I’m developing a game that very closely mimics the gameplay of the ghost minigame from Nintendo Land. I’m not including Nintendo characters, names, etc.
Is there any precedent of Nintendo going after people for something like this?
Palworld is still up. Make your own assets, and don’t use any nintendo names, you’ll be fine
Nexomon is a better example
Palworld literally recreated nintendo assets. Nexomon just copied the concept of pokemon.
I’m developing a game that very closely mimics the gameplay
The post
And ripping off assets is much more likely to get you in legal trouble than just making a game in the same genre. Wtf are you on about bro
If you’re giving an example then it should be relevant to the question
Good thing i did, then! Thanks for the feedback!
No see, the gameplay is what OP is worried about and your example wasn’t an example of a gameplay clone
If it doesn’t clone assets of their game then Nintendo legally can’t do anything. Gameplay elements are not protected like that.
As far as I’m aware you cannot copyright game mechanics. The only instance of a copyright of a mechanic I’m aware of is from a lord of the rings leveling system (can’t remember the name off the top of my head)
I think it was their “nemesis system” or something like that.
Nah, you can’t patent gameplay mechanics unless they are super specific and interconnected.
Taking what’s good from other games and turning it into something new (or similar) is known as remixing and it happens all the time. Like mentioned in another comment, Palworld did this by taking the fun elements of different genres / vibes (Pokémon, Survival games, Shooters) and making that into a game.
Even the Pokémon Company had to put a statement out basically telling the Xitter drama seekers to shut up and stop reporting the game for infringement, because there wasn’t any.
Just make sure (like you already mention) not to use assets, sounds, names and other IP related subjects.