Quick, name a criminally-underrated FPS game from a couple of years before the console boom that would actually make for a great reboot in the market of today. If you said No One Lives Forever, then you’re awesome and we can remain friends. NOLF is one of those cult classics, a retro romp starring agent Cate Archer foiling plots in the groovy sixties. And it’s the kind of game that almost never was, thanks to James Bond.
Or more precisely, the distributor and studio behind the Bond franchise, MGM. Speaking on the Jace Hall show, NOLF lead designer Craig Hubbard revealed that Monolith was at one point sent a cease and desist letter by MGM, who felt that Cate Archer and her spying activities infringed way too much on their iconic shaken martini drinker. Here’s an excerpt from that letter:
According to the promotional material …the game features ‘over-the-top-action, outrageous villains, and wry humor in the great tradition of a great 1960?s Bond film!’ It is clear the plain intention of Monolith is to draw substantially from the James Bond motion pictures and the James Bond character through the choice of theme, characters, names, plots, gadgetry, action sequences, and the method Monolith has chosen to advertise and promote the game.
Not even the “not-Bond but totally is” film Never say never got this much crap. So what did Monolith do? Why, the only sensible thing they could do in the face of such lunacy: Ignore the possible lawsuit, and keep on developing the game. That, and seeing as how the letter was sent 18 months before launch, could also possibly mean that Monolith just forgot about it entirely.
I’d love to see Cate Archer return one of these days, but there’s one big problem with a new NOLF game being made: No one knows who actually owns the damn IP for it anymore.
Last Updated: July 25, 2013
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:33
I had a uber crush on Kate….Second was was also epic game!
Pity almost NO ONE knows about this 🙁
Trevor Davies
July 25, 2013 at 15:35
Original box is on the shelf. MOAR NOLF!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:35
“on the self”?????
PERVERT!!!
Trevor Davies
July 25, 2013 at 15:36
…but she’s hot! 🙁
FIXED!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 16:09
Too late, forever on teh interwebz now!
ElimiNathan
July 25, 2013 at 15:43
Don’t type ONE in capitals, you might summon “Concerned” for a bit of trolling
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:45
Don’t you DARE distract from how awesome these games were with your silly trolling!
Trevor Davies
July 25, 2013 at 16:02
No One Trolls Forever hehe
Mark Treloar
July 25, 2013 at 16:08
scotsman on a tri-cycle
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 16:09
“I’ve heard cats in heat that makes prettier sounds than you”
Mark Treloar
July 25, 2013 at 16:12
wait what, that’s not what you said last night?
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:34
Also Bacalov Corrector was and is one of my all time favourite guns!
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:35
Also, Kate from NOLF1 >>> Kate from NOLF2
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 25, 2013 at 15:48
NOLF!?!?
http://geekwhisperin.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/pinky.jpg?w=307&h=303
Admiral Chief Minion 47
July 25, 2013 at 15:48
NARF
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
July 25, 2013 at 15:48
Shhhhh. Just go with it dude!
Gareth L
July 25, 2013 at 15:52
To answer your first question, Darryn: Shogo.
Trevor Davies
July 25, 2013 at 15:54
Mobile Armored Division 😀
AndrewJacksonZA
July 25, 2013 at 15:55
You’re all wrong, the answer to the question is DARK FORCES!!! 🙂
Trevor Davies
July 25, 2013 at 16:02
Another good one.
Mossel
July 26, 2013 at 08:00
I really wanted to play this game! Only had a demo I got of some PC Format or NAG cd. Unfortunately in those days it was quite difficult to get a game unless you bought it.