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NINTENDO SHUTS DOWN RPG MAKER'S POKEMON FAN GAME ECOSYSTEM!
Posts
JayjeAthravein
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CloseIt’s been recently announced on the RPG Maker web forum that NINTENDO has decided to put the kibosh on the Pokemon Essentials, a customized set of scripts used by fans to make their own fan games that started back in the days of RPG Maker XP (circa 2006).
A lot of good games were made using it (I’m leaving out the POKEMON as all the titles have it): Reborn, Insurgence, Sage, Obsidian and, most notably, Uranium. All of these will probably have to shutdown, if they haven’t already.
Needless to say, folks aren’t happy about this. How are they going to live out there Pikachu inspired dreams now?
Truthfully, I’m surprised people didn’t see this coming for years, when the creator(s) first came out with this system. Why would they think a multi-billion dollar company like Nintendo would be cool with folks using their IP? The light bulb should have definitely go on when they forced Pokemon Uranium to cease and desist back in 2016. For me the writing was on the wall even then.
To be honest, I’m of two minds about this.
Firstly, I’m sadden by the fact that these fans were so devoted to this franchise that they spent hours, days, months and (in Uranium’s case) even years of their time on a hobby they loved. Many fan game devs may have to stop all their hard work. Others have already decided to go underground and keep their projects to a smaller audience. I wish them well.
Secondly, I feel a bit vindicated for all the determination and time I put into my own game. I’ve worked on Monstructs: Makers and Mayhem for, like, nearly two decades. There was an extended period where I had to stop, but this game kept standing their like an unloved child, waiting for me to return. Now, I’m so close to a BETA release. I think this will drive fan game devs to make games similar to Pokemon and I’m looking forward to seeing the results. Heartbeat is an RPG Maker game in the same monster-collecting vein as mine and Pokemon, but with its own cute, unique spin on it.
So, while this may be a sad day for Pokemon fan game enthusiasts, it could be a good thing for the Indie Game Dev scene on the whole. Only time will tell.
To your dreams…
Monstructs MELEE!
A lot of good games were made using it (I’m leaving out the POKEMON as all the titles have it): Reborn, Insurgence, Sage, Obsidian and, most notably, Uranium. All of these will probably have to shutdown, if they haven’t already.
Needless to say, folks aren’t happy about this. How are they going to live out there Pikachu inspired dreams now?
Truthfully, I’m surprised people didn’t see this coming for years, when the creator(s) first came out with this system. Why would they think a multi-billion dollar company like Nintendo would be cool with folks using their IP? The light bulb should have definitely go on when they forced Pokemon Uranium to cease and desist back in 2016. For me the writing was on the wall even then.
To be honest, I’m of two minds about this.
Firstly, I’m sadden by the fact that these fans were so devoted to this franchise that they spent hours, days, months and (in Uranium’s case) even years of their time on a hobby they loved. Many fan game devs may have to stop all their hard work. Others have already decided to go underground and keep their projects to a smaller audience. I wish them well.
Secondly, I feel a bit vindicated for all the determination and time I put into my own game. I’ve worked on Monstructs: Makers and Mayhem for, like, nearly two decades. There was an extended period where I had to stop, but this game kept standing their like an unloved child, waiting for me to return. Now, I’m so close to a BETA release. I think this will drive fan game devs to make games similar to Pokemon and I’m looking forward to seeing the results. Heartbeat is an RPG Maker game in the same monster-collecting vein as mine and Pokemon, but with its own cute, unique spin on it.
So, while this may be a sad day for Pokemon fan game enthusiasts, it could be a good thing for the Indie Game Dev scene on the whole. Only time will tell.
To your dreams…
Monstructs MELEE!
Dyhalto
7536
If the community is that big, how hard would it be to make an entirely brand new -mon system? New -mon, locations, characters, etc.
Instead of storing monsters in your pocket, how about your satchel or fanny pack? Fannymon! Satchmon!
The files still seem to be up on GitHub. Downloaded them after the OP came up. (Unless those aren't the right ones- I've never used it so I wouldn't know for sure)
I'm hoping they are, since I actually have a pokemon fangame as a little side project to noodle with.
I'm hoping they are, since I actually have a pokemon fangame as a little side project to noodle with.
Oracle of Tao has some files that are Pokemon.
But they'll have to find them first! I left everything I have in one piece.
But they'll have to find them first! I left everything I have in one piece.
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
author=kentona
Instead of storing monsters in your pocket, how about your satchel or fanny pack? Fannymon! Satchmon!
