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Hi Urak :-)

I don't want to discourage you but I've seen that Nintendo is very restrictive when it comes to their intellectual property. A lot of threads about Nintendo IP-based games have been closed here @ gamedev.net as the authors didn't ask Nintendo if they're allowed to use use their IP.

On the other side: there is an open source Super Mario clone available and AFAIK Nintendo failed to stop the project as they simply call it "Secret Maryo Chronicles". I guess if you want to make this game as freeware (shareware would involve money for a full version and that's surely no good idea dealing with IP) you'll need to rename your project at least. I guess there are other members here which know more about the Nintendo IP issues; so they can answer these questions in detail.

Best of luck with your project.

Ah, whoops, brain thing, I had meant freeware, not shareware, I'll fix that now...

From what I've seen, Nintendo is leniant on fan made pokemon games. As long as they "Make their own materials" (AKA Models, music, and don't copy anything, even the logo) they seem to be ok with it, but I'll try getting in touch with Nintendo regardless, as soon as I figure out how those other people did...

From the PKMN3PS site's FAQ

Quote:

Q: Can't you get sued for this? A: I'm pretty sure I can't. While yes, these are copyrighted characters and everything, we will not be making money off this project in any way. Not even through advertisements. In fact, it might cost us money later on when the game has multiplayer support (Or when people download it), but we'll see... If worse comes to worse I can change every attack by one letter and add funny little mustache's to all the pokemon. No, that's not Pikachu, it's Pikastachechu! He's totally different!

So I already sorta thought about it, but you're right, I should go make sure...

Thanks for your post and for the luck ^_^;;

pokemon? dont you think that by the time of release that it will not generate the same sort of usage as it would have 5 years ago. It is a dying breed. Just a bit of constructive critiscism.

I understand your reasoning, but regardless of whether or not Pokemon has a large fanbase, it will always have fans.

I'm not going into this project expecting instant fame, or anything of that sort, I just want to make a good game that people can enjoy. If I can do that, I don't care how many people play it, as long as at least one of them finds it fun.

And at the very least, I'll learn something from the experience ;-)

Godmodder I choose you!!!! RrrrrWooaoaoarh...

Hehe, yeah I still love pokémon too ;) It's a shame I don't have any spare time because I would have loved to work with you.
We must now split apart and continue or own pokémon journey my friend ;)

Who nows, maybe someday...
Jeroen

Heh, ah well, maybe if we ever get to the open beta stage I'll see you there ;-)

Ah, and I got in contact with Nintendo but... they weren't amazingly clear. In fact, they were very very very vague. ^_^;;

they essentially said "We cannot give out legal advice, find out for yourself"

I figure I'll keep pushing forward until they stop me, at which point, I'll just change the direction to something less likely to get me sued. *nods*

[Edited by - Urak on August 4, 2006 9:39:42 PM]

I also don't want to discourage you, as this sounds like an interesting project, but I really would be wary of using the Pokemon trademarks and characters in your game. There's a high risk that Nintendo will send you a cease-and-desist letter sometime down the track, which could mean scrapping an otherwise great project. It doesn't really matter that much if Nintendo is acting fairly lenient now, as they may decide to crack down harder on projects like these in the future.

I'd highly recommend using your own characters and make a game that is like Pokemon in terms of gameplay but without using Nintendo and Gamefreak's IP. I know it won't be quite the same, but it will be far safer from a legal perspective. I'd hate it if you spent several years working on making a great game only to see it get shot down once you were nearing completion.

Best of luck!

Edit: Forgot to add that I do like the look of that 3D model there. As you might guess from my icon picture I love cartoony type graphics and games!

Thanks, and there's not much chance of anyone discouraging me really.

And believe me, I have no intention of letting this project die. If Nintendo says "No soup for you" I'll just create original characters based off of a similar concept and rework the game to keep with the concept I have.

Frankly, I like the idea of having Clairvoyance and Remote Viewing too much... and seeing a Hitmonlee wall bound or wall run at an enemy... Or flying around as a charizard sending firey doom upon those below...
...
I've been wanting to play this game for years >_>;; lol

But yeah, no matter what, SOME game based off these concepts will be released. I want it to be pokemon because I want to be able to play this game with my nephews for one, as they're going to be moving to Georgia soon (I live in illinois... about an 8 hour drive away O_o;;) and frankly I'll miss them, so at least we'll have a game to play still online, and two, I still like pokemon, regardless of my age.

I guess my inner child just has more say in what I like than anything else *shrugs*

But thanks, I'm really trying hard with the models, I'm self taught with only about 6 months experience, so it's nice to hear I don't suck. ^_^;;