Brunogruber said: "I just want to clarify: I do not mind people making fan games, mods, fan art, or anything like that. My only issue is using this as a platform to promote yourself based only on that. In this case, as I said earlier, the guy has sticked a picture of him and a small biography on the game’s facebook page (more than 10k likes last time I checked, because metal gear). I cannot be the only one that sees what’s wrong with that. This discussion was not intended to be about this single project, but about all the devs that are doing this kind of thing.
Also, to clarify: I am not worried of people copying my game, or any of my projects. This is entirely unrelated with any production of mine, and I’m sorry if at any moment it sounded like it was about any of my projects."
I don’t know how you could make fan games, mods and art of any half way decent quality and not get some attention. Especially of such a beloved game as MGS. You seem to have a sense of honor about gamedev and how to go about it, and that’s a great thing. But I wonder if it’s a little out-of-step with how this mega-fast game marketing super saturated industry is. Some people would sell their soul to get a leg-up on the competition. If “Shadow Moses” creators plotted this whole thing out just to get some personal attention, I still can’t come down on them. But I really think (I don’t know) that they are making something near and dear to themselves and it also something millions of others are fond of. And thus the attention. But the game will speak for itself. Eventually.
So, if a person makes a well done fan-game based off a popular game (one that has the approval of the original ip owners), and garners attention that in turn results in the developer gaining fans… then the next game they develop for profit sells well, this is unethical or somehow unfair to creators who choose to strictly make original content for profit? Even IF these creators are doing this intentionally to make a name for themselves (which I’m sure is usually not the case and certainly doesn’t seem to be the case for the creator of “Shadow Moses”… I see absolutely no issue with this.
Clearly the “War of Stars” developer was using unethical means, but aside from using a picture they did not own, I doubt there is anything in the game that is actually stolen property… And in this example I think to assume a game like this would get very high download numbers is selling the buying gameplayers short to assume they would fall for such blatant deception – but even IF it did result in a lot of initial downloads if the game is half as bad as I’m assuming it probably is, this will HURT this developer’s reputation and make it that much harder for them should they decide to make an honest attempt in the future.
At the end of the day quality is going to be the most important thing… No matter what marketing schemes or dirty tricks a potential developer employs, it will not result in SUSTAINING sales and fan bases if the quality is not there.
I personally see no issue with people getting a following for supplying to a demand. Evidently 10k people would like a fan based reboot/remake/tribute of MGS and the developers creating that deserve the following.
You also have to remember that developing a game based off a popular game comes with a lot of risk. Hardcore fans are the biggest critiques, If the reboot/remake/tribute is poorly executed the fans won’t hold back on saying so and the reputation of the developers could get slated or if executed well it could get them a good name which will help them when they go to develop another project.
Either way it is a not an instant win.
As Ironbelly said. We should be discouraging the unethical business practices used by many F2P games where evidently it’s not about creating a game the end user really enjoys. Its about how can they maximize income with giving users the very basics of a game or hiding the majority of a game behind a pay wall, among other things…
My advice to OP is not to waste time slating how other people are getting a following but more about how you are going to market and get a following for your game.
Final point its refreshing and awesome to see Konami being so relaxed about the developers you mentioned above using their IP.
Yo! Brunogruber. Just want to say that “Sole Survivor” looks awesome, from what I’ve seen on Facebook and your web site. Definitely will support your Kickstarter. I hope the conversation in this forum hasn’t thrown you off. It’s a frickin jungle out there. Gotta hide in the trees and get your work done. Keep your chin up, and keep at it bro.
There are allot of people who get started by copying (be it an art style, models or game type) other games, infact allot of artist do this to try and recreate and learn how to do things, this has been the way for the last 500 years (new student painters started off doing the smaller parts for the ‘old masters’ and then replicating what their masters did before going onto improve and innovate). Just because he has a facebook page with it up means **** all to me.
He has replicated what he set out to do and I’m sure he learnt a shed load whilst doing it, I saw allot of images on polycount quite a while ago and was quite impressed not once did I think “oh he’s stealing content and ideas just to make himself look great on his facebook page”.
Now on the flipside I’ve actually had stuff ripped from things I’ve put out and not only that but then put up for sale on places like gum road and turbosquid. What I find worse is the whole kit thing that is happening on steam where you see the same unity kit assets put together and sold hoping to cheat an unsuspecting person out of their $15, I think Jimqusition did a good piece on it but the unwary can buy some seriously bad games there now.
You’re coming off as really jealous.
If your game is good enough to stand it’ll stand. You’re trying to get a circle jerk going and to someone who’s been around the internet for all of their life it shows.
Instead of raging just close your eyes, calm down, and make your game.
The guy was recognized by Konami, and we all know overlord Konami are overprotective of their IP. If they didn’t blow a whistle you have no whistle to blow unless they directly stole assets from you, someone you know, or from a source you recognize. If not, fangames are a thing that will not go away no matter how many tantrums you throw.