| Brood Brother |
 |
 |
Joined: Fri Feb 14, 2003 12:46 am
Posts: 27069
Location: Edmond, Oklahoma USA
|
Hi!
Interesting thread. Since of the running of a "net" version of an epic version is the topic, I will weigh in on many of the main concerns and point out how netepic "did it".
GW NEVER gave netepic any overt or tacit support or authorization. We HAVE been scrutinized MANY times, they know we exist, but have never been ordered to "cease and desist".
No one from GW has ever contacted me or any netepic member regarding what we do. Oddly Jervis was (or maybe still is) a member of the netepic list and even posted when we we're in the process of our 5th revision. Crazy I know, but it proves we are "watched", GW fully knows what we do and where we are.
Of course the next question is "how". Over the course of the years I have spoken to lawyers about such issues regarding IP, derivative works and such.
The MOST IMPORTANT aspect of any net version of a game is that it HAS TO BE REWRITTEN IN YOUR OWN WORDS. Mechanics cannot be copyrighted. They are ideas, in a sense abstracted, its the physical manifestation (written rules) that is copyrighted. YOU CAN NOT COPY PASTE A SET OF RULES. I can't stress that enough.
This may sound like a trivial thing, but its not. Rewriting a set of rules in "your own words" is a monumental task. It took netepic almost a year of work to get version 1.0 out. Remember you can do short cuts by copy/paste, DON'T use GW original reference as a primer. You know the rules or mechanics and how YOU (or the group you represent) what the game played write it from your perspective. The more you keep to "your interpretation" of the rules the better.
IP terms. I will not get into the "dubious" legality of IP'ing terms like space marine and such GW does, but keep in mind they have more money than you and in court "he who has the gold makes the rules".....
Prominently display in the rules that such terms are owned by GW and used without permission or such similar disclaimer.
Now I'll tell you a bit of netepic history regarding the preceding statement. We we're ready to omit ALL GW IP terms and substitute them with generic names if GW took action. This means we'd change the IP terms like "space marine" to "powered armored troops" and such. Since the mechanics rewrite is not copyrightable removing the IP terms in such manner pretty much eliminates any actionable grievance with it.
Mind you it did not come to that with netepic, but YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR IT NONETHELESS.
Some parts of the law distinguish derivative works in regards to a percentage of difference between your work and GW's. Netepic has changed so much from GW's original work that making that case is a cakewalk for us.
It may be more difficult for EA, but enough fan related army list and mechanical difference may have been made to highlight the difference. More to the point, GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO HIGHLIGHT SUCH DIFFERENCES. While it may be based on EA, its NOT EA. You should strive to make that point.
Of course also make the point that your derivative work is better too...... 
A DOSE OF REALITY
Having said all this keep in mind one simple thing....
...GW has more money that you do, even if you comply with the letter of the law, they could still threaten you to remove or destroy your net based rules, since they know they have more resources than you and win by default.
Hasn't happened to us, but even after 11 years I am not naive enough to think that they would not try it. In essence its a risk you take and live with it. Your only protection is your relative success and the bad press it may generate shutting down a little fan based ruleset. Sometimes I think thats what has happened to us. Or maybe the somehow appreciate what we do.... nah.... 
ON "DOING IT"
Make no mistake a netEA is a HUGE undertaking. Don't go into it with anything else than full throttle. The beginning is most crucial. Like building a house the foundation needs to be solid.
First you need a leader. While "electing" one is democratic, it would be preferable that the person who leads it be highly held in regard and respected by those in whatever group guides it.
Tall order I know. The only reason I wound up being "it" for netepic is that I'm the one who came up with it and by the time anyone really questioned it, years have gone by and frankly... who would want the grief!
While is fun to "lead", you got a ton of responsibilities. Your the one who has to put it all together and make sure everyone is doing their tasks and help troubleshoot any difficulties. Also you'll be the one to settle "disputes" and that will hardly make you popular. Unless you are very confident in your diplomatic abilities, it may behoove the group to get someone that is.
Note that I use "you" in a general sense meaning anyone involved in the endevour.
Next is the "team". I have favored a closely knit group of 3-4 people. One as the webmaster (their is no "net" without a website, another as editor in chief (in my view THE MOST IMPORTANT job of all) and as many "assistants" as you can manage.
Word of advice, in the early stages you get MANY volunteers. Time will tell if they have commitment. Believe me after the "weaning" process you'll find that truly committed helpers are a rare and valued commodities.
Once the team is assembled you need to set goals. Be realistic in assessing what, how and time it will require to do things. Remember its done for free, people have lives to work around, be considerate of real life demands.
Once goals are assembled, work out how the community will be involved. You should have a input stage, discussion stage, playtest stage and a ratification of results stage. It takes a while to do these things. Our last revision took more than 2 years and 1 extra year to edit.
Keep people in the loop. Gamers love updates, Give it to them, make them enthusiastic to participate.
"when your in command, COMMAND!" Line from the movie Midway. While participation of the group is good and fosters the sense of community, sometimes the team needs to make some calls in order for the rules to be cohesive, make sense and be balanced. You have to be careful to keep certain factions within the community of dominating all others or even silencing them. Its not done with any sense of premeditation, but gamers are gamers and defend their favorite armies and game mechanic biases with passion. Keep that in mind. Level the playing field when necessary.
Finally, ALWAYS, ALWAYS thank the fans for their support. They are after all the reason your doing it.
Primarch
|
|
?
