I reached out with the same offer (I'm also very proficient in Python and other areas that could help). His/her reply through the middleman was essentially a threat of litigation, lol.
Which is why I have the stances of:
1) He/she will never hire help or do anything to build a team. Building a team and getting out faster updates is NOT the goal for them.
2) Fanmade works and creators should just...take it into their own hands. He/she has made plenty of lawsuit threats and they are as enforceable as they'd be if you were on The Moon. Which is to say they can't do shit if someone or some group decided to finish it themselves.
Sorry but L&P absolutely does not want help, even of free and not wanting credit or making any demands.
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Can't blame an artist being protective. And this game, L&P, is one of the strongest games out there.
But all things legal:
I don't see a copywrite, but I wonder if there is an implied copywrite in the terms of service? However, the logistics of hiring a lawyer, paying a lawyer, and court cost verse the revenue at stake is justified. Nevertheless, out of respect for the developer regardless of legal standing, people ought to respect L&P. Besides its just better strategy not to find out just what legal actions lurk in the weeds.
HOWEVER!!
Has anyone approached the developer and asked if they can make L&P 2.0 version with a promise of royalties as an opening offer? Now, I can see other reasons why the developer doesn't want anyone using L&P in any forum; first, that they don't want anyone to screw up the brand--that is a serious concern. So such an offer of royalties and direction as well as content approval could be asked. Think of the "Harry Potter" francize and J.K. Rowling... you don't want to get into any legal entanglements.
The other spinoffs I am finding are not from the developer as gaged by the quality or lack thereof in them. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the developer is rather pissed at them for being so low quality. Still, one can ask the developer and if the reply is "I'll Sue you into chapter 7 bankruptcy..." then you know the answer is no.
Perhaps any lawyers among us can better fill in the legal details