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Liszt
31-05-2008, 10:22 PM
I need you help son...

... is anyone interested in making a Monkey Island fangame? I can only organise such an event and as a composer I can only write the music for it.

SHOULD anyone be interested, please write here. I need:

- a project manager (who looks into this thread and organise the crew)
- a programming leader (who will do most of the programming or at least the framework)
- a lead artist (who makes sure all the graphics look good)
- animators
- voice artist (auditions, please private message me)


SHOULD anyone be willing to help, please private message me! I will put you on the list for a crew. And SHOULD anyone be interested, I will ask Gabriel Schenk (from www.scummbar.com) and big guy Gabez to write a script for us.

As for me, I will assemble a crew and compose the music.

The way I see it, this might turn out to be a 2d adventure.

SHOULD the game finalise and be completed, it would be a free game (to be downloaded from Scummbar.com - where it will be noticed by the rest of the world).

Quite an opus! Hope to see participants soon.

IF you want to sign up for this prodject, PLEASE PRIVATE MESSAGE ME!

Look! It's a three headed monkey!

Thaumaturge
31-05-2008, 11:33 PM
Why not let people post their interest here? If people are interested, their interest might encourage others. ;)

Agrajag
31-05-2008, 11:40 PM
I think you might have problems in terms of copyright infringement, it might be wise to look out for that. Perhaps we could have a very similar looking game that is very obviously paying tribute to Monkey Island while still actually being original in terms of names.

Anywho, I don't think I would be the most useful at most of those fields but I am willing to take a shot at the voice acting. I can't do lots of voices like some prefessionals but I can do my own voice and I don't mind making a fool of myself. Also if you want a hand with the composition/performing of the music I am interested in that.

GeometriX
01-06-2008, 12:06 AM
I'd be happy to contribute my 3D skills, but I won't have time for anything of the lead artist variety. If you can organise someone to do that (preferably someone with pixel art abilities, who can take 3D renders and make them compatible), as well as a person who can co-ordinate/standardise/direct the artwork then I'm quite happy to contribute.

Like I said to Gazza in his thread, I need to get some architectural stuff in my porti, so buildings, towns, forests, harbours, beaches, whatever is needed - I can provide. And, in case it's a concern, I can make 3D stuff look retro-adventure-game (a quick dose of Photoshopping on top of the render can go a long way).

Character animation is probably best left to the pixel artists though - the transition from 3D to old-school-style sprites is usually rather poor when it comes to characters.

Fengol
01-06-2008, 06:14 AM
If it wasn't for the fact that I've just come from the Game.Dev devLAN with wide eyes about the possibilities of networked games; I'd offer to help with a monkey island fan game (@ Agrajag: I don't think you need to worry about copyright infringement until you actually have a game and intend selling it).

@Liszt: Can I suggest before you start working with a lead programmer to build you a framework, you play around with Adventure Game Studio (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/)? This tool allows you to build Lucasarts style games quite easily; just look at the Gazza_N's Mr. Stickly's Ossum Quest (http://forums.tidemedia.co.za/nag/showthread.php?t=2760). Maybe ask Gazza_N for his source and see if you can add music to it.

On a last thought, since this is your idea, why aren't you project manager?

Thaumaturge
01-06-2008, 08:07 AM
(@ Agrajag: I don't think you need to worry about copyright infringement until you actually have a game and intend selling it).

Actually, I believe that that's not true.

(The following comes from a few sources; GameDev.Net is a major one, and I think that I've read through at least some of the last-linked-to article below, and I've gathered a few tidbits about individual games along the way, as I recall.)

While a small, unsold game might slip under the IP owner's radar, or be ignored, to the best of my knowledge it's still legally copyright infringement, and the IP owner can very well send a cease and desist order. If the game becomes big, and at all well-known, the probability of this becomes higher, I daresay, even if you're not planning on selling it.

I believe that other free fan games have been sent cease and desist letters; I seem to recall that the King's Quest fan game "The Silver Lining" (http://www.tsl-game.com/home.php) was sent one, but ended up getting permission to continue under certain conditions (one, I believe, being the removal of the name "King's Quest" from the title). (See here. (http://www.tsl-game.com/info/faq/#genC)) I believe that those making (http://www.agdinteractive.com/) the Quest for Glory 2 VGA remake also have some sort of deal with Vivendi Universal, based on some of what I've read on their forums. (From what I gather that only came about after they released their second King's Quest remake, after which VU apparently contacted them According to Anonymous Game Creator 2 (one of the people behind AGD, I believe), "We were really just very lucky." (http://www.agdiforums.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10559&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=cease+desist&sid=d370c2176f8a849a0aeb396174626528)

This article might provide more information. (http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html)

Naturally, much of the above will be most directly relevant to American copyright law, but I doubt that ours is much different in the relevant areas; Dislekcia, do you know?

