Topic: A question about generic systems and copyright
Started by: Moganhio
Started on: 8/24/2010
Board: First Thoughts
On 8/24/2010 at 10:35am, Moganhio wrote:
A question about generic systems and copyright
I'm devoloping a new generic/universal system (more universal than generic, indeed). And as usually in universal systems, you need a setting too!
I was thinking of providing a setting as example. But I really never liked these kind of games supposedly generic with... one, two or three settings as maximum.
So, option B, to create a chapter about how to adapt other settings. Question here is: if I develop subchapters about how to adapt specific game settings (for example: WoD or Gurps), could I have copyright problems because of it? can I mention the name of the game? (that is supposed to be protected as trademark)
Anybody knows about it? (thanks in advance)
On 8/24/2010 at 10:55am, Vulpinoid wrote:
Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
Why not do what a lot of games do?
By that I mean, take two or three well known settings from books/movies/TV then blend them together...picking and choosing a few elements from each to highlight with your game, then let the players flesh out the rest of the setting using the other elements from those properties.
This gives you the advantage of not stepping on other game designers territories, and gives a wide range of instant source material for your game.
Just an idea...
V
On 8/24/2010 at 10:59am, Jason Pitre wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
I am doing pretty much the exact same thing. Would you only be trying to adapt the setting, or allow for some kind of mechanical conversion? Are you trying to create a system so that you can convert the scarlet empress point for point into your game mechanically, or just the story aspects of "Dragon Blooded and Solar outcasts" present in the game?
Best of luck, I know how challenging that can be.
On 8/24/2010 at 11:40am, Moganhio wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
Jason wrote:
I am doing pretty much the exact same thing. Would you only be trying to adapt the setting, or allow for some kind of mechanical conversion? Are you trying to create a system so that you can convert the scarlet empress point for point into your game mechanically, or just the story aspects of "Dragon Blooded and Solar outcasts" present in the game?
Well, my idea is not giving another system to play the same game with a couple of tweaks. System is gonna be something new and very innovative at some points. But every system needs a setting, and if somebody wants to use a setting from a popular game (WoD, Gurps, SW and d20), I would like to give part of the work done. Mainly stats conversion for NPCs.
Vulpinoid wrote:
By that I mean, take two or three well known settings from books/movies/TV then blend them together...picking and choosing a few elements from each to highlight with your game, then let the players flesh out the rest of the setting using the other elements from those properties.
This gives you the advantage of not stepping on other game designers territories, and gives a wide range of instant source material for your game.
Nope. I just want to avoid the 'generic game with a couple of popular settings' syndrome. It's not something bad by itself, but I don't like it that much.
Anyway, thanks.
On 8/24/2010 at 11:48am, Eero Tuovinen wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
We discussed this very thing with Jason just recently here.
Forge Reference Links:
Topic 30186
On 8/24/2010 at 1:30pm, Moganhio wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
Eero wrote:
We discussed this very thing with Jason just recently here.
Very interesting points there. Specially related to demo material (didn't think on it, but you were absolutelly right).
But I still have a doubt: including stats conversion tables would be a copyright infringement? Anybody knows it?
Forge Reference Links:
Topic 30186
On 8/24/2010 at 2:02pm, Adam Dray wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
Never ask for copyright advice on the Internet. If you need this information to avoid a "cease and desist" letter or even going to court, then it's way too important to trust to strangers whose legal credentials are unknown. If you have anything to risk here, hire a lawyer.
On 8/24/2010 at 3:46pm, Moganhio wrote:
RE: Re: A question about generic systems and copyright
Adam wrote:
Never ask for copyright advice on the Internet. If you need this information to avoid a "cease and desist" letter or even going to court, then it's way too important to trust to strangers whose legal credentials are unknown. If you have anything to risk here, hire a lawyer.
Yeap. This is probably a good piece of advice. It's smarter to avoid this kind of problems. And nothing prevents me from doing a table with 'standard NPCs', so it's possible to pick up or even build several ones quick and easy.
So decision is made.