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Ignoring the fact that this is your first forum post ever and that it is an MMORPG, the copyright will be a problem. Unless it is a fan game with no plans on being sold or released to people, then you can't use the 'Bleach' franchise without permission.

I hate crushing peoples dreams like that, but MattGags is completely right on all accounts.

Take your enthusiasm and direct it towards something more attainable! Bleach Tetris! J/K, but really, something on that level would be a good place to start.

I completely agree with Matt and Wavesonic and I would like to add my 2 cents. You say that you "Will pay as soon as we start getting money" and I was wondering where that money would be coming from, since you cannot actually sell this game without express written approval from Viz Media/SCEI/Nintendo/Sega/etc. I sincerely hope that you take this and the above comments to heart, revise your plans and put all that good spirit into something original instead. In case you are going forward with this, you should be aware of the fact that the copyright holder WILL demand the project to the shut down eventually (via a cease and desist order). I'd be very sad to see all that hard work go to waste.

All of the above is true, except the implied statement that you have to sell the end product to get into trouble -- this is entirely untrue, distribution, either for pay or for free, is enough for the company to seek damages from you, if they so choose. Simply posting images containing copywritten characters or even strong allusions to the fact that they are indeed the content of your project is enough for you to get a cease & desist order (legal speak for "shut down now, or we'll sic our lawyers on you.") In fact, most fan-games without express consent of the copyrigtht holder are shut down long before anything is even available to the general public.

There are some exceptions like satire, parody and educational use, but none would seem to apply to your plans here.

We aren't here to rag on you, we'd just honestly rather see you put your efforts into something that can achieve the success your efforts will deserve. With unauthorized fan-games, one thing is certain -- the more popular you become, the more likely it is that you will be shut down. Why invest years of your life in something where success guarantees failure, and your best hope is to wallow in invisible obscurity?

Aside from the content, the simple fact that you're shooting for MMO your first time out is reason enough for failure. Shoot for something smaller scale, no one runs before they walk.

I've been programming now for half my life (and I'm 26) and I wouldn't dream to take on an MMO, even though I'm confident I could do it with time, and possess some of the know-how now. Its just too much effort for a very low likelyhood of return (probably half of professional MMOs fail, and really only WOW has been a break-away hit beyond what anyone projected.)

Quote:

Original post by Ravyne All of the above is true, except the implied statement that you have to sell the end product to get into trouble -- this is entirely untrue, distribution, either for pay or for free, is enough for the company to seek damages from you, if they so choose.

I might have been unclear when I said, I meant any distribution. Free or for money. Now if he made an MMO that was about 'Bleach' and only played it himself and never advertised about it, then it would be ok (although probably pretty lonely, since it would be an MMO) =)

Closed per user request.