Of course, if this game remains small enough that Lucasarts (the IP holders here, if I'm not much mistaken) don't notice, or if they have a policy of allowing such things, then that's another matter, in this specific case, at least. ^_^

Fengol
01-06-2008, 08:14 AM
again, until you actual HAVE something, I wouldn't worry. Although this is my personal opinion, I can't see Lucasarts sending a cease-and-desist order until you actually have a line of code written.

Currently what we have here is forum banter, valuable only to forum trolls.

Liszt
01-06-2008, 12:00 PM
Previous fan games HAVE been made. They are all legal, but only did I one person (which tends to bring down the quality).

- You may not put copyright on the game (and thus, the game should be free).
- You may not use any matrial from the original game (scenes, voices, music ect). They are copyrighted.
- Making a FAN game is not illegal since we do only USE the name and we are not making money out of it OR putting copyright on it.

Most important, if we can create a high quality game it also may encourage Lucasarts to make a Monkey Island game BEFORE 2014 (when the official Monkey5 is supposed to be developed).

I wil be prodject leader (assemble you and keep everything togeather). I still need various artist.

Can we do a 3d game from a 2d viewpoint or a 2d game in 2d viewpoint or can we do a COMPLETELY 3d game? I think the first optition would be best.

I need artist - 2d or 3d and LOADS of them! Sound artist, voice actors and programmers to set things right. I am only an orginiser (project leader) keeping everything togeather. And, of course, the music!

Thaumaturge
01-06-2008, 06:41 PM
again, until you actual HAVE something, I wouldn't worry. Although this is my personal opinion, I can't see Lucasarts sending a cease-and-desist order until you actually have a line of code written.

True, until this actually becomes an active project, there's not likely to be anything to worry about. However, my impression is that Liszt wants to bring this to fruition, so I'm concerned about matters that may become important should he succeed.

Similarly, shouldn't one plan ahead for such matters if one wants to make a project a reality?

Liszt, I'm pretty sure that you're incorrect, and I'm pretty sure that the links that I gave above support that. (This is not meant as flaming, please note - I'd rather you didn't get well into a really good project, only to be hit with a cease and desist letter. If you did, you might manage to negotiate a deal with Lucasarts, but I don't think that you should count on that.)

For example, number two from the article that I linked-to on common myths about copyright (http://www.templetons.com/brad/copymyths.html):
'2) "If I don't charge for it, it's not a violation."
False. <...> It's still a violation if you give it away'

Similarly, have a look at number six:
'6) "If I make up my own stories, but base them on another work, my new work belongs to me."
False. U.S. Copyright law is quite explicit that the making of what are called "derivative works" -- works based or derived from another copyrighted work -- is the exclusive province of the owner of the original work.'

(I believe that number six applies too to works that use their own art, but characters, settings etc. created by others.)

Finally, that others get away with something does not imply that it is actually legal.

To give a more direct example, I'm pretty sure that the King's Quest fan-game that I linked-to above doesn't (directly, at least) use the assets of the original King's Quest series. (While I think that they do use screenshots from the original games as a starting point, I'm pretty sure that they then produce their own models and images with the originals as references.) They nevertheless received a cease and desist letter, as I recall.


Can we do a 3d game from a 2d viewpoint or a 2d game in 2d viewpoint or can we do a COMPLETELY 3d game? I think the first optition would be best.

If you're happy with 2D, and especially if you're going for a "classic game" feel, then I would second the suggestion of Adventure Game Studio (http://www.bigbluecup.com/). If you want "2.5D" (that is, 3D characters against a 2D background), then I'd suggest the Wintermute Engine (http://dead-code.org/home/); I found it harder to get into (or at least, as it was when I used it - it may have changed), but I suspect that it's more powerful, and does, as I recall, offer 2.5D functionality.

As to full 3D, that's likely to be less simple; you could perhaps look for a good 3D engine (I'm doing that myself as it happens), or, if your programmers so desire, build it up from component engines (such as OGRE for graphics). They could, I suppose, code from all but "scratch", but it's probably better to go with an engine or engines. ;)

Liszt
02-06-2008, 06:02 AM
__________________
MWAHAHAHA!!!

