
Fan games, in many cases, take elements from their original games without permission. These games, in many cases, are unofficial and not sold, but they are still subject to legal action by the original owners. The Dangers Of Fan GamesĪ new trend in gaming is the development of fan games, or games based on copyrighted properties such as movies and television shows. It may not always be easy, but it is worth it if you want to avoid costly legal consequences down the road. You must first obtain permission from the copyright holder before you can begin making a fan game based on that work. There are carve-outs for “fair use” in some jurisdictions that allow for parody and education purposes.įan games that are created without the permission of the game’s copyright owner are not only a violation of the game’s copyright, but they also run the risk of legal problems. Copyright infringement occurs if you are unable to obtain a license to use these ingredients in derivative works. Games are all about creativity, from sound to art assets to writing.

Following these tips should help you stay on the right side of the law when making a fan game. Do not use the original game’s name or branding in your fan game. Do not sell your fan game, or charge for it in any way.

Make sure your fan game does not include any copyrighted material from the original game, such as art, music, or code. This is usually the game developer or publisher. However, there are some general tips you can follow to make sure your fan game is legal: -Get permission from the copyright holder of the original game before you start making your fan game. Be inspired by fast-running animals all day, but the moment you say Sonic you've crossed a line you can't return from.There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the legalities of making a fan game will vary depending on the country you are in, and the game you are making a fan game of.

And if you ever want to be able to publish this broadly or monetize it, don't use Sega's IP. You should absolutely go ahead and make a game! Just keep your expectations realistic and you can both finish the project and avoid disappointment later. I'm not saying this to try to discourage you. Sega publishes games made by dozens or hundreds of experienced developers with big budgets, not individuals who are trying to avoid coding entirely.

I cannot stress enough how it's not a small number it is literally zero. The reason to not think about money is because it's going to distract you from actually making the game. They're very unlikely to do anything about it for multiple reasons, but permission and lack of consequences are different things. I want to be clear: you don't have the legal right to make a game without express written permission from the IP holder. I wouldn't take a YouTube comment from five years ago as legal permission.