If you're British, Fannymon is a game that could not be hosted on RMN :V
Corfaisus
"It's frustrating because - as much as Corf is otherwise an irredeemable person - his 2k/3 mapping is on point." ~ psy_wombats
7874
author=Soozauthor=kentonaIf you're British, Fannymon is a game that could not be hosted on RMN :V
Instead of storing monsters in your pocket, how about your satchel or fanny pack? Fannymon! Satchmon!
I've been around the internet long enough to know where this is going...
"Pikachu, I ch- I choose yOU AAAAAAAAAGHH!!"
"It's a boy."
The real nightmare is when you have to swap them out.
______________________
But for real, how damn hard is it to make your own RPG Maker game? To come up with your own title no matter the inspiration? Why are lackluster fangames still being pumped out in this post-DMCA world?
You know how to make a Pokemon fangame without calling it Pokemon?
"Yu Yevon, meet Gary Oak."
Even Final Fantasy is a "fangame". You know what of?
Bahamūto!!
I've seen some of the most remarkable talent in gamedev go into making fangames but... seriously, it's not worth taking the risk anymore. Hell, Pokemon-like indie games like Coromon and HEARTBEAT are living proof that you can take a general idea and put your own creative love into it rather than rest on the laurels of someone else's success and risk getting the hammer.
Fangames were an important part of getting indie gamedev off the ground, but the internet is certainly a much different place than it was in 2006, and no one in this day and age should be using someone else's IP and think it'll go unnoticed. Even using rips is tricky business now.
Fangames were an important part of getting indie gamedev off the ground, but the internet is certainly a much different place than it was in 2006, and no one in this day and age should be using someone else's IP and think it'll go unnoticed. Even using rips is tricky business now.
Red_Nova
Sir Redd of Novus: He who made Prayer of the Faithless that one time, and that was pretty dang rad! :D
9192
The question of how hard it is to make your own game instead of ripping off Pokemon isn't the right one to ask in this situation. The fact is, no matter how good your original game is, it isn't Pokemon. Pokemon fan game devs wanted to make a Pokemon game, not an original game. A Pokemon game. Pokemon fans looking to play Pokemon fan games aren't looking for originality. They're looking for Pokemon fan games.
Your Pokemon spiritual successor can look like Pokemon and even PLAY like Pokemon, but it's not Pokemon. For many fans looking to play a Pokemon fan game, that's all they need to know to pass on your original ideas. It's sad and disheartening, but it is what it is.
I'll always say original games are the way to go, and I hope more people in the future give spiritual successors the attention they deserve.
Your Pokemon spiritual successor can look like Pokemon and even PLAY like Pokemon, but it's not Pokemon. For many fans looking to play a Pokemon fan game, that's all they need to know to pass on your original ideas. It's sad and disheartening, but it is what it is.
I'll always say original games are the way to go, and I hope more people in the future give spiritual successors the attention they deserve.
They were told many times to make it a bit more generic and remove the actual Pokemon rips, but they ignored all advice and now they're paying for it. I mean, it doesn't take a psychic to know that once you hit a threshold of popularity people will learn about it and those who you've stolen from will go "That is not okay. We gotta deal with this."
And they do have to, else they lose the protection on their copyrighted material.
And they do have to, else they lose the protection on their copyrighted material.
The thing is, most people who make fangames aren't trying to make something new. They just want more of the thing they love, it isn't coming, so they make it themselves.
"How hard is it to make your own thing?" It's a really pointless question because if they had wanted to make their own thing, they would have.
"How hard is it to make your own thing?" It's a really pointless question because if they had wanted to make their own thing, they would have.
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
author=Liberty
I mean, it doesn't take a psychic to know that once you hit a threshold of popularity people will learn about it and those who you've stolen from will go "That is not okay. We gotta deal with this."
You had the opportunity to say "It doesn't take an Alakazam," and you SQUANDERED it.
SMDH
StormCrow
2877
It’s been recently announced on the RPG Maker web forum that NINTENDO has decided to put the kibosh on the Pokemon Essentials, a customized set of scripts used by fans to make their own fan games that started back in the days of RPG Maker XP (circa 2006).
A lot of good games were made using it (I’m leaving out the POKEMON as all the titles have it): Reborn, Insurgence, Sage, Obsidian and, most notably, Uranium. All of these will probably have to shutdown, if they haven’t already.
Jesus I hate companies. These are free games that are earning the people making them no money and costing the company no money, right?
You won't find a more victimless crime than some fanboy stealing rips to make a fangame for a product they're in love with. It's not like anyone who even knows that Pokemon: Obsidian or whatever exists is going to play that instead of Nintendo's silicon crack, they're going to play it to supplement Nintendo's silicon crack. These people have most likely bought every Pokemon product under the sun. Or maybe I just can't muster any sympathy for giant faceless multinational corporations.
