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How legal are game clones?

4 pointserebrus15y ago5 comments

Hi, I know a game available for pc and iphone. It's not even a very recent game, however there isn't any online and/or facebook version of it. Imho, the concept has a huge potential for social gaming. Question is, how legal is if I was to do clone of the game, extend to be a social game and publish it on facebook?

5 comments

5 comments · 2 top-level

ig115y ago· 3 in thread

You're fine cloning a concept, just don't steal anything from the original (graphics, music, level design, name)

kingofspain15y ago

Not always so straightforward though: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Giana_Sisters

I guess, as with anything, you can buried under legal nonsense if you're unlucky.

ig115y ago

I've player Great Giana Sisters and it's closer to a copy than a clone. The game mechanics are identical and parts of the levels are straight clones. For example the first set of blocks where you get the "grow massive" bonus is identical to that in SMB.

It's essentially Mario with a different sprite set.

erebrusOP15y ago

Thanks

noctrine15y ago

There is excellent advice on this subject from Tom Sloper: http://www.sloperama.com/advice/faq61.htm

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