*ahem* Sorry

(I violated a rule - quoting your Signature!)

Oh, what a glorious thing to be a pirate king!

Now what? Now is your undoing evil one! NOW if the time foretold in the ancient prophecies of Monkey Island... (Ozzie and Jojo)!!! Thank you for your insight. I believe we might change the name - From Monkey Island to Gusburush something something something... music leads to a Crescendo... (ending with the right foot) and STRIKE A FOSSE (*ahem* Sorry ).

It is decided then. A 2d game. Yay! AGS would work fine! Who is with me?

Thaumaturge
02-06-2008, 06:22 AM
Changing the names should work, for the most part, at least. I'm not sure how much else should be changed - you might want to make the relationships at least slightly different, for safety's sake, for example. To take a fairly extreme example, I'm not absolutely sure that having a game that is effectively identical to the original Monkey Island, but with the names changed, is quite enough.

In any case, mixing things about a little might help the humour, especially for those who recognise the references to Monkey Island. Think, for example, of the protagonist's affections for the governor being the unwanted ones. Taking it a little further, perhaps she's in fact a villain with an effective front of seeming-niceness, who is in fact in love with the undead villain. Perhaps she herself is the undead villain. There are probably better changes that can be made, but those should get the idea across, I suspect. ^_^

Oh, and if you do have a character - main or not - with a name such as you suggested, may I suggest a little lampshade hanging (I think that the term applies here), with at least one - preferably many - either thinking the name familiar or outright mistaking the character for Guybrush (albeit, for safety's sake, probably not by name). ;)

As to helping, I'm afraid that I have plenty on my plate already, and I'm only likely to be adding more, especially with so interesting a new competition having started, I'm afraid. ^^;;


Now is your undoing evil one!

Never! How little you know of evil... In the words of villains everywhere: You haven't heard the last of meeee! ;P

GeometriX
02-06-2008, 11:09 AM
Just make the game about Guybrush and Elaine's good-for-nothing son or daughter - now off to discover his/her own high seas adventures. You don't need to give them a surname, but obviously there should be plenty of references, you're not stealing from existing IP, and you've got the freedom to craft a story that is taking cues from the first games, but still as original as you'd like to make it.

Monkey Island's humour has always been about taking the **** out of (yet still honouring) existing stories and mythologies, so I see little reason why the tribute shouldn't do exactly that to the original.

Liszt
02-06-2008, 03:40 PM
A story played by the son would be very different. Nah. The children might be included, but you won't play as lil Guybrush. That is far fetched!

I want these characters back:

- Largo LeGrand
- The Harbour Mistress
- Carla and Otis
- Mr Cheese
- The Dainty Lady
- Stan
- Guybrush and Elaine (of course)
- Grandpa Marley
- The Cannibals
- Miss Rivers
- JoJo (perhaps - the talking monkey)
- Yoda (just joking!)

And LOADS of trivia! Like when grandpa Marley says to Guybrush: I need your help son... Hahaha!

And I need more partners. I cannot do this on my own. I can only make music. Really. I cannot program or draw or design scenes. I can write a script (I am both a poet and a composer) but surley not a programmer or artist of any kind (except a musician of course).

Please guys! We cannot do this without your help!

On my knees.

P S (aka Liszt)

Ajust
02-06-2008, 04:03 PM
Would love to see this come to fruition, since I've sailed the seven seas for more moneky island!

D'you guys really think Lucasarts will slap the fan game with a cease-and-desist?

dislekcia
03-06-2008, 12:10 AM
Geo's suggestion is win.

Don't worry about copyright. You aren't going to use copied art and you're not going to sell the game. Even if you did copy directly you have a reasonable fair-use argument. Though the chances of anyone getting peeved enough at an IDEA to sue across international borders are totally negligible.

-D

Thaumaturge
03-06-2008, 02:01 AM
Don't worry about copyright. You aren't going to use copied art and you're not going to sell the game.

The thing is, I'm pretty sure that the same is true of both of the examples that I gave (depending, I suppose, on what you mean by "copied art", in at least some cases), and they were contacted. If this becomes big - and I get the impression that that is the intention, or at least hope - then, even free, I think that copyright becomes an issue. They may well not bother for a small game, or course (or perhaps won't even hear of it), but I'm not sure that that I want to hope that someone's game remains small, especially when they seem to want otherwise. :/

Setting it in a highly referential, but nevertheless separate, world should, I think, be fine, however.


