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Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

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Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#61

Funny thing, I tried to play SC on a LAN last week. No go on my MacBook though. Wine gives graphics glitches and VMWare Fusion was too slow on my ageing MBP. I downloaded version 1.0 of this and it seems to work quite well! The version live at http://www.nvhae.com/starcraft/ is 0.1. Guess we shouldn't hope for multiplayer, which is what I'm really after.

You can use the rawgit to view the current version (1.0) - https://rawgit.com/gloomyson/StarCraft/master/index.html

pls link cdn rawgit, the normal rawgit is already handing 503 because the project quota ended

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#62

Amazing work! Red Alert next??

To replace sprite images and sounds in my game will easily change it to another RTS like Red Alert, but i'm nervous about the copyright now, I just want to produce my own game for fun so if I make RedAlert, will not upload to github again

Your code is still yours. The assets might not, but you can reproduce similar gameplay. Release it without the graphics and have people gather assets somewhere else (or find some free ones as suggested), as done with games like OpenTTD.

It is cool and impressive what you've achieved here, don't let that discourage you. Keep building these things.

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#64
post #41
post #21

This is awesome, but as others have said, the Blizzard legal team will come knocking on your door very soon. If I were you and if you're serious about continuing working on this, I would take this down immediately, get in touch with their legal team and see if you can work something out with them to get their blessing on this. They're not evil, it's their job to protect copyrighted assets, without them Blizzard would…

Pretty sure contacting Blizzard legal team would be dumbest thing ever because you'll never get an answer or just get youself in trouble. Best solution is to remove current repository (or make it private) and then create new repo without copyrighted stuff.

That, or remove said assets and scrub the history.. as another thread mentions there are sites with open game assets that can be used... or simple sketch patterns and generated voice assets can be used in the interim until better assets can be released.

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#65
post #55

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have to care in some circumstances unfortunately, if they are aware of an IP infringement and don't action it, it can be used as evidence further down the line for bigger infringement cases.

Trademark is the only form of intellectual property (IP) for which selective enforcement is a problem. Presumably the name of the game is trademarked but the images & audio are covered by copyright law, not trademark.

IANAL but if Blizzard is aware of this copyright infringement and do not act on it, the developer can go for an acquiescence defence. If successful, Blizzard surrender their rights in that particular project.

This could potentially have an effect on the value of their IP which can give leverage to potential acquirers/investors.

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#66
post #5

Looks funny, but I recommend you to remove all proprietary Blizzard graphics from GitHub and possible just recreate repository without it. If you want to host assets there better to keep them in different repository. Otherwise you'll clearly get DMCA because Blizzard has long history of banning any project even remotely copying their products no matter if it's done for fun or whatever. PS: It's also affect repository…

Meanwhile, DOTA2 is a thing...

> Meanwhile, DOTA2 is a thing...

After an IP battle that was settled out of court.[1] Valve also does not use any of Blizzard's assets in Dota 2.

[1]: http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/11/blizzard-and-valve-settle...

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#67
post #21

This is awesome, but as others have said, the Blizzard legal team will come knocking on your door very soon. If I were you and if you're serious about continuing working on this, I would take this down immediately, get in touch with their legal team and see if you can work something out with them to get their blessing on this. They're not evil, it's their job to protect copyrighted assets, without them Blizzard would…

I guess it won't be hard to partner with an indie game artist, replace the sprites and title and turn it into an original game.

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#68
post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Much thanks for you recommend, I make this game just because I love this old StarCraft game so much and want to realize it in web browser, no plan for make money, and it's much weaker than the original Blizzard game

Fact that you don't make money off it would work for almost any game developer, but not Blizzard. In past they take down several open source projects just because of their name or clean room reverse engineering. And you're basically pirating their game assets.

>Fact that you don't make money off it would work for almost any game developer

It really wouldn't. I know it's fun to imagine Blizzard as an oppressive corporation overlord, but any developer in the world will take steps to protect their IP.

Re: Show HN: HTML5 version of StarCraft

#70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Much thanks for you recommend, I make this game just because I love this old StarCraft game so much and want to realize it in web browser, no plan for make money, and it's much weaker than the original Blizzard game

Yeah, it kind of sucks but there is some ambiguity in the law when to comes to making fan art/games. But basically as I understand it you can't publicly distribute a game with the same exact title, characters, story and look. You are given some leeway to parody but should tread carefully there too. So for example: StellarCraft featuring Zerps, Terrags and Protians and use similar but reasonably distinct looks for eve…

I was hoping you'd have written Proteins. But I agree, sadly sometimes projects like these provide a significant learning outcome see:

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/124171/Opinion_Reverse_En...

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