#177158 - ScottLininger - Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:02 am
Hey guys,
I'm toying with building a pure-javascript Legend of Zelda clone, mostly for the fun of it, partially to learn HTML5 game dev.
I could do the project with all my own sprites/SFX, etc... but it's so charming to use the original LOZ assets! And copying the maps and stuff would be kinda fun.
But if I were to use the original assets and put it on some website, will Nintendo come and shut me down? As importantly, do you think it's "just plain wrong" to use commercial assets, even for a no-profit fan project?
Thoughts? Suggestions?
-Scott
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#177159 - Dwedit - Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:50 am
Someone from Infogrames (now called Atari) made me take down my Atari 2600 Adventure clone, so tread carefully.
I've seen lots of crappy Flash Mario clones and stuff which have not been taken down, but Nintendo has a reputation for being lawyer-happy.
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"We are merely sprites that dance at the beck and call of our button pressing overlord."
#177160 - dantheman - Sat Jan 07, 2012 12:50 am
Graal Online was originally a Java-based MMO game using Zelda sprites/tiles/images and was even originally called "Zelda Online" - Nintendo had them change their name and remove all non-original assets.
#177162 - kusma - Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:47 pm
Yes, you will get a takedown-notice. And yes, I think it's "just plain wrong" to use commercial assets even for not-for-profit projects. You're still using other people's work without their permission, which I don't agree with.
#177163 - gauauu - Mon Jan 09, 2012 3:43 pm
You never know if they'll shut you down. There are things like Super Mario War that are still trucking along.
Do I think it's "just plain wrong"? I dunno, I think it's a pretty gray area. I guess my own gut feeling is that it's not wrong (I considered doing a blaster master fan sequel, using the original assets), but I could definitely understand why it would be wrong.
#177164 - FluBBa - Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:53 pm
Atari has gone bonkers shutting everyone down who has anything even remotely resembling Atari IPs. Homebrew games for old Atari computers/consoles, the Fuji Atari logo, iPhones games using game mechanics similar to old Atari games.
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#177178 - Exophase - Thu Jan 12, 2012 8:50 pm
There are whole communities for Zelda 2D fangames. You'll probably be okay.
#177235 - sgeos - Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:04 am
I think you should use your original assets, but have a Zelda skin.
#177277 - keldon - Sat Mar 10, 2012 1:30 pm
What's the legal concensus on having identical levels but different graphics anyway?