Curious about the name, Contraption Maker

[Stargoat]

The name of the original game, 'The Incredible Machine', has a very... fun, experimental, mad scientist vibe to it. In comparison, 'Contraption Maker' is... bland, unromantic.

Why was this name chosen over something more interesting? At the moment, it almost feels as if, going by the name, it should belong in the 'serious' apps on steam. I don't doubt your ability to make a fun and compelling game; I'm a huge fan of the original... but there's something to be said for having a name which excites a potential buyer.

[jawapaw]

I am also a huge fan of the original The Incredible Machine but i think this is an great sequel to the original. I think it has a great name and it suits the series very well.

Yes, it is a completly different theme & name compared to The Incredible Machine but i think it is a great successor to the original.

[Tatrabbit]

I have to throw my two cents in here. I don't think the name "Contraption Maker" is a good name. I love the way it's turning out, already I'm having fun building stuff. But, the name doesn't suit it. When I first saw my friend start it up, "Now Playing Contraption Maker" popped up in the corner of my screen. Of course, I immediately thought it was an app or something along the lines of an art program or something. If it's too late to change the name displayed in Steam, perhaps adding an "unofficial" subtitle or something to make it more epic? Kind of like Garry's Mod has a boring name, but fans called it GMod, so whenever somebody says the official title "Garry's Mod", the unofficial name makes everything better. Forever.

[missbackpack]

I kinda like the name Contraption Maker.

[Adahop]

My honest immediate thoughts upon seeing its name scroll past when it was early-released on Steam was "Oh what was that? Another bland attempt at an Incredible Machine knock-off?" Needless to say, I was ECSTATIC once I clicked on the game and watched the videos, but that doesn't change my first impression based solely on the title.

[mikeydsc]

why not just call it what it is?? Rube Goldberg machines... Anyone know of a game with that title?
Maybe devs don't want to pay licensing fees for the use of the name.

[Ꝙ Ghosthunter Ꝙ]

Part of the devs are from the original TiM.


From what i understood, they had split. And apparently one of the guy purchased the licensing for it. All they did was an iOS game.

And then the others wanted to makle a new PC game for it. But had to use another name has they had not the right on the name and some content such the "woah" sound effect and 2-3 others.

[Retodon8]

It's less complicated than that.
I believe the rights to TIM, the name, logo, stuff around it, simply remained with Dynamix/Sierra.
It's the developers, the people, that are no longer working there, so no longer have access to the brand.
Sadly as a developer you generally have no right to anything you made, even if it was completely your own work, unless you're an indie, or on Kickstarter, or something like that.
The rights to anything in games usually don't belong to any one person, but rather to a company, or even several companies.
I guess it's actually more complicated rather than less.

In my opinion the "spirit" of the TIM games is a whole lot more important than the name, as much as I love the name "TIM" and the memories that go with it.

[Tatrabbit]

Yeah, I never meant they should find a way to use TIM. If they don't have the rights to it, it's no matter. Their game will still be what we know and love. But a lot of people, kids especially, have no memories of the game anyways. It needs a good name that makes you wanna play it.

And yes, the spirit of the game is more important when it comes down to it. But the name is the first thing to pitch the game. And sales make or break them as a publisher. If they can't sell their game, they can't make another, and then everyone loses.

[Ꝙ Ghosthunter Ꝙ]

The entire thing and property was acquired by Jeff Tunnell and PushButton Labs in october 2009

It's not to Dynamix/Sierra, it's to PushButton Labs. Which is made by devs that left Dynamix before.

So that's why. It's not to Dynamix/Sierra

引用自 Retodon8：

It's less complicated than that.
I believe the rights to TIM, the name, logo, stuff around it, simply remained with Dynamix/Sierra.
It's the developers, the people, that are no longer working there, so no longer have access to the brand.
Sadly as a developer you generally have no right to anything you made, even if it was completely your own work, unless you're an indie, or on Kickstarter, or something like that.
The rights to anything in games usually don't belong to any one person, but rather to a company, or even several companies.
I guess it's actually more complicated rather than less.

In my opinion the "spirit" of the TIM games is a whole lot more important than the name, as much as I love the name "TIM" and the memories that go with it.

[mendel]

Contraptionist Workshop.
I'd call it that, reflects the vision and sounds more wacky.

引用自 mikeydsc：

why not just call it what it is?? Rube Goldberg machines... Anyone know of a game with that title?

Just out: Rube Works, by David B Fox, who used to work for LucasArts back in the day.