New Star Wars Online RPG...Can I make it? Legally?

Ok, first, not a clue where I should be posting this thread so I hope I chose right. *crosses fingers*

Second, like the title basically says, would it be legal for me to make a Star Wars online rpg (yes, similar to Galaxies, but different. Don't bug me about that little thing...)? I know that the corporations would go crazy if somebody just made another SW rpg out of the blue, so I'm guessing I shouldn't just go and make it. But if it is totally free, I'm not making a profit, yadda yadda, will they sue me?

If that is a definite yes, then I have another approach too. What if I mail LucasArts asking for rights to make the game? I would say that I will cover all costs to make it (resources, personnel, money, etc.) and if they want me to charge for it, they can can have all the profits. Basically, "I'll do everything, just don't sue me" type of letter. They wouldn't have to do anything, I will do everything, and they will get money for it if it gets big.

That is what has been eating away at me all day. What do you think?

 

It's illegal. You will get C&Ded and if you don't you will be sued. And LA will never let you do it.

 

Hi JanDeis,


I am a Lead Designer at Lucasfilm Ltd. (EDIT- No, he's not)I manage the project's design team while driving all design decisions from concept through to final implementation. I work closely with the Project Lead and other discipline leads to focus the creative process, evangelize design direction, and iterate on game play features throughout the entire project cycle.

Lucasfilm Ltd. and its affiliated and related entities are the exclusive owners of all rights in and to the Star Wars films and games, most specifically, Star Wars Galaxies for the PC. Movie properties include Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, and the STAR WARS character properties, including all the expanded universe material; which also includes the aforementioned title. Those motion pictures, video games, and the characters and unique elements which appear therein (the "STAR WARS Copyrights and Trademarks") are protected by the copyright and trademark laws of the United States and other nations.

Lucasfilm Ltd. is always looking for great ideas from people all around the world. We would be willing to discuss the potential possibility of a joint collaboration to establish the high level creative direction for the project and then use those core concepts to drive detailed game systems and content design.

Please let us know. You can reply further in this thread if you are interested.

Sincerely,


Lucasfilm Ltd.

LucasArts and the LucasArts logo are registered trademarks of Lucasfilm Ltd. © 2008 Lucasfilm Entertainment Company Ltd. or Lucasfilm Ltd. and (R) or TM as indicated. All rights reserved.

 

Hi MarcusP2,

This is not entirely true. Lucasfilm Ltd. is always looking for great ideas from people all around the world. If the game concept and structure is appealing enough, Lucasfilm Ltd. will be more than willing to collaborate with members of the public to bring gamers the greatest gaming experience.

 

What are your system Specs first of all mate?

Second, you'll probably have to download a new video card I dare say. People wont play your RPG if it's graphics aren't better than Galaxies'

 

You can download Hardware now?

 

Indeed you can, Unit-Zero. It's a revolutionizing and breakthrough technology-software. It is still in beta mode under the code name 'GTHOTB', which is Russian for 'pixel'. We use GTHOTB on some of our computers and servers.

 

Yea, downloadable video cards are a new experimental technology where it saves space in computer cases for more RAM and upgraded dial-up modems and other new-age hardwares. By converting the video card hardware to software we find operating systems, not to mention gaming runs more smoothly.

 

Wow. You learn something new every day I guess...

Thanks a lot Obi_Wan_01! So basically if I want to make something like that, I would work with you guys instead of just being let alone to tackle it on my own right? That would be even better! I just thought that you guys would just shrug off people like the rest of the companies do...

And my specs aren't top of the line (yet), but I'm working on it. I'm good for now for programming and modeling. Tests will hold on my PC for large games, but my computer would take a dump if I tried hosting a server off of it. Eventually, I'm planning on hosting a server separate from my PC out of my closet or something

Pretty much what my idea is for a new online Star Wars title is to give people a first-person viewpoint of what actually happened from the Clone Wars through to the end of the Galactic Civil War. Players would be able to change events, time would pass, and it would be about as realistic as you can get without actually inventing a lightsaber.

