unforum

[Jim Sawyer]

New Game (Still in Idea's Stage)

[OhWhatProvidence]

There are unofficial ARGs, but most of them are looked down on since they aren't normally run well, at least in my experience.

http://forums.unfiction.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=34103
^ interesting discussion on copyright ect. The main problem with ARGs is that it belongs to the players, not the PMs. For example, an ARG I worked on for a bit had a player create a catchphrase for the game, and later one the PMs wanted to make it into a t-shirt, but they had to ask the player for permission since, well, the PMs didn't create the phrase, the player(s) did.

[Jim Sawyer]

Thanks for the link. I'm still wondering if my idea is different enough from the actual show (it only uses one or two guest characters and a weapon from the show) that it won't matter. Isn't there an allowance for things like this? I mean its in some ways just like a fan fiction but more interactive and I'm not making any profit from their ideas.

[OhWhatProvidence]

Eh, it's up to you to weight whatever risks there might be. If you think you're solid then go for it.

[MageSteff]

Using works that are covered by copywrite laws may apply. Some information may have been given a creative commons license where as long as you are not making money off the use, you are allowed to use the content, but I would say - if you are basing it off an existing show or story, that you contact the show or creator so that you do not make a couple mistakes:

1.) get mistaken as being officially sponsored, and being part of the cannon or story board of the show.

2.) use information or content which dilutes the original copywrite holder's rights. This can end up in sticky legal situations.

Additionally, if you have come up with a novel and interesting storyline, tthe show may provide you will additional information or products you can use to help flesh out your ARG (i.e. swag, bonus material).

You do not want to make enemies of the people you are trying to emulate. It creates bad feelinga all around - in the show you want to continue the story on, and in your players that became involved based on the impression that it was run by the folks that run the show.

[Jim Sawyer]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Probably won't pursue an ARG based on the established show, I'll try to be more original

[thebruce]

I think it depends on how transparent you are with your ARG. The more of a mystery it is as to whether it's grassroots or official, the more difficulty you may have keeping people immersed, and may even confuse people who expect official connections.

I don't think there are any legal issues, as really it's a form of fan-fiction just with interactive elements (as long as you follow typically fan-fic strategies of course)... I think you'd be good to go if, say, you had a disclaimer in some manner that it's not official or endorsed. It might not help to maximize your player community (many people won't care about unofficial stuff), but you could then really focus on your players who want to enjoy the experience and the story you're telling.

I say go for it... if it was a great show and there are diehard fans, I'm sure you'd get a good crowd of fan followers, plus ARGers who'd want to be a part of it

[Jim Sawyer]

Thanks theBruce, could you elaborate a little on what you mean by typical fan-fic strategies? The show is Chuck if you've seen it before. It's a very funny spy-fi drama... The spy/super villain theme was what I was hoping to emulate in the game relying on a small number of key plot points.

[OhWhatProvidence]

Chuck was based on a real experiment, at least partly, IIRC. You could use that as a basis of your story instead. I think it was something under the MK-ULTRA umbrella, or at least around that time period... there were lots of crazy experiments you can pick from: ULTRA and the hundreds of sub-projects, Project MONARCH, Project STARGATE, on and on...