Even if you did copy directly you have a reasonable fair-use argument.

Do our fair use laws differ much from those of America? The fourth entry in that article that I linked to covers fair use to some degree, and I'm not sure that this game would fall under it, depending on the tack that Liszt decides to take. If it's an affectionate parody of the Monkey Island games (and admittedly I may well have missed indication to that effect ^^; ), for example, then yes, it would, I think, probably fall under fair use.

Of course, if our fair use laws differ relevantly from the American versions, then I may well be wrong in applying the information in that article.

edg3
03-06-2008, 08:02 AM
Judging by the flow of argument, it seems like this is going ahead and such, and I would like to volunteer my programming.

( I can also do basic (VERY VERY BASIC) spriting if need be, also I have done 3D modelling before, but I think you cant consider untextured boxes as suitable experience)

@Liszt: Just a suggestion, write up the design, what you want to have in the game, how things will work, if at all possible make people make small prototypes of minigames (if any) or other spects of the game, so that interested parties can see that it is actually steaming ahead and will be more inclined to help out.

dislekcia
03-06-2008, 12:58 PM
@Liszt: Just a suggestion, write up the design, what you want to have in the game, how things will work, if at all possible make people make small prototypes of minigames (if any) or other spects of the game, so that interested parties can see that it is actually steaming ahead and will be more inclined to help out.

It prints rep! Listen to the man.

-D

Liszt
03-06-2008, 05:50 PM
@Liszt: Just a suggestion, write up the design, what you want to have in the game, how things will work, if at all possible make people make small prototypes of minigames (if any) or other spects of the game, so that interested parties can see that it is actually steaming ahead and will be more inclined to help out.

Monkey Island is nothing but a collection of If's. If Banana + Monkey = 1 then Guybrush do a dance. Perhaps we should change to name to Gunybrush Threepnaud!

edg3, if you can work with Adventure Game Studio, you are our ideal canidate for a programmer!

Any other ideas concerning scripts/storyline or any other speciality you want to see?

kolle_hond
03-06-2008, 09:33 PM
I would like to help if you can wait until monday when my exams end. I'm not really experienced in anything (like you saw in my first attempt for a game) but I think I finally grasped how to do basic animations and I would very much like to learn more about AGS and programming games in it. Oh yeah, I never posted my latest version of Byt in tyd, I'll do that now (a few graphical improvements, so you can judge my latest work)

*Edit*
link
http://forums.tidemedia.co.za/nag/showthread.php?t=4396

edg3
04-06-2008, 10:00 AM
Monkey Island is nothing but a collection of If's. If Banana + Monkey = 1 then Guybrush do a dance. Perhaps we should change to name to Gunybrush Threepnaud!

edg3, if you can work with Adventure Game Studio, you are our ideal canidate for a programmer!

Any other ideas concerning scripts/storyline or any other speciality you want to see?

I'll play around with AGS this afternoon after my exam, it shouldnt take too long to get used to.

As for storyline/scripts, I have no idea what monkey island is about, so it would be best for you to tell me what to do.

01DT!m3r
04-06-2008, 04:50 PM
If you need any extra help . I could try get a copy of AGS . I am sure i could learn its language and help with a bit of programming . But i am in the middle of exams so it wont be until the 13 june that i could start . Which is the same for my game competition entry :( i have got alot of experience with GM and delphi so i could whip up a nice little inventory index that could be used for checking if the player has certain items for certain events to happen .

Liszt
05-06-2008, 07:44 PM
Programmers: 01DT!m3r; edg3
Graphic artist: Kolle Hond
Music: Liszt

Anyone else interested?

GeometriX
05-06-2008, 08:35 PM
I'm totally into helping, but you really need to get some designs up. Rough out the story, characters, locations, puzzles and whatever else you can think of.

If you'd like to get an idea as to what you're looking at, send me a brief or two about some locations you'd have in the game, mapped out (it should be straight-forward and functional), with key locations marked for camera angles and character interactions.

Obviously, places like towns or villages will have lots of scenes in them, so it might make sense to start there. Just please be as detailed as possible. Little frustrates me more than "just do something like a town, but with bridges and walkways, you know?", which I'd do, and then it would be completely wrong.

