Referencing video game titles and characters in a story

[BlazonG]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

 

[cw5523729]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but maybe not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

I don't think Lit specifically has a restriction either way but I personally avoid using any trademarked names (products, businesses, etc.) that might attract the wrong kind of attention just to play it save. I mangle the names just enough that the intended business is obvious to any reader that would be familiar with it anyway.

Personally I'd be a lot more worried about the Street Fighter trademark than the character names.

 

[YmaOHyd]

I don't see a problem at all.

 

[iwatchus]

The two primary male characters in my original series play a lot of Ghosts of Tsushima. I don't worry about it. They do not take about game play or anything like that, but it is their goto distractuion.

 

[TheLobster]

I've seen stories refer to video games by name just fine; one of my own mentions Valorant in passing. Normally, though, I prefer making more oblique references, since it's both more fun to sneak in and (hopefully) puts a knowing smirk on the face of a reader who gets it.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

Mention the game once and in passing, should be fine. Go on about it forever and it's Fan Fiction.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

You could always cunningly disguise them.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

I've seen stories refer to video games by name just fine; one of my own mentions Valorant in passing. Normally, though, I prefer making more oblique references, since it's both more fun to sneak in and (hopefully) puts a knowing smirk on the face of a reader who gets it.

^Aside from Ersatzing through Brand Xs or Bland-name Products, you can even do a Take That! with this. Say, instead of League of Legends, just call it Lounge of Legends or League of Losers... Or Lounge of Losers if you're feeling particularly mean.

 

[Bramblethorn]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

You're not likely to get into any trouble with something like "We played a couple of rounds of Street Fighter; I picked Ryu and he took Zangief", but don't assume readers will know who these characters are.

 

[Cacatua_Galerita]

Referencing the game title and characters is safe. Trademark law is quite lenient to such references. I haven't been sued for my character using a "Sharpie" in one of my stories.

Incorporating aspects of the game's play into your story line is also fair use.

However, your blockbuster movie adaption will need to secure the rights:

https://readmedium.com/the-herculean-task-of-getting-all-the-rights-for-ready-player-one-95602d0e9e

Note how the "Ready Player One" book did not need to secure any rights to the multiple games it directly incorporated. It even immersed the characters into the play of many protected games. The movie was different due to the use of game visuals.

 

[BlazonG]

Note how the "Ready Player One" book did not need to secure any rights to the multiple games it directly incorporated. It even immersed the characters into the play of many protected games. The movie was different due to the use of game visuals.

Ready Player One is a great example, thanks. I should be fine then.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

Characters in an upcoming story of mine play Mortal Kombat. I'm not expecting any complaints, it's clearly a reference. I don't have MK characters in my story, which might be problematic.

--Annie

 

[YmaOHyd]

I don't have MK characters in my story, which might be problematic.

--Annie

I dunno, there's a whole category for that. The all-time toplist for it is mostly stuff set in the world of the Dragon Age video game.

 

[SimonDoom]

Is it okay for characters to briefly play a real video game like ‘Street Fighter’ in a story? It would involve using the title of the game and I would mention the two characters they are playing.

I’m thinking the title ‘Street Fighter’ is probably okay but not the character names. Do you think I will need to modify the names? Maybe Akuma will need to become Akumai or something?

This isn't a problem at all. It's no different from telling a story where your characters listen to Stairway to Heaven or go to see Furious 7 at the movies, or even if they talk about characters in the movies. Titles and names have no copyright value in this context. You're not infringing anything merely by having these things referred to.

 

[IWroteThis]

It was in regards to the use of a song, but the best advice I've seen on the topic was actually condensed into two words: lazy and dangerous.

It's lazy because you're shifting the responsibility of setting the scene from the writer to the reader's knowledge.

It's dangerous for three reasons. First, you can alienate readers who aren't familiar with the reference. They either have to look it up or simply miss out on context. You want to draw readers in, not push them away.

Second, while Fair Use is a valid defense and you'll probably prevail in court, you still have to spend the money to defend yourself in court. If you happen to run up against a litigious company, Fair Use doesn't just magically make the lawsuit go away.

Third, if the company can show harm to their product or company image from your usage, Fair Use doesn't apply.

So, while you'll probably be fine, don't be fooled into thinking you're safe.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

Second, while Fair Use is a valid defense and you'll probably prevail in court, you still have to spend the money to defend yourself in court. If you happen to run up against a litigious company, Fair Use doesn't just magically make the lawsuit go away.

Third, if the company can show harm to their product or company image from your usage, Fair Use doesn't apply.

I doubt CAPCOM is going full Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast or Take Two Interactive and send the Pinkertons after OP for having characters play Street Fighter in an erotica, especially when there's artists like REIQ who have been drawing (and making money off of) more than enough hentai of their property.

