Video Game Copying

[Blu-RayDisc+50GB]

Hey there, I was looking for some advice. Is it legal to copy game designs from other games? For example: if I was designing a level that was gonna be used in a game that was very similar to a level in God of War 1, would I be able to do that? Or would it be illegal? I'm not planning on getting involved with any new game but I was simply curious. Like, in the challenge of hades in God of War, the top level features an obstacle course where you are high above the ground and you have to balance on narrow balance beams and at the same time dodge spinning axes and saws. If I were designing a level for a game, would making a design similar to this be legal?


Here is a video of someone on YouTube playing through the level. It's called the "Blades of Hades":

 

[everettT]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright

 

[markw]

http://time.com/3528555/led-zeppelin-loses-first-round-in-stairway-to-heaven-lawsuit/

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Dear OP, I'd safely skip above links and focus on this one:
http://www.mathpirate.net/log/2009/10/18/electronic-curiosities-pac-man-vs-k-c-munchkin/
and here:
http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/187385/clone_wars_the_five_most_.php

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

http://time.com/3528555/led-zeppelin-loses-first-round-in-stairway-to-heaven-lawsuit/

yes, another copyright case, but completely irrelevant to video games. Besides I strongly suspect Led Zep is going to win this one. The claim is far fetched and songs music is different, besides few minor technicalities which are not uncommon.
/Offtopic

 

[j_garcia]

Take what was done before as an inspiration and do something new. If you are going for the same demographic and you copy it too closely, players will recognize it immediately and the game will not go over well.

 

[Blu-RayDisc+50GB]

Take what was done before as an inspiration and do something new. If you are going for the same demographic and you copy it too closely, players will recognize it immediately and the game will not go over well.

So, for example, the blades of hades have 4 wooden logs spinning them. If I made a design where there is a UFO spinning the blades with it's beam, would that be acceptable? The blades in my design would be different too, there would be a saw blade at the end, axes on the sides and knives at the top.

 

[Blu-RayDisc+50GB]

Take what was done before as an inspiration and do something new. If you are going for the same demographic and you copy it too closely, players will recognize it immediately and the game will not go over well.

The Chamber of Hades has brown and red walls in it. If my level design was similar but with black walls, would that be acceptable? At the top of the stairway, there is a structure of hades face. If I had my face like that, would it be too similar. Sorry for all the questions but I'm a bit worked up lol.

 

[markw]

We can't say what's acceptable or not. We're not lawyers and they don't guarantee results.

But, if it makes you feel any better, nobody will care if there's no money involved.

And, if there is money to be had and someone notices, anybody can sue for whatever they want.

Whether they win or not is a crap shoot