Can I post a pokemon game (fan-made) as a free to play?

[Debbo]

Hi, I bought RPG Maker VX Ace some time ago on Steam.

I'm working on a project where I downloaded the material (sprites, music, etc) from internet about pokemon.
I later changed sprites changing some pixels (redefining the size) and changing some colors, adapting old sprite of pokemon taken freely from the Internet, to the version of Rpg Maker Vx Ace.

Theoretically, by changing a few pixels and colors I am free of copyright of Nintendo and I am free (theoretically) to publish my game to a certain price.


Anyway, although this is right or wrong, when I complete the game, I will be able to publish the game as a fan-made fre-to-play on Steam without running the risk of violations?

[MaxBedlam]

You're not free of copyright lol. But you're allowed to release the game for free. You would have been allowed to release it for free even if you didn't change anything.

Pretty sure you can't release it on steam though.

[BoloWolf]

I guess you might try putting it on workshop but even that may be not allowed legally.

[Kio Kurashi]

I'm sure that the sprites are still obviously pokemon or you wouldn't be asking this so you haven't butchered them enough to claim them as your own. This means you can't sell it. Futhermore, the sprites that you got "freely from the Internet" weren't endorsed by Nintendo and were rips to begin with making them illegal right off the bat. Sorry but the answer is no. You can't sell your game copyright free.

[Debbo]

I do not intend to sell the game. I mean just starting a greenlight for my game (when it will be complete) of steam as a free-to-play (fan-mode) without asking for any payment (without even the shop in game). I intend to publish the game "completely" free. This is possible on steam or not?

[Marmalade Chainsaw]

You would have to obtain permission from the copyright holders to publish it on Steam, free or otherwise.

[Calb]

Technically, and this is from someone who is currently in-school to be a developer, from what i have learned about legality... if it in anyway is based off / resembles / or spins-off of a well established brand that you do not own or have expressed consent for, you probably should not do it.

At the very least, somewhere in your credits and mentions put "This is a fan-made project, i do not own Pokemon or gamefreak, yada yada"

[kittylitterproduction]

Can you afford the rights owners to drag you to court because you just could not keep yourself from publishing and advertising your little infringement where they could not avoid seeing it and had to take action? Like one of the world's most popular and widely used game distribution platforms?

[Kio Kurashi]

Originally posted by Calb:

Technically, and this is from someone who is currently in-school to be a developer, from what i have learned about legality... if it in anyway is based off / resembles / or spins-off of a well established brand that you do not own or have expressed consent for, you probably should not do it.

At the very least, somewhere in your credits and mentions put "This is a fan-made project, i do not own Pokemon or gamefreak, yada yada"

That's not even something you need to go to school to know. Just hanging around dev comunities will easily tell you that. Of course this assumes that your common sense was adjusted via surrounding as I believe is the cause of why "common" sense isn't as common as it should be.

Originally posted by Debbo:

I do not intend to sell the game.

Really? Wonder where we mightive not noticed that.

Originally posted by Debbo:

Theoretically, by changing a few pixels and colors I am free of copyright of Nintendo and I am free (theoretically) to publish my game to a certain price.

FYI I did read the whole post and knew all along that you didn't plan to sell the game. THe answer, as I'm sure you've noticed, remains no.

[Debbo]

Ok I understand it, thanks for your interest, I believe that once the game is complete I will try share it only to close friends, or maybe post it on the Internet if there was some website that provides the service to publish the free games with third party material for illustration purposes only.

[Kio Kurashi]

Originally posted by Debbo:

or maybe post it on the Internet if there was some website that provides the service to publish the free games with third party material for illustration purposes only.

Try Wikia as there may be someone who has done just that.

[Shadow]

The answer to the OP is no.
There is no such thing as "legal fan game" when it comes to Nintendo and Pokemon.
You break the law on copyright if use any original work AND by using the word Pokemon you break the law again because you use a registered Trademark (that's different from copyright).

(Hi Kurashi)

[BoloWolf]

Does anyone know if such things are OK to put on workshop? I saw FNAF inspired games for example, can they be sued or taken down by copyright holders?

[MaxBedlam]

You could just make a free website, upload the game on one of the free file hosting websites and then provide the link for download on your website.

If you want more people to know about your game make a thread about it on forums made by pokemon fans, add it to IndieDatabase, add it to wiki that has a list of fan-made pokemon games.

There are lots of free fan-made pokemon games out there, there are even some pokemon "mmorpgs" made by fans.

[Debbo]

This is fine for me.
Thank 'Chibi Cthulhu' and 'Kurashi' for explanations of Wikia and IndieDB.
I really think this is the best alternative solution about the release of the game.
I will not take any merit regarding the graphics and sounds of the game, I just want to publish the work I'm doing with commitment, on RPG Maker and know what the players think.
I just want to test my skills in using RPG Maker, anything else.