Legality of making a Sequel

[Zhall]

What are the legalities of making a sequel to a game whose trademark literraly expired last month, and the original developer is long lost... And the publisher was aquired in a fashion in which those who bought it probably don't even know they own it?

Is slapping the next digit of the game onto it a no go?

How much would you have to change the content in order to be copyright evasion?

Thanks

[PicassoCT]

The good news is, you don't have to change much at all, you just have to reinterpret.

The bad news. You really need a new title. Resemblance is okay, just hanging a number on is fringing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outpost_%2 ... eo_game%29
Tom Orlando Williams will kick your sorry ass :)

Siriously, how about the Third OutPost..? To much NAZI
hmm.. or OutPostal ? To much BOLL
hmm or FreshStart? To optimistic
hmm or RenegadeRenessaince
or Hardleys Hope?
LastColony?

[Jools]

Why not just ask the copyright holder?

[scifi]

Why not just ask the copyright holder?

I doubt he will get an awnser but theres no harm in asking.

I think the only possible problem here is the name. Everything else from 3d models to textures and animations your developing yourself.

[smoth]

Ask the copyright holder, if no answer or they say no, give up now. They can shut you down at any time, do not go and waste years of time creating anything that you cannot control.

just make something *LIKE* that game and be done with it.

[gajop]

I would definitely avoid using the exact same name and proclaiming a sequel.

[Zhall]

To clarify for anyone lost in what were talking about (i forgot to mention it) we are talking about a sequel to outpost 2.

We've already decided on calling it Haven: The Last Outpost

We're debating on whether or not to create new factions, most likely we will.

I personally want to just remake the units and structures... I don't see how they could be perfectly remade anyway, add a few more smoke stacks here and there and shake your head in confusion when they state you are copying their design.

[smoth]

being that it is something you have posted all over the internet, that is admissible as evidence.

[Zhall]

True, which is why we will add even more smoke stacks!

I'll take the resemblance theme to heart however.

[smoth]

So "neat game you have *inspired* by that other thing."

[PicassoCT]

allmost like doesent give a gundam about it

[Anarchid]

I personally want to just remake the units and structures... I don't see how they could be perfectly remade anyway, add a few more smoke stacks here and there and shake your head in confusion when they state you are copying their design.

Spring is much more capable than whatever in-house engine ran Outpost 2 - and you're already being tempted to deviate, with talk of the spiderbots rising on the horizon.

Aside from the copyright security granted from being sufficiently different, pausing to take a breath of fresh air and consider the possibilities might also help you to make a better game than O2 was.

[PicassoCT]

OutPost 2 was released in 1997, so the game is 17 - 17 is not 18.
If you knock it up, and her parents wont like you, you will be in deep deep trouble.
Also i think it is quite low, evil even, to take advantage of games, who are so young and weak in judgment.

And that asside, reconsider that this is not some gpl-harbourharlot, giving herself away to everybody who drops a line of code, no sir, this is a upper-class game, binary when it comes to relations, with a decent parentage. You dont just make a sequel with such a Lady, and then drop her when nothing but hardships come from that.

Lawyers of every corner of the town, would come and rightefully so, chase you out of the city. So Zhall reconsider, wait for a year, then send some roses to crystall dynamics and ask for OutPosts hand. Make the right choices..