Use old game's story as basis? Thread

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Use old game's story as basis? (Forums : Ideas & Concepts : Use old game's story as basis?)		Post Reply
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aeronmike	Feb 17 2013, 4:49pm Anchor
aeronmike	Hey guys... I'm almost maniac for improving existing stories by adding elements, mixing movies and games' universes (when possible), etc etc. I have some great ideas for new stories, mainly action and horror ones. However, I'm still starting in the indie games develepment universe (learning, questioning, researching, loop), so I'm constantly (as many or all of you) hit by thousands of ideas at the same time, and that sometimes is quite boring when I realize I have all those ideias but none in practice, since I still don't get a real concept to focus on. Well, my question is: Would it be good to get an (very) old game's whole story and use it in mine? I mean, I'm not going to use names or exactly the same elements. As I said, I love to MODify them by making them more interesting the way I believe people would enjoy. But I don't want to create MODs. I want my own game for the public. That's all. Ah! Almost forgot... That would be a commercial title. Thanks for your attention, Mike
AlexVSharp	Feb 17 2013, 5:59pm Anchor
AlexVSharp	I've been trying to formulate a general answer to the question, but truth be told you haven't really provided enough information about what exactly you're planning to do. If all you're doing is writing your own story inspired by an existing one, then it's fine. On the other hand, if you are using anything from an existing lore without permission than you're operating on a very slippery slope. Same goes if you copy an entire existing title and just make small changes. If you start with one story but ultimately overhaul it so much that it doesn't blatantly scream 'copy' than you 'might' be able to get away with it. Copyright infringement is a rather serious topic and I believe only someone well-versed in copyright law can be more precise on the subject. Personally? I believe you're better off drawing inspiration from the thing and making up the rest by yourself - or get a writer and tell him 'I want something like this which is not that'. Like I said: It's all relative. Edited by: AlexVSharp
aeronmike	Feb 19 2013, 3:44pm Anchor
aeronmike	Okay, thanks. I also got a similar tip from Tornado Twins on Twitter: RT @aeronmike @tornadotwins would it be a good ideia to use an OLD game's story as the basis for mine? //use the story beats not the IP ^R— TornadoTwins (@TornadoTwins) February 17, 2013 @aeronmike If its not ur IP, stay far away. Of course stories can influence the creation of your own, but don't own it, don't make a sequel!— TornadoTwins (@TornadoTwins) February 18, 2013