Topic: Using Manufacturer's cars in my/your games!?!?! (Read 859 times)

LaSupra · « **on:** February 18, 2014, 07:55:15 AM »

I want to make a free, non-profitable racing game in 3D Rad (who doesn't?) I want to use a load of cars (Nismo GTR LM, '95 JGTC Supra, Impreza's, Mitsu' GTO etc) and I've got the skill to make these cars but one question has been bugging me ever since:

Would I be able to use these cars in my game and if so, how could I do it for free?

Mike Hense · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2014, 09:05:41 AM »

are you asking us for the legality of what you're proposing... or for the ethical opinions...

if you can't come to a conclusion about this on your own... then i suggest you contact a lawyer, or post your question on one of the free legal advice boards...

for some reason though, i think you already know the answer to your question...

--Mike

LaSupra · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2014, 04:08:51 AM »

One of my project plans was to have no cost or profit whatsoever

I guess this isn't the right forum for this but . . .

It's just that I've seen people develop and create racing games in 3D Rad with real cars. I've seen videos to a game called Ignite made by someone in Rad and he looks to have used a BMW M3 GTR.

It's mainly the legality that's the problem. Otherwise it would be plagiarism and the companies that makes these cars would sue the hell out of me or whoever else uses them.

Gran Turismo 1, for example, on the back of the manual, it says "Toyota, Celica, Chas . . . emblems and body designs are trademarks of Toyota Motor Corporation and used under license to Sony Computer Entertainment." Plainly showing credit to Toyota. I've seen games that don't use licenses but still give credit to the companies.

No . . . on second thought. Why risk it?

clandestine · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2014, 08:01:58 AM »

Do what has been done for countless generations of unlicensed racing games. Make the cars similar, but not exactly the same, change the logos, details, lights.
Check out Tokyo Xtreme Racer 2 on the Dreamcast, it has around 400 unlicensed cars that can be very easily recognized, the game was very popular (recieved a US, Europe and Japanese release, later ported to the PS2) and they never got sued...

The exact amount of similarities or differences i dont know, but you can research a little bit more.

I did these for a game, changing the logo and several details on the cars and didn't have problems... yet

Check out the nsx i made for the same game, the detail is lower and there are enough differences to stay safe for a low profile game.

The best route to take is to be brave and design your own cars. Use the parts you love most about your favorite models and get creative, that way you'll be safe and proud of yourself!

clandestine · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2014, 08:39:25 AM »

I got this in my mailbox today... and while i've not played any GTA game this might give more ideas for your game

50 autos del GTA V y sus hom�logos en la vida real

peace!

Sondre S. · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2014, 06:57:15 AM »

I'm very interested in this stuff as I am modelling cars for a game too. Other examples of games with unlicenced cars are the True Crime: NYC (check out the supra and r34 thery are spot onhttp://www.igcd.net/vehicle.php?id=11450&width=1360), City car driving(http://www.igcd.net/vehicle.php?id=59811&width=1360), and the Sentiel from GTA 4 are pretty close to the 3 series e46. I am surprised that tokyo xtreme racers got away with all those car designs, however according to wikipedia:
"... Inevitably, the game becoming a solid best seller, the Japanese makers forced Genki to buy the license of their cars. The very first Genki licensed game was Wangan Midnight for PlayStation 2 (28.03.2002), while the first licensed "Shutokō Battle" was Shutokō Battle Online released on PC, the 9th of January 2003."

By the way nice CRX, and Mini Clandestine

clandestine · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2014, 07:08:44 AM »

Quote from: Sondre S.

"... Inevitably, the game becoming a solid best seller, the Japanese makers forced Genki to buy the license of their cars."

Lets hope our games become best sellers and get the same kind of attention

Quote from: Sondre S.

By the way nice CRX, and Mini Clandestine

Thanks man, but i got you there with the Mini... its actually a Honda N600.

Sondre S. · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2014, 10:57:08 AM »

Quote from: clandestine on February 23, 2014, 07:08:44 AM

Quote from: Sondre S.
"... Inevitably, the game becoming a solid best seller, the Japanese makers forced Genki to buy the license of their cars."
Lets hope our games become best sellers and get the same kind of attention
Quote from: Sondre S.
By the way nice CRX, and Mini Clandestine
Thanks man, but i got you there with the Mini... its actually a Honda N600.

Yeah, shame on me

By the way what modelling program are you using?

(some of my models, made in sketcup)

gamedeveloper0 · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2014, 02:39:04 AM »

if you are making the game for non commercial purposes then its alright if not then its may become a problem

DolphinLover30 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 04, 2014, 08:13:27 PM »

Brand names and logos are all you can get sued for if you use them. You can make an exact copy of any car you wish, change the emblems, name and even the tiniest detail like shape of headlight or taillight and poof it is yours. Rockstar did it this way and did not have to pay for usage.

LaSupra · « **Reply #10 on:** March 07, 2014, 10:06:52 AM »

Thanks a lot ppl, this is great advice . . .

By the way, talking of similar cars, does anyone remember the Infernus from GTA San Andreas? The only change was the length of the NSX!!!

The ~~CRX~~ and ~~N600~~ are superb in detail, clandestine . . . ah I mean 'those cars' are superb in detail.

These examples should help fellow racing game creators.

clandestine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 08, 2014, 04:58:20 AM »

my latest approach to this topic:

- car details are obviously toned down (low-poly ftw!)
- a fake logo and name, courtesy of my colleague at clandestine (and thanks for the great menu)
- alternative model names

Facujk101 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 08, 2014, 02:13:36 PM »

Ohh looks beautifull in all the ways you look at it. Simply amazing!!

Sondre S. · « **Reply #13 on:** March 09, 2014, 08:53:17 AM »

very nice Civ**,clandestine

Maybe you could increase the poly count a bit and put on some eyelids(and then make the eyelids a part of the body mesh itself)? I have made the coupe version of that car for my game, it's an awsome car.

clandestine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 10, 2014, 07:17:20 AM »

Hey thanks a lot for the comments guys... i feel like i've hijacked the thread to showoff my stuff, but it is not the case (although my ego likes the praise)
Anyway, here is a closeup of the NG00s custom version.

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Author Topic: Using Manufacturer's cars in my/your games!?!?! (Read 859 times)

LaSupra

Mike Hense

LaSupra

clandestine

clandestine

Sondre S.

clandestine

Sondre S.

gamedeveloper0

DolphinLover30

LaSupra

clandestine

Facujk101

Sondre S.

clandestine