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Dragons Lair

I never quite understand these projects, usually the very first step you would do is get the IP permission first! then start building the game. How it works in most industry's
 
I never quite understand these projects, usually the very first step you would do is get the IP permission first! then start building the game. How it works in most industry's
Yeh it's an odd one. Making a homebrew is one thing but trying to commercialise it will obviously get the attention of the IP holder.
 
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The arcade game is bad but it's mega iconic and at the time blew our minds. I love the art and humour etc. Cool theme
 
I never quite understand these projects, usually the very first step you would do is get the IP permission first! then start building the game. How it works in most industry's
Yeah it's nuts. I keep seeing people trying to remake Goldeneye in Unreal Engine. They don't seem to realise that Danjaq or Activision might actually be extremely fiercely protective of their IP's. I own a couple of IP's and would certainly not take kindly to anyone attempting to hijack them for their own ends.
 
A lot of people just don’t understand (or care) about the idea of IP. I can find stuff I own all over the internet.

People use terms such as “fair use” without any idea that they are trying to monetise someone else’s work.

Some firms are far better at defending it than others. I remember being told by a lawyer once “you don’t **** with the mouse” 😂

This project was clearly going to run into issues. Maybe they were naive enough to think if they had a working version they could seduce the owner into granting a licence.

I’ve actually never heard of the original game. Maybe there was a chance if they had reached out originally that they could have had a deal. I suspect that boat has long sailed.
 
A lot of people just don’t understand (or care) about the idea of IP. I can find stuff I own all over the internet.

People use terms such as “fair use” without any idea that they are trying to monetise someone else’s work.

Some firms are far better at defending it than others. I remember being told by a lawyer once “you don’t **** with the mouse” 😂

This project was clearly going to run into issues. Maybe they were naive enough to think if they had a working version they could seduce the owner into granting a licence.

I’ve actually never heard of the original game. Maybe there was a chance if they had reached out originally that they could have had a deal. I suspect that boat has long sailed.
The original game featured the 2D animations of the legendary Don Bluth. He's in his 80's now but he still owns the copyright to all his artwork. That's automatic. An artist doesn't even need to go through any kind of registration procedures. The name Dragons Lair doesn't appear to have been registered as a trademark. But his artwork is still copyrighted as I say. A German gambling machine company appears to have registered Dragon Lair as a name for use in casino machines about 10 years ago. If this company wanted to quietly register Dragons Lair for use as a pinball machine they probably could have got away with it unchallenged....but they still couldn't use the artwork. And it will still be copyrighted until at least 70 years after he dies.
 
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20 odd years ago I was offered a job at the National Archive. They wanted to exploit the stuff they had in terms of merchandise etc.

It all went a bit south when I pointed out that legally they either didn’t own it or it had now hit the public domain as it was way out of copyright date.

They couldn’t get their heads around the ideal that because they physically had an item they didn’t own all the rights to it. 😱they made a lot of noise about the need to protect their rights despite not actually having them. 😤

Needless to say I declined their employment offer.

(On a separate note I still remember as a young 22 year old having Bill Drummond have a total **** fit at me for daring to release the KLF/ENT 3am single despite having prior permission from him. Guess drugs and copyright make uneasy bedfellows)
 
20 odd years ago I was offered a job at the National Archive. They wanted to exploit the stuff they had in terms of merchandise etc.

It all went a bit south when I pointed out that legally they either didn’t own it or it had now hit the public domain as it was way out of copyright date.

They couldn’t get their heads around the ideal that because they physically had an item they didn’t own all the rights to it. 😱they made a lot of noise about the need to protect their rights despite not actually having them. 😤

Needless to say I declined their employment offer.

(On a separate note I still remember as a young 22 year old having Bill Drummond have a total **** fit at me for daring to release the KLF/ENT 3am single despite having prior permission from him. Guess drugs and copyright make uneasy bedfellows)
Jesus christ dude. Just the letters KLF is enough to give me severe trippy flashbacks! That should come with a warning!
 
If i was making a home brew game (yes, I am considering - Rush/Prince/Van Halen - one of the three) - I would just make one for me. If you have any idea about even selling one then you will be in the poop.

Best thing to do with a home-brew pinball is keep it fairly underwraps.
 
If i was making a home brew game (yes, I am considering - Rush/Prince/Van Halen - one of the three) - I would just make one for me. If you have any idea about even selling one then you will be in the poop.

Best thing to do with a home-brew pinball is keep it fairly underwraps.
Yup no one cares what people do they in there own home, it’s the second you try and sell it as a commercial product they get upset.
 
Is there open source software that exist, to program the design, flow, rules and logic of a pinball?

Is there available information or project that could guide in the creation of a home-brewed pinball? Sourcing parts? Creating a playfield? Which boards to use? etc.
 
Is there open source software that exist, to program the design, flow, rules and logic of a pinball?

Is there available information or project that could guide in the creation of a home-brewed pinball? Sourcing parts? Creating a playfield? Which boards to use? etc.
There are a few but I think the biggest / well known is https://missionpinball.org/

Boards sets can be Fast / P Roc
 
Is there open source software that exist, to program the design, flow, rules and logic of a pinball?

Is there available information or project that could guide in the creation of a home-brewed pinball? Sourcing parts? Creating a playfield? Which boards to use? etc.

Do you know members who did that?
Forbidden Planet runs mpf and proc. Crazy mansion runs fast. Both and more at the upcoming show.
 
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