I’m currently at a stage in my project where enough is done on my project which I’m hoping to release Steam, and maybe other devices down the line as well, only need to get some sound and music in then there’s enough for trailers and gameplay videos.
The things which I was hoping for some information on would be, would I need to get copyrights for anything? I’m working on it by myself, have no business set up or anything and currently living in the UK, literally just been making it whilst living off the redundancy money from my last job (if all goes well with Greenlight, I would be hoping to launch a Kickstarter to pay for the time to finish the rest). I’ve not worked in this industry at all so any helps and pointers would be really much appreciated.
On another note, anyone know much about composing music for games whilst avoiding copyright from instrument samples etc? I’m currently using OpenMPT and trying to make my own samples using Audacity, but being as paranoid as I am feel as if one wrong person would hear one my tracks, instantly recognize a drum sound and sue me lol, but if any musicians could give me any pointers here as well it too would be much appreciated.
I’m not sure how it works in the UK, in the US you own copyright automatically without having to do anything extra, as long as you have a way to prove ownership (like the original files) then you’re fine.
For music, you need to look into the licensing agreements for that software. Likely you’re fine.
Thanks for the feedback, I’ve heard in numerous places that I should put in copyrights and stuff, and if that were the case, would I only do it after Greenlight if it were successful there.
I’m hoping to start putting videos up and announce its existence today or tomorrow as soon as it doesn’t sound horrific to the human ears so much anymore lol.
If you have a name for your game then you would file for Trademark which means you own that brand. You’ll have to check with UK copyright rules to see if you need to file some sort of copyright, I’m guessing you don’t.
From your experience, do you think it’s something I could hold out on until, lets say, post-Greenlight (if successful) or would you recommend putting in for a Trademark before posting anything about it? This is due to the costs and there’s always the possibility I could be trademarking something that could just plummit and never be heard of again as I find myself possibly back on an oil refinery (and that’s if I’m lucky lol).
trademarks and legal matters for your game are typically not super important (honestly) at this stage. At least in the US you can just be a sole prop with ease and if some mega corporation wants to steal your trademark they will regardless of your legal entitlement (because they can afford a large court battle).
They’re also super cheap to do and set up… you’re talking about like 100 dollars, total. So, you know, if it bothers you, get yourself a business ID and a trademark
Honestly, you’re probably worrying a lot over a very minor item - which is distracting you from marketing a greenlight/kickstarter project.
Thanks for the reply, yeah I might be overthinking it just a tad, I always think of the worst possible outcome, like copyright pirates scowering the internet for anything unmarked they can quickly take just for the sake of suing someone (I’m one of those type of people who’s luck will have me as that person it happens to lol), and I’ve heard in some places that getting the trademark for an indie game, even when just starting out is pretty much a must.
It’s not a big game by any stretch of the imagination, which is why I also thought perhaps I could get away without as well as my budget now is very limited, but just wanted to hear back from people who know understand this realm more than I and their personal experiences are with this sort of thing.
Nice facebook page by the way, some very nice visuals on there, I gave you guys a like.
