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

 

[Hells Malice]

I wonder how stupid you have to be to believe it was actually a blockchain miner

 

[Kwyjor]

Maybe they can change the graphics around and get a license for the Science Papa IP. Remember that?
https://www.wired.com/2009/08/activisions-science-papa-will-remind-you-of-mamas-cooking/

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.

I missed that story. Does anyone here know..?

 

[Captain_N]

I wonder if i should buy a copy. It might be like the famous stadium events. that was recalled also, which lead to it being rare.

 

[Itsuki235]

I wonder if i should buy a copy. It might be like the famous stadium events. that was recalled also, which lead to it being rare.

Physical copies will be rare, but digitally, it is already in circulation.

 

[Stealphie]

this game looks like shovelware of the wii days

 

[Pluupy]

People who actually believed the bitcoin mining rumor are literal brainlets.

Just like all previous Cooking Mama games, it's alright. I don't care much for Cooking Mama but if you like these games, you will like this one. I think it's fascinating you can't use the pro controller, only handheld mode or single joycon mode. There is multiplayer mode and even a vegan-only mode. You can customize Mama too. Seems to be lacking in features in comparison to Cooking Mama: World Kitchen (Wii) and Cooking Mama 5: Bon Appetite (3ds).

 

[raxadian]

I wonder if the game will eventully be brought back

Apparently the licence was terminated because the quality of the game was terrible.

So just go and play the DS version or something.

 

[skydancer93]

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.

NBA Elite 11. It’s easier to find the PS3 version and if you have a modded PS3, the game rip IS out there. Just have to look for it.

 

[duwen]

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.

Yeah, those physical copies are super expensive right now...