Obtain the Rights or Re-Write the Game??

[LandonSuffered]

i]Gamma World<Scattershot <Gamma WorldGamma WorScattershot <Gamma World

[iago]

Have you taken a look at Darwin's World?  I believe that's an RPGNow favorite that basically hit the GammaWorld trope in its own way, by filing the serial numbers off.

I'm betting you'd find acquiring the Gamma World rights to be financially prohibitive, if not a legal nightmare as well...

[LandonSuffered]

Darwin's World is one, and Omega World (by Jonathan Tweet) is another that has "filed off the serial numbers."  However, both are D20 systems and were published prior to GW D20.

What makes this all the more troublesome is that it appears I'll have to review multiple sources in order to "file off the numbers."  For example:

Gamma World Cryptic Alliance:  Zoopremists
Omega World Cryptic Alliance:  Zoopremacists

What a pain in the ass!

[Ron Edwards]

Hiya,

It's not really as if you have to justify this to me or to anyone reading - but simply because I'm not seeing it at all, can you explain why your plans with this game design include publishing?

Best, Ron

[LandonSuffered]

i]Gamma World and Rifts and TMNT and Sorcerer & Sword and Car Wars<Twilight 2000 and After The Bomb. Most games are kind of a mess (D20, Rifts) and some games are either too intense for the role-players I know (Sorcerer & Sword) or fails to satisfy (octaNe). I want a low buy-in, accessible game that helps players transition to more intense role-playing.  I want something that can duplicate Mad Max, The Blood of Heroes, Thundarr, or Battle for the Planet of the ApesRifts and TMNT and Sorcerer & Sword and Car Wars<Twilight 2000 and After The Bomb. Most games are kind of a mess (D20, Rifts) and some games are either too intense for the role-players I know (Sorcerer & Sword) or fails to satisfy (octaNe). I want a low buy-in, accessible game that helps players transition to more intense role-playing.  I want something that can duplicate Mad Max, The Blood of Heroes, Thundarr, or Battle for the Planet of the Apes

[Ron Edwards]

Well, here's a solution.

Write the game and present it for free on the internet, as a personal tribute to the source material. That would satisfy all the needs you stated, I think. You didn't mention anything about commerce.

Now, how legal is it? Check with a lawyer. It may be that the company which owns the property can shut you down, or it may be that they cannot, I don't know. It all depends on whether commerce is the central concern. If they can't, they might try anyway, or maybe if they can, they might decide not to. But find out from someone who is paid to understand these things and to advise clients about them.

That, then, would be the solution to the conundrum you feel trapped in, now that I understand that commerce isn't part of your vision. It may be that you aren't facing any dilemma at all.

Best, Ron

[LandonSuffered]

Sound, sound advice.  My friends have been trying to get me back into law school for the last ten years or so...too bad I never did.

While commerce isn't a major concern (I'm not trying to quit my day job just yet) I wouldn't mind getting some kind of return for my effort.  But you know what?  This really is putting the cart before the horse.  Hell, this whole thread may just be procrastination.

I wrote a chapter today and two things struck me: a) it feels damn good to write this stuff up, and b) this could easily morph into a much different game.  For right now, I'm going to worry about getting everything down first, then playtesting, and then publishing. 

Fortuitously, I ran into an old college gamer buddy of mine today; he's also a visual artist. I got his card and we're going to grab a drink later this week.  I don't know if he still games, but until I saw him on the street I was wondering where I'd get art for this opus.  One thing at a time I guess.

[to sum up: thanks for the feedback; I'm heading back to the lab now...]