Archive: 18 posts

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Hi, I got some level inspiration from a game, but now I'm trying to decide if I should go with the game IP completely, or just use the ideas they gave me in a new (similar) context. The deciding factor will probably be which will work best for the level, but I am also contemplating the use of IP in general. On the pro side, it can be a great source of inspiration to be forced to conform to the IP, and you already know the overall look of the level. It has instant appeal to those familiar with the IP, and they get an idea of what to expect just from the level's name. On the con side, you have to stick to the IP, or risk scoffing the fans. You might have to discard a great idea, just because it totally goes against the IP. Level size/thermo restrictions can force you to skip large chunks of the story, and some things just are impossible to make look good in LBP. So what are your thoughts and experiences with IP?

2009-09-16 15:16:00 Author: Rogar Posts: 2284

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What do you want to use. Sony stuff is fine in general and so are EA games by the looks of it. PS: I'm all for using someone elses work as inspiration, but it's better to than adapt in such a way that it is hardly recognizable.

2009-09-16 15:20:00 Author: Syroc Posts: 3193

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I'm sure it's safe to use, I'm just wondering if I should.

2009-09-16 15:28:00 Author: Rogar Posts: 2284

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Did you just read the thread title and then skip to quick reply or what? That's clearly not the question being asked here. Personally I wouldn't. I'd rather take thematic elements and turn them into something of my own. Yeah, you won't get the same plays that all the tribute levels get but meh. Depends how close you plan on running it. If it's clearly going to be very similar to an existing idea, then call it a tribute level and be honest about it, otherwise people will figure you are just trying to rip someone off.

2009-09-16 16:20:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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I'll get a bit more explicit here, since there's tons of levels around already (which in my view is also a con). The background noises in the Elephant Temple background to me sound just like sneaking around in the jungle of MGS3: Snake Eater. Normally I wouldn't go with existing IP, I could go with a safari theme, or alien monsters or whatever. Also, my intended focus on sneaking in stead of paint balls might go against player expectations. And in order to make it MGS3, I'd have to include at least some of the boss battles, I don't know if I can do them justice (perfectionist that I am). But the whole inspiration of the level is from those animal noises... it's just so Snake Eater!

2009-09-18 11:28:00 Author: Rogar Posts: 2284

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As long as you don't call it Operation Sackeater, cause that's the name of an old level of mine.

2009-09-18 12:10:00 Author: Syroc Posts: 3193

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I have a series of Tomb Raider levels, but tbh I really wish now that I'd called them something else. The only thing remotely TR about them is the setting, everything else is completely original. On the other hand, I've also made a Sonic Greenhill Zone level that's pretty much an exact copy of the orginal, so it's a tribute level in every way and I'm happy for it to be just that. So depends really, if you're intending to add your own ideas, I'd suggest making it your own. Don't sell yourself short.

2009-09-18 12:21:00 Author: Kiminski Posts: 545

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lol rtm223. I hate it when people don't read posts and just quick reply Then you have a whole thread of different bunch of people repeating the same stuff! Back on topic: I really don't think copying a IP works. Each individual person has a different idea to what theysee in the game. Some might like the story of the game, where as others like the actual gameplay. So if you are copying the IP for the story.... then you certainly won't get the gameplay fans happy. I personally don't like tribute levels or levels that copy IPs. It just looks like they stole the name to sell their level. Like the many Mirror's Edge and Nightmare Before Christmas levels. The ME levels are all just time trials.... and the only similarity I see in the level and the game are the colors.... And i hate the NMBC levels because it just seems so off. I really don't think Skeleton Jack would say "Hey! I need to find a key, can you find it for me?" It also depends on who your targeting, are you targeting the fans of the game, or just the LBP community in general? Like Kiminski said, if you are going to add in your own ideas you should make it your own.

2009-09-18 13:12:00 Author: snowyjoe Posts: 509

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I've got to agree with those two, especially from your elaborations. To me it sounds like you've been inspired to mimic one aspect of the gameplay. I say run with that, make it a generic stealth-em-up and just do what ever you want. As long as you don't tout it as an MGS level, people won't judge it as such, so the lack of boss fights will be moot. Also, if you're planning on making a proper stealth-em-up, you might want to use a modified version of my sneak sensor - I'd love to see that used to evade turrets and sentries etc [/shameless plug]

2009-09-18 13:17:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Snake Eater~~~~ I just love the opening sequence and when Snake jumps off that Plane. Ta da ta da ta da da ta da (failed attempt at typing the OST......)

