You need to get rid of megaman/mario sprites from the "template"

[JAGIELSKI]

Either make template a copy of one of the other styles or do some random tiles that aren't copyrighted. You may get in trouble otherwise and I don't want to see this game go because of something stupid like this.

[Mr Run and Jump]

I agree, this is something to be thought very carefully about. You do not want cease and desist letters. As your publisher PQube is involved, surely the team, Rich, publisher included - should have a legal meeting about this stuff if not discussed already. Maybe it's cleared already? But like Darkhog I'd be devastated if this was taken down.

Especially if down the line this game is published on Switch (even if console versions lack sprite editing) Nintendo will be aware of its PC counterpart.

I see it being impossible to stop copyrighted sprites being introduced by users, but it seems risky if YOUR team provided some assets yourselves (stated megaman/mario USER sprites).

Hopefully IP holders would understand the diff between what sheets platago offers, and what users eventually bring to the table.

[Banjo Oz]

I would really hate it if users weren't allowed to upload custom art based on existing IPs, or - worse - levels using those assets. As long as no money is charged, that should be allowed, IMO. "No sprite rips allowed" would kill this program for me, frankly.

That said, I totally agree that the official assets provided with PlataGo should be 100% original (and royalty free if used within PlataGo only), in the same way RPG Maker handles this.

This would be even more important when we hopefully eventually get an "export" feature to create standalone games; if a user does this and intends to sell it, the EULA should make clear that they must either use PlataGo sprites only or their own and not "rips" (again, RPG Maker is a good model for that).

Selling DLC packs of "officially licensed" stuff would be amazing, but I suspect few companies (especially Nintendo) would see the benefit, sadly.

[gemintronic]

AtariAge had a Super Mario Bros 2600 homage that got all the way to first sales before Nintendo brought in the cease & desist threats. Mind you all the graphics, sound and code was original. So, yeah. I know the usual attitude is to avoid all talk about the issue and hope it never happens. But, it happens. Lawyers intentionally pick the worst time to attack as well.

[Mr Run and Jump]

Platago certainly is one of the most unique cases. Life of pixel (super icon older game) has a dozen real systems/consoles. Yet that was published on wii u...

Obviously Platago follows suit with themes/systems.

I just have no idea where IP holders lawyers would swing - I mean it's not a single game, it's a tool game maker. Lawyers tend to say the problem is fangames 'misrepresent or threaten their IP'. And you CAN make games here.. At the very least I see it important we all think about it.

The marketing for Platago definitely focuses on this being a tool, so it may be all above board. (Except probably the Megaman/ Mario user assets in the game files )

[JAGIELSKI]

While using console's name and visual style is fine (otherwise Nintendo, being Nintendo and hating emulators would immediately go after ZSNES, SNES9x, Nestopia, etc. as well as indie games that use nes aesthetics such as Shovel Knight, for posterity: Almost wrote "Shove Night"), using characters from a established franchise, unless you have the permission, is a big no-no.

[SteveDH]

the graphics have been modified