 

[IWroteThis]

I doubt CAPCOM is going full Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast or Take Two Interactive and send the Pinkertons after OP for having characters play Street Fighter in an erotica, especially when there's artists like REIQ who have been drawing (and making money off of) more than enough hentai of their property.

Sure, but the advice I passed on was general advice, not something specific to that one company.
As you attested in your reply, there are companies who would go after you for using their IP.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

It was in regards to the use of a song, but the best advice I've seen on the topic was actually condensed into two words: lazy and dangerous.

It's lazy because you're shifting the responsibility of setting the scene from the writer to the reader's knowledge.

It's dangerous for three reasons. First, you can alienate readers who aren't familiar with the reference. They either have to look it up or simply miss out on context. You want to draw readers in, not push them away.

Second, while Fair Use is a valid defense and you'll probably prevail in court, you still have to spend the money to defend yourself in court. If you happen to run up against a litigious company, Fair Use doesn't just magically make the lawsuit go away.

Third, if the company can show harm to their product or company image from your usage, Fair Use doesn't apply.

So, while you'll probably be fine, don't be fooled into thinking you're safe.

I don't consider it any more "Lazy" than using real places in your story. Is it lazy to have a scene take place at the Eifel Tower, or some other landmark? In one of my stories the characters spend their first date walking through the Met in NYC. It adds ambiance.

If the issue is not getting the reference it would be more dangerous to use a made up name, because the readers will have no way to know it's made up and just assume they don't get the reference.

They won't sue because you can't get blood from a turnip. If they get excited about it, they will send a cease and desist to Lit's contact information and the story comes down.


The big issue is you can't do anything that makes it seem you have the endorsement of the product, or disparage it in a way that might harm the brand in the readers mind.

So if they are going to talk about what a shitty game it is, don't use a real one. If they like it, it's fine.

 

[Areala-chan]

You should be fine. Referencing the TVTropes linked above, you can also pull a Fictional Counterpart, which I've done a few times in my own stories, and works well. Plus, it can give some light levity to an otherwise serious scene. Imagine all your gamers getting together for a World of Hovercraft raid, or some PvP in the latest Duty Calls!! installment.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Not a lawyer, but it strikes me that this falls entirely within ‘fair use’. It’s akin to saying in a story that you met at McDonald’s and had Big Macs on a first date. Dissing the game would be another thing, but just mentioning it seems okay.

 

[TheRedChamber]

It's lazy because you're shifting the responsibility of setting the scene from the writer to the reader's knowledge.

As a Brit, I know nothing about American Football. Many years ago, I was talking to a couple of US friends about it and they asked me if I could name a single player. I instantly replied 'John Madden'. When they pointed out that he was a coach, I thought a bit longer and eventually came up with 'OJ Simpson' And that's your lot. But I wouldn't mind in the slightest writers referencing American Football players in their stories - Google is never far away and I might actually learn something.

Street Fighter 2 is thirty years old at this point. The first search result I got put it as the 10th most influential video game of all time and, honestly, I'd have it in the top five. There have been movies and MacDonald's Happy Meal toys. It's okay not to know about it, but it'd be strange to feel alienated by someone referring to it.

 

[TheLobster]

I don't consider it any more "Lazy" than using real places in your story. Is it lazy to have a scene take place at the Eifel Tower, or some other landmark? In one of my stories the characters spend their first date walking through the Met in NYC. It adds ambiance.

Yes, for some reason people don’t see those obvious analogies. Because we’re talking about those weird newfangled vidya games, it’s suddenly something unique and different and alienating and you should just avoid it, yo.

Meanwhile, writers like Murakami can pack their novels chock-full of references to stuff from mid-1900s and no one bats an eye, even though all those old school car makes and songs are very obscure or downright unheard of to anyone born within the last four/five decades.

 

[ShelbyDawn57]

Yes. I have a story where the MC and her boyfriend play Squadrens as a subplot. It’s the same as saying, ‘we sat at the old bridge, listening to The Stones and drinking beer.’

 

[AchtungNight]

My martial artist female lead did a Shoryuken! on a bad guy in my last published story and I called it a “rising uppercut familiar to any fan of the Street Fighter video game series”. There’s also a lot of video game fanfics on here. You’re fine.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

Yes, for some reason people don’t see those obvious analogies. Because we’re talking about those weird newfangled vidya games, it’s suddenly something unique and different and alienating and you should just avoid it, yo.

Meanwhile, writers like Murakami can pack their novels chock-full of references to stuff from mid-1900s and no one bats an eye, even though all those old school car makes and songs are very obscure or downright unheard of to anyone born within the last four/five decades.

It's also a matter of verisimilitude, when people are dropping fake brands, it makes the story feel fake to to me. Like those cheap Spirit Halloween costumes with fake brands on them.

Like it or not, brands are woven into the fabric of our society.
Saying "Becky was doom scrolling social media" sounds off, because people don't talk that way.
Just say Insta, or Facebook or X, or whatever.