2009-09-18 13:25:00 Author: snowyjoe Posts: 509

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I agree with what rtm has said about making it a generic "stealth-em-up" [weirdo]. If you want some crossover, make small references to MGS that only those who played it would understand. As an example of how a tribute can be successful without copying directly, I direct you to my Aperture Science Trilogy. The beginning and end are very similar to portal, but most of the stuff in between is completely lbp. I've been waiting for someone to release a truly great stealth level, so I wish you luck.

2009-09-18 13:31:00 Author: comphermc Posts: 5338

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It's a proper genre: Results 1 - 10 of about 198,000 for "stealth-em-up". (0.18 seconds) google phrase search (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-GB%3Aofficial&hs=k4c&q=%22stealth-em-up%22&aq=f&oq=&aqi=). .

2009-09-18 13:34:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Yeah, well.... you're still weird!

2009-09-18 14:03:00 Author: comphermc Posts: 5338

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Each individual person has a different idea to what theysee in the game. Some might like the story of the game, where as others like the actual gameplay. So if you are copying the IP for the story.... then you certainly won't get the gameplay fans happy. It would be the other way around, gameplay with just a bit of the story (there's way too much story there to fit in LBP anyway ). There is a risk fans will hate it, but on the other hand, the most important for me is that I like it. Furthermore, there's a kind of thrill in the challenge of trying to convert gameplay from another game into good LBP mechanics. That is, if you can pull it off. I've got to agree with those two, especially from your elaborations. To me it sounds like you've been inspired to mimic one aspect of the gameplay. I say run with that, make it a generic stealth-em-up and just do what ever you want. As long as you don't tout it as an MGS level, people won't judge it as such, so the lack of boss fights will be moot. Also, if you're planning on making a proper stealth-em-up, you might want to use a modified version of my sneak sensor - I'd love to see that used to evade turrets and sentries etc [/shameless plug] I had a look at your Subteranean Setbacks thread, and I will have to find some time to play it. I expect my sneak plans are very similar to your sneak sensor, and I never considered multiplayer. I'll have to give that a good bit of thought, as I usually play two-player.

2009-09-18 14:56:00 Author: Rogar Posts: 2284

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I had a look at your Subteranean Setbacks thread, and I will have to find some time to play it. I expect my sneak plans are very similar to your sneak sensor, and I never considered multiplayer. I'll have to give that a good bit of thought, as I usually play two-player. Accurately tracking sackperson velocity with two players is going to be nearly impossible. There are various techniques that I could think of, but none would actually work properly. YOu have to deal with the fact that they can split up. Actually 2P might be possible, I don't think 3 or 4 is though. And it will be very tough!

2009-09-18 15:06:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Do whatever you feel most inspired to do. I have an MGS level I made, didn't plan on it. I was playing MGS4 one day and thought how cool it would be to make a Gekko in LBP, a real one, not like almost every other one that's just a sticker on a piece of cardboard. So I spent a few hours making it and I really liked how it turned out. Then I made Drebin's vehicle and got a whole bunch of other inspiration for an MGS level. You can make an MGS level, and an original level. It doesn't have to be based on MGS3, it can be your own story and settings that's inspired by various Metal Gear aspects. Check out my level 'Metal Gear Solid: The Philanthropy Files' You'll recognize many elements from the MGS universe but it's not based on any MGS game. I could have removed a few obvious MGS references, and named it something else, then it would've been an original level. But I had more fun basing it off MGS. Just do whatever you'll enjoy more.

2009-09-19 06:19:00 Author: TripleTremelo Posts: 490

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I personnaly don't have problem with IP in LBP. I mean, i constructed a four level series on the Lord of the Ring theme, that follow the story. I do not feel to steel anything, but just to do my best tribute to this incredible book! And i didn't do that to sold my level, as i can have read it here, since there is not "Lord of the Ring" in the title of the levels (I called them: "The Bearer")...

2009-09-19 09:10:00 Author: Takelow Posts: 1355

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Borrow from it. Take Super Mario Bros. for example. There's a million levels out there based on this IP. Firstly, there's levels that copy it pixel for pixel more or less. While these are nostalgic, the gameplay usually suffers because let's face it, you can't outdo Super Mario Bros. Then there's levels that borrow from it, like steve_big_guns' Super Mario PS3. These usually fare better, since they don't try and outdo the IP but instead borrow it's ideas and translate them to LittleBigPlanet. On the other hand, CaptainCowboyHat's OH NO!!! series is obviously inspired by Super Mario Bros., but similar only in concept and for the better. Had he opted to just "copy" the IP, we probably wouldn't of seen his witty dialogue since he'd be bound by the world of Mario. "stealth-em-up" [weirdo]. I was gonna call him weird too, then I remembered how silly "tactical espionage action" sounds.

2009-09-20 16:05:00 Author: EVOin3D Posts: 91

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