You might also find that drawing maps will ease the creative process. As you put down an inn, you start to visualize it, which might lead to a puzzle or two. Then when it comes to thinking about what's next to the inn, you may put down a beggar who always harasses the player for drinking money, which could lead to another quest - does the player cough up the dosh for booze, or help the poor sod get off the sauce?

Stuff like that, it's good to plan ahead. Well, not good - essential.

FuzzYspo0N
05-06-2008, 11:49 PM
agreed, im not against helping, just need solidarity of a project, a design, and goals.

Liszt
08-06-2008, 04:36 PM
Okay. Here is the plan:

Concidering that this is a community project, we will do ONLY Melee Island. To keep it simple. Any ideas for the story?

Fengol
09-06-2008, 09:37 AM
I'd be happy to the writer for the game. I'm a big fan of Monkey Island and I've been reading Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces and wanting to go a good character progression story.

I also love Monty Python and The Goons so I should be able to get some gags in :)

FuzzYspo0N
09-06-2008, 02:01 PM
what are you waiting for, lets hear some story :D

Fengol
09-06-2008, 05:47 PM
I think a theme I'd like to explore is that "there's no such thing as a soulmate". I've learnt that tragedy compliments comedy (and vice versa) by highlighting the highs and lows of life.

Like Guybrush goes on his quest for Elaine, so our character also has the love of his life that he's questing for. Unfortunately some event forces him to lose her, but through his bereavement learns that he can find happiness with others.

Of course, in there will be some voodoo and talking skulls; a pirate thinking of changing jobs and becoming a ninja; and a situation where you'll need: a spatula, monkey fur and blackberries.

Give me some time to put it all down on paper :D

Fengol
09-06-2008, 05:48 PM
[Edit] sorry, double post

Thaumaturge
09-06-2008, 06:19 PM
I quite like your choice of topic, Fengol. I'm interested in seeing how you blend that with comedy.


... a pirate thinking of changing jobs and becoming a ninja ...

If you're going to have those two, then, given the presence of Voodoo, I recommend bringing a zombie into the scene. Perhaps a robot as well, if you find a good, fitting way to introduce one.


... and a situation where you'll need: a spatula, monkey fur and blackberries.

Heheh, I like this.

You don't end up making a "Blackberry", do you? ;P

Liszt
14-06-2008, 03:27 PM
Zombies attack on Melee Island. I think it would be best if we would only be on one island. Tell me, what is this game going to be? Zombies are good... Guybrush must stay loyal to Ellaine.

I have a loyal friend who is willing to make landscapes for us (in 3d). He is a professional and very good! BUT, how are we going to fit 2d and 3d? Can anyone do 3d animation for us? CK makes fantastic backdrops and landscapes but I don't know how are we supposed to but it togeather. Any ideas guys?

GeometriX
14-06-2008, 05:55 PM
Where are the designs Liszt? I'm starting to get the impression you're not terribly serious about getting this together. Let me be frank with you: building this project with a dream or whatever is not going to work. You need solid ideas for the plot, characters, locations, and any other major things that are needed in this game.

You say you're a composer and not a story-writer, I don't believe it. You obviously have ideas for a story - start doing something with them. Witty dialogue and quirky one-liners can come later, for now - just get some sort of a story that flows from one point to another.

I admire your faith, but don't see this getting past "wouldn't it be cool if..." unless some very real assets are put down. You've got a mate who will be doing the backgrounds (thus voiding any contributions I've suggested I can do, fine) - great. Get together with him and get some renders out. Do some research about the engines available to you. It's basically a choice between Wintermute and AGS - so get out there and find out what you can and can't do.

While I'm at it, just because I'm feeling a little irritated - start listening to people. I've seen 4 pages of suggestions being thrown at you, and the first sign I've seen of you actually roll with anything is "Zombies are good...". If this is going be a collaborative effort, you need to get those gears grinding.

You wouldn't go into your kitchen to cook a meal without any ingredients, or even a recipe, so why try the same thing with a game? Start solidifying ideas, make decisions, form the bones of a design document: characters, locations, puzzles, story branches, inventory items, technology, asset requirements, gameplay concepts, whatever. Don't expect a story to land on your lap - build it from a variety of pieces.

Personally, I think this is an awesome idea, but I've seen tons of good intent go down the drain with projects like SQ7 because of poor (and I mean poor) management. Don't let this game fall prey to apathy. Get excited, get crazy and get **** together.

