$12256 / $11500
I basically made a weird "thicc" creature inspired by British Gaming Icon Horace, and a friend of mine rigged it, and I was wondering, is the design too similar to the original to be usable as an open piece of game art?
For reference:
So, is it too similar to the original, or is it okay if I post it?
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Probably not. The question is: is this inspired or derived? Did you use any part of the original as a guide or base to create the 3D model? Beyond that, it can't be the same character; don't name it Horace, etc.
--Medicine StormWell, I couldn't have used the original as a base given the original was a sprite! I used (part of) a PD model as a base, and some pics of the "original" as a vague reference point, but that's it!
So, what would you recommend as a name for Not-Horace? Ecaroh? Hornache? Love Machine?
"PD model"?
Looking into it more, I have to say what you describe may be enough to be considered a derivative as weird as it is. It's a bit of a borderline case, but I've seen people get into an IP debate for making a 3D rendition of Crono from Chrono Trigger. Even though he was given a different name, it was clearly the character Crono, so it was arguably being considered fan art of the trademarked character. I actually wouldn't recommend openly licensing it, but I'll let you use your judgment.
--Medicine StormI think the "PD" is for Public Domain. The base was a model in the Public Domain?
The original is such a simple sprite. Seems like someone could splat blue paint on a canvas & the owners could claim copyright infringement. But again, anyone wanting to create a yellow 3D sphere with a wedge cutout of a mouth would obviously be questioned about Pac-Man.
Edit: It doesn't sound like a derivative to me. Fan art, maybe. Inspired, definitely. But, I'm not a lawyer. :)
hate to say it, but to my eye this one does cross the copyright line.
Mostly because it is readily identifiable as a 3D representation of the original sprite character.
If the model had an extra hand or three chest holes instead of two, then I think you'd be pretty safe.
But as is, it really is a dead ringer for the original which I think could get you into trouble.
that said, it's a really cool model! It's a very funny looking sprite, and you did an excellent job bringing it into 3D.
Well, the "too similar" comment seems to be the consensus, but thank you for the compliment!
Tho, I must add, I didn't rig it, it was my good buddy Peketo, a pretty great 3d modeler in their own right, who did. But, now I'm wondering where a good place to host it would be. Maybe Blendswap?
@titleknown: DeviantArt