[Q] Copyright on (old) games - General Questions and Answers

Hi,
I was wondering if there is some kind of copyright on (old) games.
Let's say I have ported a classig game to a mobile platform and even tried to reuse much of the graphics.
Can the company that created the orginal game protest and even take further legal steps?
Also, can I use the orgininal name?
Thx,
Bart

That depends, on company as well as on the game, there are some sites in the www providing old games for free, totally legal. Don't think it would be illegal to port these games to android, but I'm no lawyer...
\\Just google for Abandonware, there you'll find some sites
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using XDA App

Copyright varies from country to country. You can google and find how long copyright lasts in your country but don't expect a favourable answer. For many things it's 70 years after the author/creator's death.

Related

Emulators being brought off market?

Hi!
What i want is emulators for snes, nes, n64 and psone. There has been several of these on android market, but because they breach a licence agreement by earning cash on the emulators, they are taken off. This happens with -oid emulators and with tiger emulators.
Anyone have any working emulators? Why can't they be on market for free? I feel scammed having payed for several of tbe -oid programs, but now I am unable to get them any more how was I supposed to know about the licence when I bought these apps?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Mixy said:
Hi!
What i want is emulators for snes, nes, n64 and psone. There has been several of these on android market, but because they breach a licence agreement by earning cash on the emulators, they are taken off. This happens with -oid emulators and with tiger emulators.
Anyone have any working emulators? Why can't they be on market for free? I feel scammed having payed for several of tbe -oid programs, but now I am unable to get them any more how was I supposed to know about the licence when I bought these apps?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it wasn't because they were making money off of them. I'm not sure where people get this idea that app makers should never ask for money when they've provided sought-after services. PSX4droid has been made free since being pulled from the Market, and it's still not allowed back on there. It's more likely to have been pulled because of legal concerns by allowing emulators to be sold there. It's not illegal, no, but it's sketchy and makes the Market look less friendly to video game software and (in the case of Sony) hardware developers. Companies are going to be more inclined to develop ports to Android if there aren't emulators raining on their parade.
And I'm not sure, but aren't requests for emulators against the rules here? I know roms are, but not entirely certain about the emulators.
The N64 emulator works great ... especially with the Wii Remote app !
Some of the old games played with a Wii Remote and HDMId out to a 46 inch LCD ... retro heaven
some of these emulators had been there since the beginning.
It's a lame move to remove them.
especially if they are not linking you to illegal content.
I agree that illegal software should be removed, but i cant see how emulator for outdated patents is illegal.
And @thracia yes, it was because they were making money off it. They didnt create the programs themselves, they just stole free software, and made money off it. The creators of the software rightfully asked for it to be removed.
Mixy said:
Why can't they be on market for free?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They can be, check out Snes9x EX in the official android market.
The developers of the other emulators you mentioned are greedy and stole open source code. They violated GPL by not giving credit to the sources.
Look at console emulators for windows, linux, etc. Not one is sold as a commercial product.
thanks for the help!
I don't think emulators hurt anyone but Sony considering they have a PS phone out there.
Mixy said:
Hi!
What i want is emulators for snes, nes, n64 and psone. There has been several of these on android market, but because they breach a licence agreement by earning cash on the emulators, they are taken off. This happens with -oid emulators and with tiger emulators.
Anyone have any working emulators? Why can't they be on market for free? I feel scammed having payed for several of tbe -oid programs, but now I am unable to get them any more how was I supposed to know about the licence when I bought these apps?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mixy, the developer for the -oid emulators has put them up for free on SlideME, and alternate market, specially to provide updates for the people who paid for them in the first place. I know it's not as convenient, but it's the best he can do, I believe.
Does anyone know a TRUSTWORTHY site where you can get the free tiger emulators (like tiger (gba|gbc|snes))
I have seen some free emulators on the internet...
Sent from my GT-I5800 using XDA App
Thank yoou

OpenFeint: Anyone else having problems with their score updating?