[/rant]

01DT!m3r
14-06-2008, 09:28 PM
I have done a very basic item listing thingy please take a look at it and see if we can use it . Its just a basic Idea for the gamehttp://www.gamedev.za.net/filecloset/download.php?id=500

sTaLkEr 101
14-06-2008, 09:37 PM
So what is this thread about.Are you guys thinking of making a Monkey Island Game.

Chainsaw
14-06-2008, 10:24 PM
So what is this thread about.Are you guys thinking of making a Monkey Island Game.

Read threads before posting these types of questions please.

Liszt
15-06-2008, 08:44 AM
You say you're a composer and not a story-writer, I don't believe it. You obviously have ideas for a story - start doing something with them. Witty dialogue and quirky one-liners can come later, for now - just get some sort of a story that flows from one point to another.
[/rant]

Thank you. I will give you a script by next week. You are right about that. For progress I need to know what to do about the 2d/3d enviroment. Please help me with that, concidering that we have a valuable and experienced landscaper at our dispence.

How am I to open GMB files?

Here is the thing: we are ONLY going to work on Melee Island. The art style is the same as with Monkey Island 4 (curly clouds, Guybrushes looks ect). Further, start making us a draft of Guybrush please. I need a few scetches to see what you guys come up with. And a scetch of Largo please. The NEW Largo... LeGRAND!

GeometriX
15-06-2008, 12:39 PM
Thank you. I will give you a script by next week. You are right about that. For progress I need to know what to do about the 2d/3d enviroment. Please help me with that, concidering that we have a valuable and experienced landscaper at our dispence.

The 2D/3D thing is simple. All the 3D environments can be rendered out to a 2D image. You make that image the background for each room. Characters should (IMO) be 2D sprites, built the traditional pixel art way. Regardless, even if they're initially done in 3D and animated - they'll end up being 2D renders as well. Those 2D images will be placed into a false plane within AGS to simulate distance from the camera (they get smaller the further "up" they move, and visa versa).

The other option is Wintermute, which allows you to use realtime 3D characters on a pre-rendered (ie, 3D->2D) background. While this has big advantages (not needing pixel-perfect transitions between rendered animations) it seems that AGS is a more developed (and more commonly developed on) engine, and will likely give this project better results. Just a personal opinion though, I may be wrong.

What's a GMB file?

01DT!m3r
15-06-2008, 01:44 PM
I think it could be part of game maker file just open it with GM .

Liszt
15-06-2008, 05:56 PM
MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION: At what resolution will the game be played? I was thinking 800x600. Anyone care to differ?

Thank you Geometrix. CK will render the scenes in 2d (cartoon style - once again, you were right!) in the finest amount of detail.

Download the Lates edition (3.0.1) of AGS now! Sorry, GM files don't open with AGS. Errorrr.... Beep!

Can anyone start Sprites of Guybrush please?

rpgstudio
21-06-2008, 03:12 AM
A great idea ^-^ I am a big fan of old Monkey Island, well it's too old now, but love to see if someone actually to create a new one.

Waiting this...

rpgstudio
22-06-2008, 05:39 AM
Hi if you still looking for engine and wizard to use please try this:

http://sites.google.com/site/rpgstudio/

It may be better, easier and faster to make monkey island retro with it ^-^

Afflict
22-06-2008, 06:06 AM
again, until you actual HAVE something, I wouldn't worry. Although this is my personal opinion, I can't see Lucasarts sending a cease-and-desist order until you actually have a line of code written.

Currently what we have here is forum banter, valuable only to forum trolls.

Yeah they won't but imagine designing a game for 12 months and then you release a demo & bam "cease and desist" Twelve months of work down the tubes.

Heres an interesting read if no one posted it yet.

http://www.scummbar.com/resources/articles/index.php?newssniffer=readarticle&article=7

Anyway, I think fan games are a waste of time. I would rather just spend my time creating something new and hopefully equally awesome and entertaining as Monkey Island etc. Start your own fan base on your own original awesome story. Make your own lovable characters, and your own awesome worlds to explore.

Besides I can't imagine trying to live up to the expectations of the millions of Monkey Island fans out there.

Thaumaturge
22-06-2008, 10:43 PM
That's an interesting article, Afflict - thank you for sharing it. ^_^

I'm not sure that I'd say that all fan games are a waste of time - the King's Quest 2 remake was pretty good, I thought, for example, and The Silver Lining looks promising to me. Similarly, I'm looking forward to seeing the Quest for Glory 2 remake (although I believe that that's largely graphical, with some other changes (improvements to the alleyway system have been mentioned, I seem to recall)).

