Whilst fans flocked to buy Cooking Mama: Cookstar, the latest instalment in the Cooking Mama saga – many would not think that there were tensions bubbling underneath the pot lid.
Whilst Office Create is the undisputed creator of the Cooking Mama series, they had licensed the rights to Planet Entertainment way back in 2018. 1st Playable Productions developed the new game and Planet Entertainment intended to publish the game.
According to Office Create, Planet’s development of Cooking Mama: Cookstar did not meet their expectations, and stated that “a wide range of deficiencies affecting the overall feel, quality, and content of the game.” Office Create claims that Planet did not consult them concerning these deficiencies, and released it without their approval.
More specifically, Office Create also condemned the release of the game on Playstation 4. They stated that “Planet continues to advertise and sell the unauthorized version of Cooking Mama: Cookstar on its website in willful violation of Office Create’s rights. To date, Planet has not confirmed the status of the unauthorized PS4 version.” They are also seeking legal action against Planet Entertainment.
However, Planet has decided to issue a statement in defence of its actions today:
“Creative differences arose as Cooking Mama: Cookstar was near completion that were outside the scope of our agreement and the game design approved by Office Create.”
Planet also recognises that it has every right to publish Cooking Mama: Cookstar. It reckons it is in its legal rights to do so. Planet also stated that it has ‘total respect’ for Office Create and wishes them well. Despite these differences Cooking Mama: Cookstar has continued to sell. Stock in the UK currently running at moderate to low levels.
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