Is it wrong to use graphics from other games?

[Spoonweaver]

Oh, well here's my point about [game]Motrya[/game]. The graphics were done by someone other than the developer.

I couldn't think of a good example of a GOOD game that had both reused graphics, and graphics by other person. So I instead brought up examples of the two things separately.

[msw188]

Hm, at the time of my reply the votes were 4 YES 3 NO, and my vote made it tied at that point, I'm pretty sure. Regardless, it's starting to sound like a lot of those votes were made with a slightly different idea in mind for the poll question, as TMC is pointing out. My apologies.

[roboman]

As a former rpg maker community member, I thought that game making is game editing, so I began to compilate a game with the use of Escape the Wolf OHR, Vampire's Curse, etc., then I realised that (graphical) originality is essential in OHR community. I made a game with the other engine (years ago), but it was lot easier than make custom graphics. Lately I played (through) Wandering Hamster and I discovered that maybe I could do similar graphics, or a bit worse. So I'm planning to resume my game with my own graphics, but it may contain sprites from other games. Should I ask for permission every single thing that I use in the game, or it's enough just to mention the original creator?

I think I have 2 options at my level of game making (I consider myself as newbie)
1. I do an original, but bad game
2. I use not so original graphics, but make an acceptable game

I wonder which is the better?

Finally, I need an advice: my game's name would be "Ravenloft" which is not so original, should I change it or it doesn't count?

[Mogri]

ask for permission every single thing that I use

Vikings of Midgard is public domain. You don't need to ask before you use that game's assets. Taking stuff from any other game will earn you a giant frowny-face ( ).

[BMR]

I think I have 2 options at my level of game making (I consider myself as newbie)
1. I do an original, but bad game
2. I use not so original graphics, but make an acceptable game

I wonder which is the better?

Well, personally, I see no reason why using original, albeit of poorer quality as you say, graphics would automatically make it a bad game. The game is what makes it, not the graphics. Ultima IV, for example, was an amazing game, but had little more than stick figures for sprites.

If you focus on story, gameplay, characterization, etc... I doubt having poorly drawn graphics will work that much against you.

Of course, you could always use VoM graphics, as they're in the public domain.

Finally, I need an advice: my game's name would be "Ravenloft" which is not so original, should I change it or it doesn't count?

Well, if it's actually set in the Ravenloft campaign setting, I don't think it would be too much of a problem. But if it's not, then you might have a problem with people starting the game expecting something different. If, for example, I named my game "Space Quest" but it had nothing to do with Roger Wilco, then I might have a problem, no matter how much spacing or questing my game had.

[shakeyair]

Ripping graphics is perfectly okay so long as you are not breaking any laws. Go ahead and do it if you'd rather, you're not hurting anybody.

BUT.

Ripping graphics compromises your game world. You have far less control over them, and if you try to make edits to fit with some specific character/visual feature/icon/whatever, they will very clearly not fit in and the game will have glaring contrasting graphics that look worse than if it was all mediocre graphics. Or. Your game world will always feel generic, even if the gameplay is novel.

I started a tutorial a long time ago that I keep meaning to get back to. People around here seemed to like it. The basic idea of the tutorial came from something a professor said: "There are the things you know. The things you don't know. And the things you don't know you don't know."

Fact is, unless you've dedicated a lot of time to art, the bulk of what makes things look good are things you don't know you don't know. Even if you'll never be able to render things realistically, you can still make damn good game graphics if you just take a little time to learn what makes graphics look good.

You can check it out here: http://www.slimesalad.com/forum/viewtop ... cs&start=0

Personally, I'd have more respect and would be more drawn to your game if the graphics are original. But if you would rather not mess with them at all, and want to rip graphics, thats perfectly okay.

[Baconlabs]

Personally, I'd have more respect and would be more drawn to your game if the graphics are original. But if you would rather not mess with them at all, and want to rip graphics, thats perfectly okay.

Just hopping in real quick to say that this is exactly how I feel about original soundtracks. Just like having all-original graphics, it is a huge, difficult, and time-obliterating job that few people can accomplish and fewer people can do well. Ripping things is frowned upon, yes, but in another sense it's a necessary "evil" (I'd prefer the term "learning tool") that will allow lone game developers to bypass seemingly impossible creative obstacles so that they can focus on what they want and flourish in a particular field, such as story writing, level design, gameplay engineering, or programming.

And I'm all for the expansion / continuation of your previous graphics thread, shakey airman, go for it!

[Meowskivich]

... Just like having all-original graphics, it is a huge, difficult, and time-obliterating job that few people can accomplish and fewer people can do well. ...

Really? I don't find it all that difficult, and it's one of the funnest parts imo. And besides, practice makes perfect! I guess the feeling's not mutual though...