Last month, we mentioned the mail sent to Nintendo, with the objective to know if they want to close the Mod or not. After a little wait, they’ve answered with a message that looks like a standard message, saying that they can’t give authorizations for using Nintendo copyrighted contents. But, there is nothing about forbidding continuing to work on Mario Kart Source. It’s why we decided to continue to create this Mod with the Mario theme. Nintendo know us (at least, we are sure now) and It don’t like they’re worrying a lot about us. Since we never used and will never use original content ripped from their games (all files used by the Mod like 3D models, textures, sounds... are remade from scratch), and since we’re trying to do the best about the visual side of the Mod (we don’t want to make bad-looking stuff), we don’t see why Nintendo would close it. So, Mario Kart Source stays Mario Kart Source!
The main problem now stays the availability of the Dev-Team. Potteh is now back, so he can start to work on the Player Selection menu again with Dragon. For the rest, nothing new... most of the team is busy especially coders and modelers. We may need more people to get the project moving, it’s why we’re always looking for modelers, GFX artists and why not another coder. If you know the Mario theme, you can help us with 3D models or graphics! Just come on our forums or mail jobs@mariokartsource.com to show us some of your creations!
Finally, we want to thank everybody who voted for us at the MOTY 2010 on Moddb . Even if we didn’t pass the top 100 round, it show us that people want to see more new progress and a playable beta as soon as possible. We know that, and we’re trying to do everything for that, but keep in mind that we’re only amateur developers. Thanks to anyone who supported us after the latest news too!
Oh, and to spread the word, you can now find Mario Kart Source on Facebook ! Join the group and tell your friends to come!
Thanks for your support,
The MKS Team
Awesome! Great news, keep it up xD
this game is breathing now,and with its awakening,it is reborn.
Looking forward to the beta, keep it up!
good news :-)
Wait, Amateur Developers? That doesn't sound correct! You guys are really good!
Yes, essentially most of the big publishers and developers (This is how a lot of professional devs got started anyway!) don't mind if you are creating unauthorised games or mod pretty much on two conditions, you don't make any money from it or its not a commercial product and that you aren't making a game to rival a game they might have in production or are currently supporting.
I remember when three Half Life 2 Stargate mods got Cease and Desist letters because the mods were shaping up to be better than the official Stargate: The Alliance game. They all complied and the official game never got released anyway, so no one had Stargate. :(
good thing karma allows for others to spit on the cupcakes of those that call what they do frosting.
You should explain that to Blizzard. They have been leading a real witch hunt against starcraft themed mods in the last 5 years or so.
Can't wait!
Great news!
best news I've heard all day
While I am a fan of Mario Kart, a generic SourceKarts may be more original and fun. Pick characters from your favorite Source games (Gordon, Heavy, Chell, Francis, Ellis, etc) and use items from the games! Like instead of a Koopa shell, you'd use the Sandman's stun ball. Or instead of a Bom-Omb it'd be a Pipebomb. Just a thought.
But I do love the work you've done so far. Can't wait for release!
The thing is, you CAN use and distribute copyright characters, ETC. But whatever the product is, in this case, a Mod, it has to be free of charge, or you run the risk of having a lawsuit on your hands.
Now, you still CANNOT use materials, models, textures, music, sounds, ETC. ripped from the game on the mod itself. Because people who don't own the game the objects were ripped from and download this Mod is basically illegally downloading part of a game.
Which so far you haven't done any of the above. Follow these rules and you will be safe to do as you please with the Mod without any attention from Nintendo in a negative manner.
Think of this as a large and complex piece of fanart.