Question about using an existing series in a game

[Toram Eldin]

First off, if this is in the wrong category, I apologize. Wasn't entirely sure where to place it and figured this might be the best place.

I've been thinking of making a game of sorts and had a question about it (though I'm sure I will have other questions eventually as well). How would using an existing series (Wheel of Time) in a VN or game work? As long as I clarify it's a parody and I'm not actually selling the game would that be good enough? Though I've heard of other companies removing games even with those criteria, so I'm really not sure if it's just up to the discretion of the company, or if it would be fine just so long as they aren't aware of it. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

 

[AnimeKing314]

You're most likely fine but it also depends on where you (and the series) are based. If you're in the US then it most likely falls under fair use and they wouldn't really be able to do anything about it. Outside of that you'd have to check copyright laws both for where you are and where the series was made. Even then though, chances of the company actually finding out and caring enough are low.

 

[Toram Eldin]

Yeah, I'm in the US and so is the series. Thanks for the answer. I was just curious, given the Amazon series coming out in November so the series may get more popularity and have people watching for things like this. But, I suppose I can give it a shot and the worst that happens is they tell me to stop it.

 

[G60LADDER]

Parody laws, at least in the US, are fairly nuanced and can be difficult to navigate if you want to ensure your project doesn't get taken down. Extreme basics is don't monetize it and make sure it's a clear parody that has no relation to the original IP. Simply having nudity or same sex relations in your game isn't enough, because that's already been clearly established in WOT's canon. Using names like Rand, Elayne, Nynaeve, Graendal (even if she would be a fantastic use case for an AVN) etc will raise red flags much quicker than using your own made up names in the same universe. I don't live in the US but have looked a little bit into the respective laws for my own project, just as a CYA situation.

All that said, I'm a big fan of WOT. If you ever want help on the plot/story telling aspect of things, don't hesitate to hit me up. I've done fan fiction for it before and would enjoy doing it again.

 

[Toram Eldin]

Do you think that using less known names would have the same result as the main characters? For example, something like Toram Eldin. A name I've been using for years for an RP character. Got the Toram from Toram Riatin, then the Eldin part from some random Andoran family that I don't remember reading about yet was in a list of characters.

Besides that, the only other actual names I'd use would be cities and things like that. However, I've toyed with the idea before of having my character be in some PSW or something, so city names could be just about anything. With that said, though, I could always just use a WoT name generator to produce stuff, then for cities either use random names or just piece together some Old Tongue.

As for the offer of help, it's appreciated and I'll keep it in mind. I was thinking of using Toram's backstory as the plot. Basically, an innkeeper's son that wants to travel, becomes an Asha'man, then near the Final Battle something goes awry with a Gateway and he awakes in another realm/dimension/whatever and spends a long time trying to figure out how to get home, with many adventures and sexy times ensuing in the process.

If you'd like, I could send you some links to see some of the stuff for him.

Oh, also. Part of the reason I ask and don't immediately assume a no, is that the rp forum on dragonmount (last I knew anyway) was allowed to function with no interference. Possibly because they placed it in a PSW and changed all the main characters names and some of their history.

 

[G60LADDER]

I don't personally see an issue with the character name. It's not Rand al'Thor, after all. You can probably get away with using existing city names and races without issue. I'm not sure if their lawyers would get that anal about IP infringement, but setting it in a different portal world or turning of the wheel will definitely help you keep it away from any issues of the current book and tv series. Actually, naming your series something like "A Turning of the Wheel" will help those in the know to realize what the game is referring to, but it's vague enough that you don't have to worry as much than if you named it "Wheel of Time: A Rand al'Thor Harem Porn Trainer." Dragonmount's RP game can get away with it because they're not monetizing it, nor are they trying to change any existing lore. I used to be part of a similar WOT rp board that was set in the original universe in the early 2000's. Been trying to find it again for months now but I'm guessing it got taken down, especially since Dragonmount is using the portal world aspect.

Your plot sounds good enough for a decent story. Keep away from any obvious references to someone like Logain (just use generic names for the leader of your band, or reference main characters just without using their names) and you should be fine. I'd definitely be interested in checking out your character. I've also got my old character sheets and half of the rp story on my server if you'd like at least one or two pre written characters to throw into your story at some point (warder trainee, tower novice, and an ashaman.)

 

[Toram Eldin]

Right lol. I'll definitely be avoiding any real WoT references in the title. Depending on if it will be episodic or not, I've already got one name thought of for the first installment. "Into the jaws of the Dragon." That was the title of the thread I first posted in with him. Your suggestion is good, too, though I feel as if I've seen it somewhere before. Not going to get too far into all that yet though as I'm still trying to think up the basic stuff first.

For important names, I'll definitely be using ones not from the book. About the links, I'll message you with them after a while. Bit busy now doing things and it'd take me a bit to find all the links and make sure they aren't dead or anything. But I'll have his character sheet, some writing examples (Think I got a couple of fight scenes and an incomplete dream scene, I'll have to check), and such things. Might even post the profile code I have for him so you can get an idea of his aesthetic and such.

For anyone else that may be reading this, I'm still open to suggestions, advice, and other things.

Oh, one more thing for now. I'm currently working with a laptop (Don't ask specs, it'd make me feel embarrassed. Just suffice it to say I can definitely use an upgrade.) that might be able to run Koikatsu, but most likely I can't use Honey Select or Daz to make art for it as far as I know. I know the whole anime look won't really fit the setting, but gotta work with what you have, right?

 

[Deathlore421]

Honey Select is only marginally more tough to run than Koi, in my experience, and it would fit your story better. That said, if your specs really are pretty low, I would try to use as few animations as possible in game.

 

[Droid Productions]

Honey Select (1, at least) would probably work quite okay on most laptops. DAZ is not recommended, though (several devs have literally bricked their laptops, as the constant rendering melted the thermal paste on the GPU).

 

[Toram Eldin]

Oh, wow. I didn't even realize there were more posts on here at all. Be nice if they notified you if a thread you started had posts added to it. Not only that but one from what is likely my favorite dev on here?

Honey Select is only marginally more tough to run than Koi, in my experience, and it would fit your story better. That said, if your specs really are pretty low, I would try to use as few animations as possible in game.

Yeah, I already planned on just doing still images rather than animations regardless. At least for this first attempt I should say.

Honey Select (1, at least) would probably work quite okay on most laptops. DAZ is not recommended, though (several devs have literally bricked their laptops, as the constant rendering melted the thermal paste on the GPU).

After looking up the requirements for HS 1, I may be able to use that as well. With me being laid off from work, for now, I suppose this will be as good a time as any to work on this idea.

As far as if I'll be able to run HS and whatnot, I'll add my specs here I suppose.

Spoiler: specs

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[Tarazer]

Did this game ever happen?