Guildwars based Fan Games - Guild Wars Forums

Chewbacca Defense · Sep 08, 2006, 06:54 PM // 18:54

Hey all,

I'm planning on writing an 2-D Side Scroller arcade game based around Guildwars. The game will be open sourced and free, etc...

However, before I start this endevor, what legal things do I need to do? For example, if I use the word Mesmer in the game, is there possibility for law suit, etc...

All the art in the game will be original, however, it will have a 2-D representation of all the available classes in GW. So if it sort of looks like them, but not exactly the same, do I need permission from Anet?

If anyone from Anet knows what kind of legal stuff I'd have to go through, it would be greatly appreciated if you could help me out.

Retribution X · Sep 08, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19

You shouldn't have any problems, unless you use any of their specific artwork/skills. The names are words in the dictonary.

Ask Gaile. Chances are, Anet might like the publicity they would get.

The Pointless · Sep 08, 2006, 07:43 PM // 19:43

Mesmer's made up, methinks. Derived from the word Mesmerise, but made up nonetheless.

LouAl · Sep 08, 2006, 07:58 PM // 19:58

the word Mesmer is made up, but not by Anet.

Franz Mesmer lived from 1734-1815 (a psychiatrist). I think he lived before GW, but I am not sure...it is all hazy before GW came out.

There is a movie called Mesmer (about Franz Mesmer) that was released in '94

there is a company called Mesmer not sure what they do...

My advice is to ask Gaile or Alex and see if they (Anet) would be upset regardless of who made up the word (of course that is what you were doing, but oh well)

Tyggen · Sep 08, 2006, 08:14 PM // 20:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retribution X

Ask Gaile. Chances are, Anet might like the publicity they would get.

They'd be stupid not to...

I'm not completely steady on copyright laws, but I think as long as you make it completely free you can decide pretty freely what to use without stepping on anyones toes.

Lord Aro · Sep 08, 2006, 09:19 PM // 21:19

Only reason I know of that would make them dislike it is if the end result was really bad.

Normally companies don't mind fan made things like minigames. Just as long as you give credit and don't claim source content as your own. Easy way to get an idea of what info to put down for credit is to download the web kit. (Normally a blurb saying it's their stuff and a link to the GW website.)

xiao1985 · Sep 09, 2006, 04:14 AM // 04:14

agreed... i believe as long as you made it clear that it's a free open sources fan game of GW, and it's not for profit, i believe you should be fine...

after all, if those are not fine, then millions fan pages on the net would have their *** sued off...

Sep 08, 2006, 06:54 PM // 18:54	#1
Chewbacca Defense Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 667 Neighbour of the Beast Guild: Ttgr	Guildwars based Fan Games Hey all, I'm planning on writing an 2-D Side Scroller arcade game based around Guildwars. The game will be open sourced and free, etc... However, before I start this endevor, what legal things do I need to do? For example, if I use the word Mesmer in the game, is there possibility for law suit, etc... All the art in the game will be original, however, it will have a 2-D representation of all the available classes in GW. So if it sort of looks like them, but not exactly the same, do I need permission from Anet? If anyone from Anet knows what kind of legal stuff I'd have to go through, it would be greatly appreciated if you could help me out.

Sep 08, 2006, 07:58 PM // 19:58	#4
LouAl Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Dec 2005	the word Mesmer is made up, but not by Anet. Franz Mesmer lived from 1734-1815 (a psychiatrist). I think he lived before GW, but I am not sure...it is all hazy before GW came out. There is a movie called Mesmer (about Franz Mesmer) that was released in '94 there is a company called Mesmer not sure what they do... My advice is to ask Gaile or Alex and see if they (Anet) would be upset regardless of who made up the word (of course that is what you were doing, but oh well) Last edited by LouAl; Sep 08, 2006 at 08:00 PM // 20:00..

Sep 08, 2006, 07:19 PM // 19:19	#2
Retribution X Desert Nomad Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Check behind you again. Profession: N/	You shouldn't have any problems, unless you use any of their specific artwork/skills. The names are words in the dictonary. Ask Gaile. Chances are, Anet might like the publicity they would get.

Sep 08, 2006, 07:43 PM // 19:43	#3
The Pointless Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Stuck in the UK Guild: Rage International [RAGE] Profession: W/Me	Mesmer's made up, methinks. Derived from the word Mesmerise, but made up nonetheless.

Sep 08, 2006, 09:19 PM // 21:19	#6
Lord Aro Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: /wiki user:aro Guild: DBU Profession: E/	Only reason I know of that would make them dislike it is if the end result was really bad. Normally companies don't mind fan made things like minigames. Just as long as you give credit and don't claim source content as your own. Easy way to get an idea of what info to put down for credit is to download the web kit. (Normally a blurb saying it's their stuff and a link to the GW website.)

Sep 09, 2006, 04:14 AM // 04:14	#7
xiao1985 Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Nov 2005	agreed... i believe as long as you made it clear that it's a free open sources fan game of GW, and it's not for profit, i believe you should be fine... after all, if those are not fine, then millions fan pages on the net would have their *** sued off...