Legality of making my own game client...
by Dallin Wellington · in General Discussion · 10/31/2007 (7:21 pm) · 7 replies
Ok, well im apart of a team that makes a server emulator from Star Wars Galaxies (www.swgprecu.com), so far we know that the server side of it is legal because we arnt stealing any code, and we are just utilizing the SOE protocol, but what is the legality of making my own Star Wars Galaxies client??? I would make it so people dont have to pay for it and they have to by an original copy of the game to get the media.
#2
Let's examine the possibilities:
A) build a clone of the Galaxies client.
1. Might get you sued
2. You couldn't possibly make any money off it, because then you would definitely get sued.
B) build your own game
1. You'll be the one doing the suing, in the future.
2. Could make you money
3. Much more satisfying to satisfy your own creativity instead of copying someone elses.
My understanding is that the company that made Galaxies essentially ruined it over the course of many updates. Why not you just do a very similar game, and do it right?
I am so not giving you a hard time, dude--I sincerely respect your enthusiasm and will. I just thought maybe you might not have thought this through in some ways. I'm sure you're a big fan of the game (obviously!), and would like to play it in a certain way. But having made a game myself (such as it is), I have an idea of the effort involved, and I abhor wasted effort. It seems to me it would be so much better to make something that you could actually own.
But maybe that's just me. I like owning things.
11/01/2007 (2:51 am)
You know, that's a really interesting question. After thinking about it a bit, I have to wonder, if you have the talent to make a copy of their client, why not spend your time much more productively by building your own game?Let's examine the possibilities:
A) build a clone of the Galaxies client.
1. Might get you sued
2. You couldn't possibly make any money off it, because then you would definitely get sued.
B) build your own game
1. You'll be the one doing the suing, in the future.
2. Could make you money
3. Much more satisfying to satisfy your own creativity instead of copying someone elses.
My understanding is that the company that made Galaxies essentially ruined it over the course of many updates. Why not you just do a very similar game, and do it right?
I am so not giving you a hard time, dude--I sincerely respect your enthusiasm and will. I just thought maybe you might not have thought this through in some ways. I'm sure you're a big fan of the game (obviously!), and would like to play it in a certain way. But having made a game myself (such as it is), I have an idea of the effort involved, and I abhor wasted effort. It seems to me it would be so much better to make something that you could actually own.
But maybe that's just me. I like owning things.
#3
I would do my own MMO, i have an idea and a sorta Story (im working on it), but the problem lies in the fact that i cant find anyone that sticks with group, or works...
I guess its time to try again, maybe
11/01/2007 (3:27 pm)
Well, this client is going to be Pre-CU, it uses all the pre-cu packet structs, ive already started it, but also i am thinking of making my own MMO, but the only problem is when ever i put a team together, its usually me doing all the work.. :(, i got this book called "Indie Game Development Survival Guide", and i plan on starting a team using what it says in there... Team Contracts, and such so everyone works...I would do my own MMO, i have an idea and a sorta Story (im working on it), but the problem lies in the fact that i cant find anyone that sticks with group, or works...
I guess its time to try again, maybe
#4
The problem, I think, is that if someone has the wherewithal to stick with your project...they're probably pretty likely to have their own game!
At this point, I'm simply determined to bootstrap it solo, all the way if necessary.
11/01/2007 (5:35 pm)
Good luck finding partners. I'm still looking.The problem, I think, is that if someone has the wherewithal to stick with your project...they're probably pretty likely to have their own game!
At this point, I'm simply determined to bootstrap it solo, all the way if necessary.
#5
11/01/2007 (7:19 pm)
Really the only person i whould need is a 3d artist, but, all the good ones i know are already taken + i cant find any free models anywhere :(
#6
11/01/2007 (7:48 pm)
There are quite a few on Turbosquid. YMMV.
#7
Though I am an attorney, this is not meant to be a legal opinion. I am only expressing common knowledge. If you have any concerns, I would formally contact an attorney. I am not attempting to form an attorney-client relationship.
11/04/2007 (4:45 pm)
Lucas would have every right to sue you for both trademark and copyright infringement if you made a SWG client. In other words, try making a SWG client that does not use any graphics associated with Star Wars, does not use any Star Wars music and does not use any potentially trademarked terms (like "Star Wars"). SOE has a license to use Star Wars images, terms and music; you do not.Though I am an attorney, this is not meant to be a legal opinion. I am only expressing common knowledge. If you have any concerns, I would formally contact an attorney. I am not attempting to form an attorney-client relationship.
Employee David Montgomery-Blake
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