My score stopped updating months ago... been stuck at 2499.
I've obtained many points in other games, and I just reeled in 350 points in Reflex Master... with no change to my gamerscore whatsoever. It's a minor thing to worry about, I know... but I'll admit I do love to just go achievement hunting sometimes, and it's infuriating to get achievements without my score budging?
Has anyone else been having this issue?
I have the same problem (in my case it's a more recent account, but there are various games on it and the score never went higher than 0). Surely we can't be the only ones?
Mine seems to not be showing results I've achieved so far, unfortunately I'm used to it as Gameloft's Live! service has a similar problem and while it recognizes all the games I own, only shows achievements for a couple of them.
...ugh, so it's not just me... I can't believe how long this has gone on.
Sounds like a good time for Android to get it's own "GameCenter" equivalent...
Turns out the reason is they no longer exist
TLRtheory said:
...ugh, so it's not just me... I can't believe how long this has gone on.
Sounds like a good time for Android to get it's own "GameCenter" equivalent...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the illustrious Wikipedia (I know, but still...)
History
....
In April 2011, Japanese company GREE, Inc. bought OpenFeint for US$104 million.
Class Action
In 2011, OpenFeint was party to a Class Action suit with allegations including computer fraud, invasion of privacy, breach of contract, bad faith and seven other statutory violations. According to a news report "OpenFeint's business plan included accessing and disclosing personal information without authorization to mobile-device application developers, advertising networks and web-analytic vendors that market mobile applications"[4]
--
If you go to openfeint.com, it redirects to GREE. OpenFeint accounts are most likely gone.

[GAME]New Pokemon game in development

Hi, everybody, i'm developing a pokemon 2d platform game for android.
take a look at :
http://igg.me/p/307142/x/1796529
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXDFkWrdzdU
please help me make this fan made game a reality,
after its done it will be totally free and free of Ads. :good:
if you can't back me at indiegogo just simply give it a Like and spread the word
The game begins just like in the gameboy color pokemon games, you pick one of bulbasaur, charmander, squirtle or pikachu then justo pass throught level wich are the main scenarios in the kanto region like viridian forest, caves, st anne.
You need to collect coins in order to improve and evolve your pokemon, so you can continue pass the next levels wich are obviouly more and more difficult.
Sounstracks are the originals from the gameboy versions, and art comes from free sources.
If you help me by backing the project at indiegogo.com you can get a special personalized edition of the game with the pokemon of your choice
Wow thats awesome, i have been waiting for this for a long time!! Great work and don't give up!
I will be waiting for the release!
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
t0shir0 said:
Hi, everybody, i'm developing a pokemon 2d platform game for android.
take a look at :
http://igg.me/p/307142/x/1796529
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXDFkWrdzdU
please help me make this fan made game a reality,
after its done it will be totally free and free of Ads. :good:
if you can't back me at indiegogo just simply spread the word
The game begins just like in the gameboy color pokemon games, you pick one of bulbasaur, charmander, squirtle or pikachu then justo pass throught level wich are the main scenarios in the kanto region like viridian forest, caves, st anne.
You need to collect coins in order to improve and evolve your pokemon, so you can continue pass the next levels wich are obviouly more and more difficult.
Sounstracks are the originals from the gameboy versions, and art comes from free sources.
If you help me by backing the project at indiegogo.com you can get a special personalized edition of the game with the pokemon of your choice
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I will surely spread the word.
Thats all I can do for the time being.
Happy to help you.:beer:
________________________________________________________________
Press the thanks button.
It wont cost u much but will help me alot in getting recognised.
My Thread(s) & Post(s)
Hrithik Roshan Best Pics App.
[ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36204795 ]
Steps to Root and unroot any Samsung Gingerbread mobile.
[ http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=35625955 ]
This is looking great and I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this project to see how it turns out. Great work
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
wow ....
it's good job mr...
I like pokemon...
hehe ..
Yay! A pokemon game! I love pokemon
thanks! I hope the project reaches the goal.
And remember that any sugestion about what you want to see in the game is always welcome.
I really don't see this game ever happening. You're creating a game based directly on the premises of pokemon. The legal issues alone....
WoW great it will be a hit for pokemon lovers
:thumbup:
Sent From Walk-MAN By Using Thumbs To Your Retina
lambstone said:
I really don't see this game ever happening. You're creating a game based directly on the premises of pokemon. The legal issues alone....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, although this game doesn't have to go to waste. It can still be a good game without pokemon.
Sent from my SPH-D710
I know i can't sell the game or even upload it to google play, and indiegogo.com has the freedom to delete de project anytime, but it doesn't mean i'm not finishing the game, it just means that I wont have a time limit for it. after that I'll upload the game to an independant web just like pokemon tower defense
I played all parts of pokemon on GBA, its very interesting rpg. Developers, go for it!
oh man looks awesome..im a pokemon lover so this is going to be a must have
keep up the great work and hopefully everything works out
Wow amazing! I hope this project will never be discontinued! Anyway, hoping for a beta release soon!
Can't wait!
Subscribed and will help spread this game!
thats awesome
thats awesome
As long as you're not monetizing the application I'm sure you'll be able to put the app wherever you please. It's a nice fan made project. As long as you're using Nintendos copyrighted material in limited circumstances it'll be fine. Maybe switch up the names of the towns/locations would be a good way to go. Your project seems to fall under Fair Use rights. Just be sure to add a clearly written statement within your project and within the Google Play Store stating your fair use rights and your purpose for the project was for education, criticism, and experimentation.
17 U.S.C. § 107
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17 U.S.C. § 106 and 17 U.S.C. § 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:
1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.[2]
You'll be fine publishing this piece. If you really feel the need to get a few bucks for your time and effort put into this, or just enough to cover your $25 registration fee to publish it on the Play Store you can take donations.
good job
(¬_¬") << abah
Android1993 said:
As long as you're not monetizing the application I'm sure you'll be able to put the app wherever you please. It's a nice fan made project. As long as you're using Nintendos copyrighted material in limited circumstances it'll be fine. Maybe switch up the names of the towns/locations would be a good way to go. Your project seems to fall under Fair Use rights. Just be sure to add a clearly written statement within your project and within the Google Play Store stating your fair use rights and your purpose for the project was for education, criticism, and experimentation.
17 U.S.C. § 107
Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 17 U.S.C. § 106 and 17 U.S.C. § 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include:
1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.
The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.[2]
You'll be fine publishing this piece. If you really feel the need to get a few bucks for your time and effort put into this, or just enough to cover your $25 registration fee to publish it on the Play Store you can take donations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thank you, that was really helpful
Kairosoft has a game out that has strong similarities to pokemon and their doing just fine.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Pokedex was deleted. Hope this App not.
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[Game][4.0+] Magium- A text based fantasy themed Choose your own adventure game

