[jr2]

Well, honestly, what LA and whoever is responsible for BSG & Wing Commander etc, etc, should do, is allow these mods to go forward unchecked, and even allow us to use the music & perhaps the voice actors if they feel like donating.

When the finished product comes out, they should then turn to their game developers, point at us, and say "These folks are unpaid fanboys, and they created this in their spare time.  Whatever you come up with had better be at least two times better for us to even consider letting you create it.  Or we find someone else."  Well, that's what they should do, if they cared more than a plugged nickel about the end user... 'course, we know they probably don't, or are just clueless in general.

[chief1983]

Sadly that's what happens when the games industry is run by marketing and stock owners instead of people who like to play games as well as make them.

[Turey]

When the finished product comes out, they should then turn to their game developers, point at us, and say "These folks are unpaid fanboys, and they created this in their spare time.  Whatever you come up with had better be at least two times better for us to even consider letting you create it.  Or we find someone else."  Well, that's what they should do, if they cared more than a plugged nickel about the end user... 'course, we know they probably don't, or are just clueless in general.

You know how many 3D game modelers would break down crying if they had to try to make a better BSG than Omni's/ISD than BrandX's or risk losing their job? 

[brandx0]

Oh that'd be funny.  very very very very funny.

[brandx0]

Another Update:

[DiabloRojo]

You know how many 3D game modelers would break down crying if they had to try to make a better BSG than Omni's/ISD than BrandX's or risk losing their job? 

I think they would start up their own corporate espionage departments.  They own the rights to the likenesses after all, so they could steal 'em.

"Our spies have managed to infiltrate the modding community and have brought us some disturbing information on new developments in the modeling sector... Many bothans died... to bring us this information."

Sorry, I'm sure this doesn't belong here but I couldn't resist loading that render into photoshop to play with it.  The text can be translated too...

[Tempest]

They wouldn't legally have the right to do that, since brandx actually made the model. The IP infringement is a whole other deal. If we use all our own stuff, music and sound effects included, we stand on much firmer legal ground. Sadly, we don't have a musician or SFX artist. But since we're using their whole universe, they have every right to C&D us. Hopefully they won't.

Oh. And to get back on topic, yes, the ISD is wonderful. It may take a long time, but once it's finished, we've got 7 ships (all these star destroyer variants) near completion from just one mesh. It's worth it.

[jr2]

blackhole?  I thought you guys were going to contact him when you got around to the music bit.  You did read that thread, didn't you?

[chief1983]

Well he's also said he's busy and might not be able to do it.  Until we've got someone who says they're committed to it, it's still up in the air as far as we're concerned.

[brandx0]

Another update for ya guys

[Dr. Nick]

That's a tasty Star Destroyer

[Turambar]

SSD = Sexy Star Destroyer

[jr2]

[Lt.Cannonfodder]

They wouldn't legally have the right to do that, since brandx actually made the model.

They can. And they do. At least two examples I know of where LucasFilms/Arts has snatched other people's SW related work.

[chief1983]

Snatched or stopped?

[Lt.Cannonfodder]

Snatched. Howard Day's Legacy-class Star Destroyer design was taken by an artist hired by LucasFilms and he was told he'd get sued for damages if he tried to pursue his rights.

And as for the latest case, go watch the Force Unleashed trailer. Anyone here think they actually modeled that high-detail Star Destroyer seen in the very beginning? No. It's fractalsponge's fantastic model he gave away for free, and now they are using for profit.

[jr2]

Ok, well, we can definitely make sure that doesn't happen until we're done...  Use WASTE (link to homepage on sourceforge).  Info, see page on wikipedia here.  They couldn't break through that in a million years.  XD  I've heard it rivals military stuff. 

[chief1983]

Just lacking the legal clout to fight that didn't make it legal.  Of course that's something you have to worry about, not everyone always plays fair.  But my guess is, if he had challenged it, he should have one.  If that destroyer was indeed an original design, I can't imagine they'd really be legally entitled to it.

[Shade]

Yeah, they can't legally claim ownership over other people's work, no matter what it's based on. They can only prevent them from publishing it.

The latter of course is still the concern, but they'd be stupid to actually make use of that right - Stuff like what you're doing here is the only thing that can keep interest in SW spacesims alive until they eventually get around to making another one themselves, so in the long run shutting you down would only hurt their bottom line. So here's to hoping there's at least one person in LucasArts who still has some common sense left.

[Wobble73]

So here's to hoping there's at least one person in LucasArts who still has some common sense left.

And here's hoping that that one person has enough clout at LucasArts to say something in your favour so that C&D letters aren't issued!