Earlier this year, the insanely complicated legal issues plaguing the Friday the 13th franchise claimed Gun Media’s Friday the 13th: The Game as a victim, ensuring that new content will probably never again be added to the game. Essentially, while the developers can still fix bugs and maintain the game, they cannot currently add *anything* new into it.
A serious bummer, especially given the Jason X map had been coming soon.
Today, Gun Media has put together a helpful little Q&A over on their forums, answering the most frequently asked questions regarding both the messy Friday the 13th lawsuit and future game content. Said Gun’s Wes Keltner, “I spent the last few weeks with legal and the license holders getting these answers. When we know more and can share it, we will.”
Here’s everything you need to know.
Q: Does this mean you (Gun Media) can create new DLC now?
A: We cannot currently add new DLC or Content to the game and it is unclear if this can ever happen. We can only perform maintenance, balance, QoL fixes and bug fixes.
Q: Why won’t/when will Gun Media add Uber Jason/Grendel/Clothing DLC?
A: The entire license is currently under a legal microscope. We wish this was a more clear-cut, black and white scenario, but it is not. There is a lot of gray. We hope that in the near future more legal clarity will occur, but this is not Gun’s call. As mentioned previously, at this time we can not add any new content, regardless of where the content falls within the F13 canon (Uber Jason for example).
While Uber Jason appeared to be close to being finished, there was still remaining work that needs to be completed in order to finish him. When we got word to stop, we stopped. There were clothing packs and kill packs that were also nearly complete. However, the Grendel map still had months of work to go. When this content was leaked, we were under 50% complete. It is not likely that Grendel will ever see the light of day.
Q: Why did you (Gun Media) decide to stop making content?
A: The decision was made for us to stop making content due to the sensitivity of the legal process. Gun does not own rights to Friday the 13th: The Game. We continue to work with our partners at Horror, Inc. as more information unfolds. Gun wants to release content, as do our partners at Horror. Until more clarity is provided, we can not add new content.
Q: Why won’t you (Gun Media) settle with/pay Victor Miller to create content?
A: Gun is not a part of the legal issues surrounding the license. It is not our call to “settle” or “pay” anyone as it relates to the legal issues. Our partners at Horror, Inc have reached out a few times in an effort to settle with Mr. Miller. However, we were informed that this communication was ignored. We hope that all parties can come together in the future, so we can add some new content, but it’s not likely, nor should it be expected.
Q: Why won’t Horror Inc. settle with Miller so you can create content?
A: As mentioned previously, this has been attempted in the past with no progress. Our partners at Horror, Inc will continue to reach out to Mr. Miller, but until communication lines are opened up, there is very little we, or our partners can do at this time.