ideas for a new ORPG

[Sjimm]

Hi all, was thinking about developing a new rpg based loosely on the world of Anne Bishops black jewel books. She is a fantastic writer, but expressly forbids the use of her world etc for rpgs. any advice please as I am new to Lit.

Thanks
Sjimm

 

[Vixandra]

Never heard of an author "forbidding" their works to be used for RPG's. Especially since its free advertising- I've picked up books before because someone was running an ORP thread on it.

And its not like this is a site that the users pay for, or make money off of, so I don't see why an author would get her panties in a twist over it. I've never seen anyone pay that much attention to copy written material here before because there's no money involved.

You might try shooting a PM (private message) to one of the moderators and ask them.

 

[Sjimm]

copyrite issues

Hi Vixandra, you are probably right, she did post the following on her website, which made me second guess

"Q. Is it all right to create role-playing games or MUSHES/MUDS based on your work? What about writing fan fiction?

A. No. At this time , I am not granting permission for the worlds and/or characters that I created to be used in role-playing games or MUSHES/MUDS. I also do not give permission for fan fiction that uses the worlds and/or characters that I created because of the copyright issues involved." www.annebishop.com (quote from)

All it would probably take would be a slight changing of the names/geography/jewels, given she has not given permission for her worlds to be used, we just change them enough to get around it.
thanks

 

[Jagged]

Usually that has to do with profit otherwise they can't do much about it. I had a friend creating original works of art with comic book characters and selling them. Artists weren't happy, but he was only selling one as opposed to putting them on t-shirts and selling millions. One artist's girlfriend emailed him and demanded he stop, but legally they had no grounds. Look into it and avoid any legal battle. Play just hear on Lit and it is all free.

As for me I enjoy creating my own world and taking others concepts and incorporating them, but changing things enough. I'd love for there to be an X-COM roleplay game, but it will probably never happen and even if I had the funds nobody will want to sell me the rights. Another friend is dying to do something with the old Renegade Legion system, but the lawyer representing the creators doesn't want to negotiate a license or anything else. He has a price for the rights and will only take that price and otherwise has nothing to say. To bad since the rules system is just collecting dust.

 

[sunandshadow]

Anne McCaffrey is another example of an author who explicitly forbid the use of her work for fan games and fanfiction. I don't know if her estate's lawyers are enforcing that since she died though. *shrug*

 

[Sjimm]

since its all about not making money, I will start putting together a world loosely based on the black jewel novels. I am thinking to set it in the light realm after the worlds have been cleansed of the evil (so after the 3rd book) but will change names and stuff. If any one has any ideas I am giving myself till 17th may to put it together (work is nasty busy)
cheers