I bet the guy who wrote the core narrative for BioShock may feel like a sucker. If BioShock were a novel or a comic, his agent would ensure that HE gets residuals or a big piece of the budget for this. But since he is in the game industry I doubt he'll get much more than whatever he made for the actual work he did on the game. (Game industry creators let themselves be pwned so much it's pathetic.)

He's no more entitled to individual royalties for any subsequent film than he (or any coder or artist) is for the work they did on the game. He wrote a narrative for the game because he was paid to do so by 2K. 2K therefore quite rightly own his creative output in that capacity.

It's not the same as the film industry (or novels or comics) where writers struggle under their own steam until they produce a script or an idea which is deemed worthy to be purchased (or funded for development) by a studio. He gets paid whether his narrative is good or not (although obviously his job security depends on it being good).

That's how I see it anyway; I may be misguided...

What he should get of course therefore is excellent job security (not to mention prospects elsewhere) from 2K.

I've had this discussion before on the IGDA boards. I simply said this. Basically, I'm not interested in the technicality of whether his contract said he should get paid this or that. What I'm interested in this question: Should a person who creates a lasting narrative structure - with interesting characters, setting, plot and so forth - not get the benefit if what he creates is so lasting and powerful that others wish to turn it into a movie? I believe the answer is yes, and I think we are engaged in a downward spiral by denigrating the gifts of creative individuals for the sake of corporate bottom lines. I mean this press release actually speaks of "2K Games' vision for BioShock..." Since when can a corporation have a vision. Did the corporation wake up in the middle of the night with a new creative inspiration? Corporations can't have "visions". Only people can. People are what is important here. Not bottom lines, corporate bylaws and toeing the line.

"Since when can a corporation have a vision."

Since it employs creative people and pays them well to create 'visions' for it.

Spoken like a typical bureaucrat. Yes, technically, the corporation has the vision. But in actuality it is a person within the corporation who has it.

Remember, a corporation is just an imaginary legal entity. That's all. It's a concept. The concept of a corporation is supposed to serve people - not enslave them or steal from them.

What a brilliant discussion to have in relation to Bioshock in particular. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was the 'writer' having a little fun...

Can't believe I went through the godawful rigmarole of registering to post that. FYI Gamasutra, your registration process sucks spectacularly. Seriously, it's awful, in every way.