Developer Campo Santo can take pride in the fact that its Firewatch (opens in new tab) art captured the spirit of the wild so perfectly that a Ford dealership stole it for a sales event. Alas, I fear that even with 0% interest, the Ford Freedom will prove a poor match for the scree and cave systems of Shoshone National Park.
For the avoidance of doubt, allow me to credit the ad to Quirk Ford. Well, the bottom half of it. The art is the work of Campo Santo (opens in new tab)'s Olly Moss (opens in new tab). And the screenshot is by Kyle Daigle (opens in new tab), via Firewatch co-producer Panic Inc (opens in new tab). Everyone acknowledged? Phew.
Campo Santo has responded with wit, if not good humour. No acrimonious copyright suits to see here.
Come on down to the Quirk Ford Freedom Sales event where ur free from such things as "copyright" and "infringement!" https://t.co/78HMQdyJqyJune 27, 2016
Speaking to Game Informer (opens in new tab), Quirk Ford said the image was taken from a wallpaper site (opens in new tab)—a wallpaper site that does not guarantee the provenance of its images. Furthermore, Vanaman pointed out (opens in new tab) that some elements of the ad could only have come from an old Campo Santo website.
Quirk Ford has since apologised, and the fire is out.
As far as we're concerned, apology accepted. We all make mistakes! 👌 And the Rip Off Express drives into the sunset… https://t.co/2aOM3Y9PlrJune 28, 2016