Activision Changes Boxart In Baja Dispute

Activision changed the box art for SCORE International Baja 1000 in response to a lawsuit from THQ, which claimed the original imagery was "virtually identical" to that of its own Baja racing game, Baja: Edge of Control. Although both games are based on the same racing event, THQ claimed that the front and rear packaging art elements were almost identical in Activision’s game. This included the color, position and angle of both featured background and foreground vehicles. The Baja: Edge of Control artwork was first made public in June 2008, before its Western release in September this year. The artwork for SCORE International Baja 1000 was revealed just prior to its U.S.-only release at the end of October. THQ claimed that Activision refused to change the art when it was asked to. According to website Patent Arcade, which originally broke the story, the disagreement has now been settled out of court with Activision simply agreeing to change the design. Since the new artwork bears no resemblance to THQ’s game, both parties appear to be satisfied, with the lawsuit being dismissed with prejudice -- meaning that the same complaint cannot be re-filed at a later date.