Online uplink clone question

[DaySleepR]

I am interested in developing a web-based online uplink clone.
Used to play uplink years ago and haven't been following up on developments in the community since.

After quickly browsing this forum it seams like there have been numerous failed attempts to making such a game? I am quite confident I could start and finish such project in a reasonable time provided I wouldn't work alone.

So, my question is this: will I get sued if I pursue this idea?
Are uplink clones legal? Do I need someone's permission?
A licence?

[frenchfrog]

You should check this new online hacking game:

Slave Hack: http://www.slavehack.com/


Also Nanobyte Online is suppose to have network play soon (but not a online game)

http://www.adm-studios.com/nanobyteonline/


There is probably tons of others but I haven't followed all of them.

[ScareyedHawk]

Depends on what you mean with "clone".
Using the textures and graphics from Uplink is probably illegal, so is using the name "Uplink."

And, as you said, this has been done a thousand times before, and they've never succeeded.
If you seek help and guidance, don't get your hopes up.

[DaySleepR]

Depends on what you mean with "clone".
Using the textures and graphics from Uplink is probably illegal, so is using the name "Uplink."

no, I will have my own graphics and it can be called Downlink or whatever

And, as you said, this has been done a thousand times before, and they've never succeeded.
If you seek help and guidance, don't get your hopes up.

Well I have a pretty good idea on how to do it, the thing is, it's a lot of work. I should probably play original uplink a little to refresh my memory and then model it out. After that is down to design & writing code.

Looks like I just found my new pet project

[Davman]

Don't forget http://bytelink.org.

We're currently in talks with IV about legal issues, for now we are working under the EULA for the Dev-CD.

So to answer your question, while I have no authority to speak on any specific case, I would say that as long as you dont "rip" their code, graphics, sound or anything similar, you can probably make a clone. There are already plenty out there and IV seems to leave them alone.

Of course, don't take my word as gospel, and it's always nice to ask the people you are basing your work on.

[Rkiver]

Downlink was a fan site, you cannot use that name.

Also I detect yet another vapourware occurance.

[Deepsmeg]

Downlink was a fan site, you cannot use that name.

Also I detect yet another vapourware occurance.

What he meant to say was "Good luck with your project, I know it'll go far"

Sorry, my bad.
I reread it.
What he meant to say was:

[Davman]

Don't loose faith. I doubt you'll get much here, people have seen too many projects start and fail. If you want to suceed, make sure you are determined to prove everyone here wrong.

To get you started :

[abigbagofcrap]

Deepsmeg and Rkiver are essentially here to destroy your self-esteem and your confidence. Don't pay too much attention to them. To their credit, they have seen quite a number of these "projects" that all turn to vaporware at some point. Now they're just bitter

Come on guys. I'm not saying you must be supportive of every project, but don't join into threads to simply say "you're never going to get anywhere". Though, I will admit it is quite a motivation to prove you wrong.

Good luck, DaySleepR. Just work hard, don't let the project go stale and die, even if your only goal is to shove it in the faces of a select group of people.

As far as legal issues, just avoid using anything that can be directly attributed to Uplink. Sure, it's shifty, it's underhanded, but it holds up in court. If you find your project actually getting off the ground, I would make contact with Introversion and ask. Essentially, I'm telling you to protect yourself from legal repercussions, but you should try to get Introversion's blessings. But, covering your ass in case they don't sign off on it is your best bet.

[TrueADM]

Nanobyte Online is not a network game, it is an MMO game which means it requires the internet to play. The alpha stage of NBO is offline so I can get all the bugs sorted without having to worry about the online aspects getting in the way.

[Deepsmeg]

Excuse me?
It runs on the internet, but's not a network game?
You sir have a strange definition of a network.

[TrueADM]

I was refering to a local area network rather than an internet. Excuse my last post it was early morning here.