Hello!
I've recently completed the first book of my text adventure game after a year of work, and I would be very grateful if you could give it a try and give me some feedback. In this game you play as an ordinary guy trying to win a mage tournament against the most powerful mages in the world, in the hopes of winning the grand prize, and using it to fulfill your lifelong dream of becoming a mage yourself.
As you progress, you will also get to know the inhabitants of the continent that the tournament takes place on, and you will learn that a person called the Creator established several utopias in this realm a few hundred years ago, where animals and humans could live in harmony, and where food was created through magic. What you will get to experience throughout the game, however, is the downfall of these utopias, and you can even choose to save them from destruction if you so desire.
Besides the traditional choice making, you also have stats you can level up, and there are different checks in the game to see if you have the necessary level to take a certain action. For example, if your ancient languages level is high enough, you can understand when the animals or monsters speak.
Here is the link to the game: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.magiumgames.magium
I hope you'll all enjoy playing this game as much as I enjoyed making it!
Cheers!
Congratulations
Dude, your game is just amazing, the best app I have ever downloaded in my phone, I just want to congratulate you and say that I cant wait to see what happens next! Keep up with the good work (and please tell me the first book's ending can be reversed ).
P.S.: why don't you put your game for ios as well? I have some friends that loved the idea but only have iPhones.
I just saw the XDA thread on r/androiddev and I remembered this forum. Just wanted to let everyone here know that since my initial post on this forum, the 2nd book has also been completed and the story is still in progress. Chapter 4 of book 3 was published a few days ago on android and iOS.
Cheers!
Hey there, thanks for sharing your game!
Not available in my country (Montenegro) for some reason...
czarkoff said:
Not available in my country (Montenegro) for some reason...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can post link to dropbox and you can download my copy. It is avaible here in Slovenia.
its nice game to play.. thx..
czarkoff said:
Not available in my country (Montenegro) for some reason...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately, it looks like Google Play purchases are unavailable in Montenegro, and this game relies exclusively on IAPs for income (the game doesn't have any ads). Aside from that, if I were to publish the game there without an option to pay to unlock the next books faster, I'd be sure to get negative reviews from people. I'll publish it there if Google ever makes purchases available in that region.
Nemeean_lion said:
Unfortunately, it looks like Google Play purchases are unavailable in Montenegro, and this game relies exclusively on IAPs for income (the game doesn't have any ads). Aside from that, if I were to publish the game there without an option to pay to unlock the next books faster, I'd be sure to get negative reviews from people. I'll publish it there if Google ever makes purchases available in that region.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sense. Maybe you could consider making an alternative version without IAPs, so that you could sell it from Play Store and XDA store with an upfront price? Or maybe there are other IAP providers that do not depend on Google's slow expansion? I have no idea how practical that would be, but at least you would be able to reach a few more people...
czarkoff said:
Makes sense. Maybe you could consider making an alternative version without IAPs, so that you could sell it from Play Store and XDA store with an upfront price? Or maybe there are other IAP providers that do not depend on Google's slow expansion? I have no idea how practical that would be, but at least you would be able to reach a few more people...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't really sell it with an upfront price because the game is still in development. The first two books and first four chapters of book 3 are available, which all amount to around 600k words on all paths, but the series will have 5 books or more, and I don't want to ask for the full price now, because it takes a long time to write these.
I had the game up on the amazon store for some time, but there were barely any downloads coming from there, so I pulled it out, because it wasn't worth the extra effort to port a new version for that store.
When the whole story is finished, I'm planning to put a full-priced version of the game on Steam, and maybe then I'll also consider some other stores, but that will be years from now.
Ok, good luck and sorry for noise.
Amazing story, enjoyable and fun. Must be crazy hard to keep up with writing it tho.
A song that kinda feels like it matches this is "Tabi no Tochuu (Spice and Wolf)" by AmaLee.
Barry (my one at least) is a crazy but smart guy focused on his aim, which I love.
Good luck with the rest of it, I'll defo be keeping up.
PS - You might wanna secure achievements by forcing over the cloud or something cause someone can get the books for free by editing the savefile as root.
This is interesting

