Borrowing from existing game?
by kcpdad · in Game Design and Creative Issues · 02/27/2005 (4:20 am) · 2 replies
Hi,
How much can I borrow from an existing game?
E.g. I've an avid player of an multiple player online FPS(sort of) that has been in existence for over 7 years. The owners of the game have decided not to improve the game at all over those 7 years so the user base is very frustrated because while they love the game they have no alternatives because the owning company refuses to put any resources into improving it.
When I first saw Torque I realized that it was now in my power to craft a similar game but I'm not sure how much I can "borrow". Obviously not any content or artwork but what about gameplay, layout, game terms, etc...? I'm not sure where the line is on this. Any advice or links to such discussions is appreciated.
Thanks!
How much can I borrow from an existing game?
E.g. I've an avid player of an multiple player online FPS(sort of) that has been in existence for over 7 years. The owners of the game have decided not to improve the game at all over those 7 years so the user base is very frustrated because while they love the game they have no alternatives because the owning company refuses to put any resources into improving it.
When I first saw Torque I realized that it was now in my power to craft a similar game but I'm not sure how much I can "borrow". Obviously not any content or artwork but what about gameplay, layout, game terms, etc...? I'm not sure where the line is on this. Any advice or links to such discussions is appreciated.
Thanks!
About the author
Hobbyist working on a tank game when time allows. Play the prototype at => http://www.sytrept.com/60tons/
#2
It's especially dangerous if you're a part of a long-standing community that has been unhappy with the game you're emulating, you run an extremely easy association and the strong likelyhood of a cease and desist order.
02/27/2005 (9:17 am)
You can adopt the look and feel of a particular title (otherwise there wouldn't have been a million FPS's or Final Fantasy clones on the market), but don't recreate the title. It can be similar (for example a survival game where you're stranded on an island and need to survive until you can be rescued) to an existing game (Survival Kids/Lost in Blue), but once you begin mimicing their story arcs, item combinations, and apinig their graphical style on top of it all, you are treading on their IP.It's especially dangerous if you're a part of a long-standing community that has been unhappy with the game you're emulating, you run an extremely easy association and the strong likelyhood of a cease and desist order.
Torque Owner FruitBatInShades
Long Answer: You shouldn't directly copy anything, if they get any idea you've used their assets you will be sued. Imagine how you'd feel if a piece of coursework you handed in at school suddenly appeared published in a famous magazine!
You can be inspired by a game, but if you are redoing it then you'll want to make new art resources and levels to take advantage of newer technology.
You could also ask the original publishers if they mind having a fan game made, I doubt you'll get a response but you could try. Other people have tried doing fan games and been shut down.