Also, Obi_Wan_01, if you would want more of my ideas without spoiling some things for the public, we could always communicate through email or PMs here on theforce.net

 

I already can not wait for this game.

Have you set a release date yet?

 

This is the only thing I was actually afraid to hear. Guess I asked for it putting this on the web though...

Thank you for the anticipation of the game, but right now (as you can see above) I'm trying to clarify legal stuff. After that, either I will be collaborating with LA on a new title which will be kept from the public until soon before its release, or I will be putting together a team to be working on this game. Even with that second option, I still wouldn't tell you when I will have it out.

If I give people a release date, I will feel rushed. If I feel rushed, there will be crappy parts to the game. People don't like crappy games. I want to make an un-crappy game. Get it? No public release date, but don't plan on anything soon though.

 

The secret, which you obviously don't realise yet JanDeis is that Star Wars is over with. Apart from one more Clone Wars movie, there will be no more large scale releases. It's essentially a dead commodity. And with you not giving a release date, not even a year expected, it doesn't give the public anything to hold on to or look forward to, thus they will lose interest, forget it, and you wont have an audience ready to pick it up when it is released* If you give them a year, 2012 for instance, at least they have something to look forward to and will watch with interest as you put it together. Game dates can always be postponed due to technical issues or the game not progressing as planned etc.

It's a shame you can't give a date... you may have already lost clients.

*I giggled a little.

 

I want to play this game now, though.

 

Exactly my point. People are into SW now, but that will fade. You should at least supply an estimated date for release or fans will simply not wait.

 

Well, seeing as I went to seek out permission before I even started anything (so as to not waste my time) I have nothing so far. Given that, even if I wanted to, I can't give you anything. The most I can give you is more ideas to make you drool a little more...

 

....I'll just say this:

 

Also, if anybody wants to help me at all with this, hop over to my forums and post your ideas. My hopeful title is Star Wars Universe. If anybody wants to leave any ideas for it, go over to those forums

((Sorry for the little advertisement there, now on to the better part of the post...))

I would also like to ask another question about the legality:
If I just go ahead and make this game, what laws would I be breaking that might get me into trouble with LA?

 

Are those boards in affiliation with the Lucas Arts boards or are they remaining separate for the time being?

 

For the time being, those boards have nothing to do with LA. Those are just the boards my brother and I have set up for online collaboration for this particular game concept. Hopefully, those boards (and other things I have up on the web at the moment concerning this same issue) will soon be affiliated with LA for joint collaboration on a future rpg title (like Obi_Wan_01 said above). For now,I have nothing to do with LA besides possible legal stuff that I'm trying to figure out mostly...

 

Please tell notify me when the first trailer comes out, I am looking forward to this title immensely.

 

That is your problem right there. You simply cannot use STAR WARS, they are trademarked and you'll get your arse sued and your mother will spank you till the cows come home for costing her THOUSANDS in court costs and legal battles.

edit: Also, you're not legally allowed to create RPG video games at the age of 17. You must be at least 21. It's like buying alcohol or cigarettes. So again, you're breaking the law by even thinking about creating an RPG at your age.

 

Well, like I said, you guys can look forward to it all you want, but there is no chance of it coming out soon. And, I won't be giving out any release dates because I don't want myself or anyone else working on this to feel rushed. All there is so far are possible ideas going into the game. Other than that, there is nothing done yet...

EDIT:

And that is why I'm asking. Thank you

 

So, apart from your age, the fact you cannot use the words "Star Wars", nor any likeness of ANY characters from the extended star wars universe, laser fire technology, light saber technology, hyperspace technology, or even the concept of "space" let alone this taking place a long time ago in a galaxy far far away... you're game will be nothing like anything to do with Star Wars, so how will you attract Star Wars fans and gamers? Preytell.

 

Well, people are drooling over this and I'm just asking about the legality of the matter. What do you think I would get if I advertised?