Will a simulated gambling game be banned in the Middle East?

I've been working on this app for quite a while now.
It's a bit of a farming/cooking/simulatedGambling game.
It's in Arabic.
The game is aimed towards middle eastern Gulf countries which are known to be conservative.
| checked a few minutes ago and simulated gambling games are indeed banned in Saudi Arabia (not sure about other Gulf countries though). Even websites that have these sort of games are banned.
Casino games are banned on Google Play but not on IOS for some reason, slot machine games are not banned on both IOS and Android.
There is no money to be earned in my game it's not real gambling (but game has IAP), and the layout of the games aren't similar to Casinos in terms of style and color. Thing is I wanted to make sure the games do not resemble Casinos in any way.
Games included within my game are:
-Slots
-BlackJack (numbers only not card deck)
-mini Roulette
I'm also considering adding
-Street Dice
-Sic Bo (simplified using only 2 dices instead of 3)
FacelessStuart said:
Yeah, you should check the rules of Google App and you will understand that it contradicts their policy. In my opinion, it is rather strange to restrict the work of honest official applications like fairspin, for example. It is the choice of everyone to test your luck on such sites or not. The platform is honest and why users can't play also your app I can't understand too. It is like the lottery, but I don't understand why some official lotteries are working without any problems, but casinos are not allowed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the culture there is different, so is the law. Banning gambling is part of the law there, so yeah, anyone considering making a game that may be ressemblent to gambling should try to contact officials that works around those subjects. I don't know very much about how and who to contact tho...
Other countries like China have rules to follow, regarding the content of your app/game.
Make sure to check official texts (if there are, and are available to the public) before publishing or making your app.
I'm not sure that gambling will become more accessible anytime soon.

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