After conflicting rumors and claims, ranging from the inclusion of copyrighted images in the game's files, to a secret hidden blockchain miner, we finally have the real reason behind the oddity of Cooking Mama: Cookstar's odd release. Back in March, the game managed to hit store shelves and even the North American eShop, for a very brief time before suddenly disappearing. The removal of the listing for the new Cooking Mama game sparked many debates as to why the game was pulled, with the most popular of which being that the game would hijack your Nintendo Switch console in order to mine cryptocurrency. Cookstar was developed by 1st Playable Productions, while the publishing was handled by Planet Entertainment. However, the holder of the Cooking Mama IP, Office Create, released a statement that clarifies much of the confusion.

In 2018, Office Create contracted Planet Entertainment to release a new game under the Cooking Mama series. That's how the most recent game came to be known, but apparently, Office Create determined that the project "failed to meet the standards that [their] customers expect and deserve", demanding that Planet Entertainment ensure that the game was improved upon, as agreed to by the contract that both parties signed. Meanwhile, Planet began to market a PlayStation 4 release of the game, despite not having Office's permission to do so. Then, instead of correcting the aforementioned problems that remained with Cooking Mama: Cookstar, Planet released the game in North American and European markets.

According to Office Create, they terminated Planet Entertainment's license to release Cooking Mama branded games, yet the latter is still selling the game through their official website. This has led to Office "evaluating all legal action" that they can take against Planet Entertainment. So, in the end, the game didn't have any deep dark secrets: it merely was a case of an unlicensed release, following the publisher not adhering to their agreement with the IP owner.

We would like to thank our fans and customers for their support over the years for the Cooking Mama franchise. As many of you know, Planet Entertainment LLC (Headquarters: Connecticut, USA; "Planet") recently released "Cooking Mama: Cookstar" for sale in the U.S., Europe and Australia. This was an unauthorized release in breach of Planet’s contract with Office Create.

In August 2018, Office Create licensed Planet to develop the Cooking Mama: Cookstar game for Nintendo Switch™. Unfortunately, the quality of the game builds failed to meet the standards that our customers expect and deserve. Office Create rejected a wide range of deficiencies affecting the overall feel, quality and content of the game. Yet, despite being contractually obligated to correct the identified deficiencies and resubmit the corrected game for Office Create’s approval, Planet proceeded to release Cooking Mama: Cookstar without addressing all of the rejections and without Office Create’s approval.

We have also learned that Planet and/or its European distributor has been promoting an upcoming European release of a PS4™ version of Cooking Mama: Cookstar. Office Create has not licensed Planet (or any other entity) to create any Cooking Mama games for PS4™. Office Create itself has not been involved in the development of any PS4™ Cooking Mama game.

On March 30, 2020 Office Create notified Planet of its immediate termination of the license due to Planet’s intentional material breach of the license contract. Despite such notice, 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.

Office Create is evaluating all legal action against Planet to protect our customers, intellectual property rights and the Cooking Mama series. In the meantime, we thank our customers and loyal Cooking Mama fans for their continued support and sincerely regret any confusion and disappointment that has been caused by Planet’s conduct.

Source

 

[antiNT]

I wonder if the game will eventully be brought back

 

[Veho]

Looks like Planet Entertainment's business creed is "better to beg forgiveness than ask permission".

 

[micp]

I wonder if the game will eventully be brought back

If it does. Then I wonder if it'll become more of a collector's item and if the value of the game will go up for those who already have it.

 

[MorningBlunt]

If it does. Then I wonder if it'll become more of a collector's item and if the value of the game will go up for those who already have it.

Even as an eShop release? Or was there a physical one too?

 

[Silent_Gunner]

This reminds me of that one NBA game that released on 7th gen consoles that's extremely rare that was so unfinished the debug menu was accessible. IDK the name, though.

 

[micp]

Even as an eShop release? Or was there a physical one too?

Amazon UK shows a physical release. But can Nintendo remove digital games that people have already purchased? Guess we'd find out!

 

[pcwizard7]

I wonder if the game will eventully be brought back

well not under the Planet Entertainment publishing anyways but if you have a physical copy of the game will make a nice rare item in a Nintendo switch collection

 

[skinnyBIGGS]

Lol the game is complete crap no wonder they advised them to work on it some more.. feels like a generic motion sensor wii game.

Very poor quality

Hope they eventually release the product they invisioned ..

 

[linuxares]

Please just let it die... the game is just a rework of the Wii version, it's more or less a paid piracy version since it's not an official game.

 

[UltraDolphinRevolution]

DO NOT BE FOOLED. The Chaicalms and GeeGeePing are behind this.

 

[Harsky]

I wonder if Office Create was just burnt out with the series that they decided to outsource. Shame they picked the lowest bidder because I know a lot of family members who aren't into video games but all would remember that Cooking Mama game on the DS.

 

[Deleted User]

BOYS WE BETTER START BUYING COPIES OF THE GAME SO THAT WE CAN SELL THEM FOR A BUNCH OF MONEY IN THE FUTURE

 

[pcwizard7]

it just looks like a bad tech demo, any1 can link of a good version of

BOYS WE BETTER START BUYING COPIES OF THE GAME SO THAT WE CAN SELL THEM FOR A BUNCH OF MONEY IN THE FUTURE

I d imagine only other collectors would care to buy it

 

[guisadop]

yeah, this will skyrocket in price in 5-10 years.

 

[xs4all]

Nintendo could be an ass and blacklist this game from booting, so all the horders trying to make money out of this game are out of luck, but not good for legit collectors.

 

[pcwizard7]

Nintendo could be an ass and blacklist this game from booting, so all the horders trying to make money out of this game are out of luck, but not good for legit collectors.

the owner of the ip pull the game from stores and eshops and i m guessing the eshop copy has been removed from people's purchases and i d demand a refund even tho they are touchy about that but when the game is no longer available they should make an exception.

but physical copies should be fine to boot

 

[Deleted User]

crypto mama: mining with friends

 

[evertonstz]

That's bizarre to say the least. If it's true that's the first time I see a publisher going crazy with other people's IP.

 

[proffk]

This story sounds similar to that of Poop Slinger and Revenge Of The Bird King for the PS4. Create a game then pull it off sale or don't sell any at all. Create a suspicious and mysterious story online so that news outlets create a buzz around it, have a douch bag youtuber (MJR) create hysteria. Then sell copies on Ebay for instant profit. Honestly feed bad for collectors.