It should probably be mentioned, however, that all three of those have permission, I believe - although again, it's perhaps noteworthy that the permission for King's Quest 2 and The Silver Lining came after their cease-and-desist contacts were received, if I recall correctly.

(The King's Quest 2 remake and information on the upcoming Quest for Glory 2 remake should be available here (http://www.agdinteractive.com/), while The Silver Lining's site should be available here. (http://www.tsl-game.com/))

I wouldn't recommend counting on being given permission after the fact like that, however.

Other than that, I've already stated my own thoughts on the legality of such things, as I recall.

Liszt
15-07-2008, 07:47 PM
Now... if any support still exist before I quit my lame attemp...

... any motivation please?

(Let the stones of hatred, noob, horror, disproval and lameness be thrown... sak 'n' as... La Forza del Destino???)

Afflict
16-07-2008, 01:18 AM
Lol not necessarily a lame attempt man. But I would prefer playing, the Adventures of Peg legged Pete & the pirate termites of rotten wood cove. ;)

It's really nothing against fan games, just I would be the first to grind my teeth if ever you want to release and get a cease and desist letter. I know how hard Game Dev is already, and watching your hard work gather dust in the dreaded dark damp caves of unreleased... would suck.

GeometriX
16-07-2008, 09:18 AM
Liszt, dude, don't give up on this. Personally, I'm waiting for that script and a handful of rendered backgrounds, which you said you had covered. So what's happening there?

Afflict makes an excellent point, something that I'll second. Seeing Guybrush on a new adventure would be awesome, but it sure would suck to have the whole thing crushed by "the corporation, man".

Liszt
16-07-2008, 02:33 PM
Okay okay... here we go...

Script? Still working on that. But sinc you are so eager to read it, I'll be sure to finish to soon. Beign a scriptwriter and composer is... a lot of work. And I own Bonesman some music.

Backdrops... hmmh. I am equally curious as what happened to that. ???

Thaumaturge
18-07-2008, 03:19 AM
I'll, uh, "third" Afflict's points.

Don't give up on creating something that indulges nostalgia for Monkey Island; just consider, at least, creating something that isn't itself directly a Monkey Island game while still keeping the style, humour and "feel" of the series. ^_^

Liszt
23-07-2008, 08:32 AM
Here End's the thread. I thank everyone for their added support to this thread! I am moving on.

Yes, great support and I learned quite a few things! I am working on a game - at last! On my own!

Think Mozart - with Shakespeare! Big wig's, Thee's and Thou's, Music, Harpsichord, Gold everywhere, Amadeus.

I will create a new thread when (someday) I will release a demo. Or the full game. Or something.

Special thank's to Geometrix and Thaumaturge!

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.
Benedicte omnius opera.
Amen.

Thaumaturge
01-08-2008, 05:17 AM
It's my pleasure, for my part. ^_^

So... How goes the new game? Any progress yet?

GeometriX
01-08-2008, 08:44 AM
EDIT: Blah, wrong thread

Liszt
07-08-2008, 08:03 PM
Oh, SO little progress. I such with AGS. Ai man. I am bad! I am a far better composer!!!

ShadowMaster
07-08-2008, 08:13 PM
Oh, SO little progress. I such with AGS. Ai man. I am bad! I am a far better composer!!!

Just persevere, just as you didn't become a good composer over night you won't become a good ags user over night ;)

Thaumaturge
09-08-2008, 07:25 PM
I concur with ShadowMaster - as long as it remains something that you want to achieve, keep at it (within reason, of course :P). ^_^

Liszt
10-08-2008, 06:43 PM
Thaumaturge, that ^_^ was either cute or it freaks me out!!! Hahahaha!!!

Hey... this is DYING! Perhaps I'll just write the script as a drama and post it on the page. At the moment, I am BUSY reading Shakespeare, Acts, LOADS of Beethoven, Liszt, Telemann, Mozart and that all for Eisteddfod. It is simply too much! Ai man.

This will see the light. Even if it ends in an drama! I promise!

Thaumaturge
12-08-2008, 12:35 AM
Heheh, perhaps it freaks you out with its cuteness? Or freaks you out cutely? Or cutes you out freakily? :P

I'm sorry to hear that you're so busy, given that you have a project that you want to get to. :/ I do hope that you manage to find time to put into it.