Plagiarism
Hello Friends.
This is the first thread I've started. I'm a long time observer of this forum. If you notice anything about my past posts, I only post when I feel there is something I can contribute an opinion to. My post are few and far between and to the point. So, as I am in the nature of getting to the point, let me begin my first thread with a topic that has recently bugged me.
Plagiarism = the practice of claiming or implying original authorship of someone else written or "creative" work.
How does this translate into the gaming industry? Is this definition or any definition of plagiarism exclusive from the industry? By law original work that changes by 30 percent is considered legal.(unconfirmed)
Let that serve as the premise of this thread.
Day 1 Studios -FRACTURE- (published by Lucas Arts) http://www.lucasarts.com/games/fracture/
This game looks good, and looks fun and will most likely sell well. But, is FRACTURE in danger of Plagiarism? The core game play seems original. However, its game mechanics are not what i am talking about. Specifically, I am comparing Fracture's "main character" to Gears of Wars Marcus Phoenix. Even more specific, I am comparing the armor attire between the 2 characters. Does Fracture's main character look like one of Simon Phoenix's "entourage"??? (for lack of a better word).
All my career I've been encouraged to drive my understanding of game art from the observation and playing of other games. For example: How did they create this, how did they generate that etc. With art I think keeping your observations to techniques and process ultimately sharpens your own skills. But, i don't feel it is right to mimic the "exact" style of other games or mirror work to remind you of the original. So, is FRACTURE doing this? It's hard to tell honestly.
It's probably a grey area and too small of a similarity to care about but its up for discussion, thus the relevant of this thread.
In closing I have three questions.
1. Is Plagiarism relevant with our industry?
2. Where is the line ultimately drawn?
3. Is FRACTURE crossing that line?
What say you?
Thank you all. I am looking forward to reading your opinions.
This is the first thread I've started. I'm a long time observer of this forum. If you notice anything about my past posts, I only post when I feel there is something I can contribute an opinion to. My post are few and far between and to the point. So, as I am in the nature of getting to the point, let me begin my first thread with a topic that has recently bugged me.
Plagiarism = the practice of claiming or implying original authorship of someone else written or "creative" work.
How does this translate into the gaming industry? Is this definition or any definition of plagiarism exclusive from the industry? By law original work that changes by 30 percent is considered legal.(unconfirmed)
Let that serve as the premise of this thread.
Day 1 Studios -FRACTURE- (published by Lucas Arts) http://www.lucasarts.com/games/fracture/
This game looks good, and looks fun and will most likely sell well. But, is FRACTURE in danger of Plagiarism? The core game play seems original. However, its game mechanics are not what i am talking about. Specifically, I am comparing Fracture's "main character" to Gears of Wars Marcus Phoenix. Even more specific, I am comparing the armor attire between the 2 characters. Does Fracture's main character look like one of Simon Phoenix's "entourage"??? (for lack of a better word).
All my career I've been encouraged to drive my understanding of game art from the observation and playing of other games. For example: How did they create this, how did they generate that etc. With art I think keeping your observations to techniques and process ultimately sharpens your own skills. But, i don't feel it is right to mimic the "exact" style of other games or mirror work to remind you of the original. So, is FRACTURE doing this? It's hard to tell honestly.
It's probably a grey area and too small of a similarity to care about but its up for discussion, thus the relevant of this thread.
In closing I have three questions.
1. Is Plagiarism relevant with our industry?
2. Where is the line ultimately drawn?
3. Is FRACTURE crossing that line?
What say you?
Thank you all. I am looking forward to reading your opinions.
Replies
[edit] Never mind, googled it, I don't see what you are talking about. Judging from your post I was expecting borrowed visual elements like the pirate kerchief or the specific shapes on the torso armor, but I don't see any of that in Fracture.
2: www.copyright.gov? at least for the U.S.
3: not in my opinion. you dont think you can copyright an idea, only physical materials. Some amount of influence-bleed within a medium is expected. Plagerism or copyright infringement would be physically stealing the texture from GOW, or words from a book, or snippets/samples of a song--it takes a bit more than being derivative or just having a suit design that it came from the same concept designers.
I don't think the Fracture character is all that similar, just somewhat uninspired and generic. I liked Marcus's design, the armor/boots/etc were nicely done.