FWIW: I don't even like Pokemon. I practically detest fan games and have argued against people making them in the past (admittedly, WAY in the past). But a company treating its fanbase this way is fucking lame. At best.
Oh, and as an afterthought: I can scarcely imagine how hard RMN would collectively pitch a fit if Squenix were to C&D Blackmoon Prophecy et al, et al meaning every other Final Fantasy fangame on this site. (And props to Corfaisus for pointing out that Final Fantasy is basically a D&D fangame.)
Corfaisus
"It's frustrating because - as much as Corf is otherwise an irredeemable person - his 2k/3 mapping is on point." ~ psy_wombats
7874
I don't know, if it's good enough and free, I could see people taking the free knock off over blowing $40, precious fossil fuel and time to get the real deal. Looking for a fangame that's as good as the real deal is laughable at best, but with a game as simple as Pokemon, I suppose it's possible.
RPG Maker is practically Final Fantasy Printer, so I'm not too certain arguing quality of those games is really worth it. I've recently been disappointed on that front, but I intend on spending time finding the proper words and delivery on my points in the form of a review very soon instead of scumming up any one thread on that matter.
RPG Maker is practically Final Fantasy Printer, so I'm not too certain arguing quality of those games is really worth it. I've recently been disappointed on that front, but I intend on spending time finding the proper words and delivery on my points in the form of a review very soon instead of scumming up any one thread on that matter.
visitorsfromdreams
3530
I always have sort of mixed feelings on fangames. On one hand AM2R was a masterpiece that filled a game that Nintendo at the time were ignoring the demand for. Im glad that came out (brief as it was before it was taken down) and the developer went on to get a job working on the next Ori and the Blind Forest game.
Pokemon on the other hand, theres not exactly a shortage of games in the series unlike Metroid. Ill always prefer original IPs over fan games, but I guess making fan games is a great way for a lot of young people to learn the basics of game design.
Mixed feels.
Pokemon on the other hand, theres not exactly a shortage of games in the series unlike Metroid. Ill always prefer original IPs over fan games, but I guess making fan games is a great way for a lot of young people to learn the basics of game design.
Mixed feels.
Sooz
They told me I was mad when I said I was going to create a spidertable. Who’s laughing now!!!
5354
author=StormCrow
Jesus I hate companies. These are free games that are earning the people making them no money and costing the company no money, right?
You won't find a more victimless crime than some fanboy stealing rips to make a fangame for a product they're in love with.)
There's two legitimate reasons a company could go after fanworks:
1) They want to maintain control over their franchise/brand/whatever's image, and fanwork runs the risk of altering that image. This could be anything from "the fanwork is pornography, and our image is family-friendly" to "the work is shitty and our image is quality."
2) Legally speaking, there's a possibility that a company could lose their copyright if they do not challenge any illegitimate uses they come across.
There's also the fact that these fanworks are using ripped graphics, which is a definite violation of copyright. Part of copyright is the property owner's right to decide how parts of their property are used- whether sold, given away, or reserved solely for their own purposes. Transformative work and fanmade work offer a bit of wiggle room, but a case of ripping the graphics and then using them in a fanwork are clear violations of the law. The question is not one of money, but of who has the right to reproduce a creator's work, and fans do not have that right, no matter how much they like that work.
IANAL but I'm pretty sure you can't lose a copyright due to lack of enforcement. What y'all are thinking of are trademarks which can be rescinded by lack of defense. However the damages of breaking copyright can be affected by lack of defense, but it's usually judges sniffing out bad faith cases from what I've heard.
With that pedantic correction complete, GRS away~ *jumps down flight of stairs*
With that pedantic correction complete, GRS away~ *jumps down flight of stairs*
author=Corfaisusauthor=SoozI've been around the internet long enough to know where this is going...author=kentonaIf you're British, Fannymon is a game that could not be hosted on RMN :V
Instead of storing monsters in your pocket, how about your satchel or fanny pack? Fannymon! Satchmon!
"Pikachu, I ch- I choose yOU AAAAAAAAAGHH!!"
"It's a boy."
The real nightmare is when you have to swap them out.
haha! gross.
author=StormCrow
Oh, and as an afterthought: I can scarcely imagine how hard RMN would collectively pitch a fit if Squenix were to C&D Blackmoon Prophecy et al, et al meaning every other Final Fantasy fangame on this site. (And props to Corfaisus for pointing out that Final Fantasy is basically a D&D fangame.)
Btw, while we're on the subject of imposing copyright for stuff you stole...
Hojo crest.
Triforce. Trademark it quick!
