paul Reich II and Fred Ford (which is why the new game had to be temporarily taken off Steam an GOG). The latter two were the co-creators of Star Control in the 80s. Now, both on the Star Control forums, and on the Reich-Ford duo’s website, we can read that the parties have come to an agreement, which is why Paul Reich and Fred Ford will work on a new Star Control game together with Stardock (the new devs), which should be out by the end of 2019.

Reich has recently contacted Brad Wardell, the CEO of Stardock. However, he did not talk about the legal issue first! Let’s see what he wrote on his website… „So when we called Brad Wardell my first sentence was something like, “Before I start talking about settling our legal conflict, I’d like to talk about bees.” The conversation about bees, honey, mead, and bee stings went on for quite a while before we moved on to the talking about the case.” How on Earth did the bees get into the discussion? It’s simple: Reich has found a video uploaded to Wardell’s personal YouTube account, which involved bees…

„We added a section in which I’ll be working with Paul on beekeeping. He’s going to send me some meade, I’m going to send him some honey, I don’t think the lawyers were particularly enthusiastic about us incorporating some of this into the agreement. I did a tutorial video on beekeeping I was going to send over but got stung in the video, so thought better than to actually send it,” Wardell says.

„There is a weird paragraph in the agreement that involves bees. Seriously — no kidding. Brad Wardell is giving Fred and Paul honey from his hives and Paul is giving Brad some bottles of his homemade mead. Brad will also be giving Paul advice on how not to be stung. The lawyers thought this was pretty dang crazy. This goes to show you can find common ground in the strangest (and most delicious) of places,” Reich and Ford’s website reads.

Stardock will continue to develop games in the Star Control franchise, with Reich and Ford developing titles in the newly created Ur-Quan Masters franchise. Reich will be helping to differentiate the franchises by creating a new alien race for Star Control, and in return, Wardell and Stardock will help Reich and Ford with technology. All alien name and character trademark registrations have been dropped by Stardock and both series trademarks will be respected by both parties. Star Control I, II & III will resume sale, and the proceeds will be split evenly between both parties. Also, the agreement will be entirely transparent and public, to boot.

With it, a legal argument has come to an end…

Source: WCCFTech