In any case, the main character from Fracture (based off the 5 screenshots I just looked at on the website), look nothing like a character from Gears of War. Too colourful, nowhere near as bulky, different armour style, the character looks like a rookie (clean face, no scars, no stubble).
I'm struggling to see this alleged "plagiarism". I take it that Fracture is a third person game like Gears of War? That's where you're making this connection? Well, what's to say that Epic didn't steal that from Resident Evil 4, or from whatever game that was stolen from?
But to answer your questions:
1 - Yes, but in terms of 'plagiarizing' game assets (texture sets, models). Game ideas/mechanics are copied all the time. Look at how many WWII FPS games are out there and barely any of them bring anything new to the dinner table. Just eating the same plate of shit, time and time again.
2 - When an individual(s), uses another individual's work and passes it off as their own without their consent.
3 - No.
My $0.02
-caseyjones
They're all derivations of derivations of derivations anyway... is derivation a word?
dissimilar enough that this could be some new viral marketing to get us talking about the game?
Hello Friends.
This is the first thread I've started. I'm a long time observer of this forum. If you notice anything about my past posts, I only post when I feel there is something I can contribute an opinion to. My post are few and far between and to the point. So, as I am in the nature of getting to the point, let me begin my first thread with a topic that has recently bugged me.
Plagiarism = the practice of claiming or implying original authorship of someone else written or "creative" work.
How does this translate into the gaming industry? Is this definition or any definition of plagiarism exclusive from the industry? By law original work that changes by 30 percent is considered legal.(unconfirmed)
Let that serve as the premise of this thread.
Day 1 Studios -FRACTURE- (published by Lucas Arts) http://www.lucasarts.com/games/fracture/
This game looks good, and looks fun and will most likely sell well. But, is FRACTURE in danger of Plagiarism? The core game play seems original. However, its game mechanics are not what i am talking about. Specifically, I am comparing Fracture's "main character" to Gears of Wars Marcus Phoenix. Even more specific, I am comparing the armor attire between the 2 characters. Does Fracture's main character look like one of Simon Phoenix's "entourage"??? (for lack of a better word).
All my career I've been encouraged to drive my understanding of game art from the observation and playing of other games. For example: How did they create this, how did they generate that etc. With art I think keeping your observations to techniques and process ultimately sharpens your own skills. But, i don't feel it is right to mimic the "exact" style of other games or mirror work to remind you of the original. So, is FRACTURE doing this? It's hard to tell honestly.
It's probably a grey area and too small of a similarity to care about but its up for discussion, thus the relevant of this thread.
In closing I have three questions.
1. Is Plagiarism relevant with our industry?
2. Where is the line ultimately drawn?
3. Is FRACTURE crossing that line?
What say you?
Thank you all. I am looking forward to reading your opinions.
[/ QUOTE ]
your argument is totally void without any form of comparison images. We are not telepathic.
You must begin to understand that nothing is original, everything comes from somewhere. Once you understand this you will be at harmony. It is the unfortunate way we are taught in school, not to copy, that breeds this closed minded viewpoint. Copying is good for you, it helps you learn and make things better.
My immediate answer would be no it's not plagiarism, unless they somehow got the original models and slapped them in another game without permission. If you watch the videos, the two characters look almost nothing alike, so your argument IS void.
Maybe an appointment at the opticians is in order?
Also, I agree that they're both standard fare Sci-fi material, but not too similar to each other inside of that limited universe. From the few screenshots I've seen, he reminds me much more of the main character from Outcast!
Alex
simon phoenix was wesley snipes from demolition man if I am not mistaken
[/ QUOTE ]
didn't wesley snipes also star in tekken?
Luke 6:27-31
Couldn't resist.
On a side note, Simon Phoenix would destroy them all:
This thread feels like work
[/ QUOTE ]
plagerism- saddly so for most.
1 - The characters were designed by Josh Nizzi, and you can see them on his website. He's an awesome artist and he does not need to copy anybody.
2 - Fracture is a great project and the team behind it are A-class people. So for you to use it as the premise of your "plagiarism" thread, is silly and undeserved.
You're going way overboard with this, and I think you need to give the situation more consideration.
Let me say to those who took offense, I apologize. I can admit I am wrong with the evidence is clearly presented.
Thank you all.