Sony Stole Idea For ‘God of War,’ Artists Say

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) - Two artists claim Sony stole the idea for its "God of War" video games from their screenplay and map for a game called "Olympiad" that they sent to Sony affiliates.

Jonathan Bissoon-Dath and Jennifer Barret-Herzog say they sent their work, "Olympiad" to Sony affiliates in 2002.

The artists say they sent "Olympiad" to Sony in hopes of having it made into a movie. They say that David Jaffe, a creative director for Sony, began developing "God of War" that year.

In both "Olympiad" and "God of War," the main character's family is hacked to death in a one-room building in a small peaceful village, for which the character feels immense guilt even though he is not to blame. The character vows revenge. In both versions, he receives absolution by saving Athens from destruction by the Army of Ares.

The video game also allegedly borrows weapons, other plot lines and minor characters from the screenplay.

The plaintiffs charge Sony and Jaffe with copyright infringement for the game and its sequels, "God of War II," released in 2007, and "God of War III," still in development. They demand damages, profits from the games and production of the new game enjoined. They are represented by C. Brooks Cutter with Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff.

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