If someone had created a type of game based off of Nintendo characters and wanted to bring the idea to Nintendo, how would one go about patenting their idea? How would you even begin to contact Nintendo? Could something like this be done? Thanks.
Questions
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 16:14
Tue, 08/04/2009 - 21:52
#1
It's not "patenting" you're
It's not "patenting" you're worried about - it's licensing.
If you have a series of game mechanics, you may be able to copyright some or all or the combination of them, but you're treading on tough ground here that many of us do not care to walk. Someone else might be able to tell you more about the legal and IP ramifications of this scenario.
Furthermore, Nintendo of Japan has been printing hanafuda playing cards for over a century, making them a part of the board/card game culture in some small part. So they could just take an idea and produce it themselves a lot easier than other videogame companies could.
I'd want to talk to the person in charge of greenlighting such a project...if only for an excuse to go to Seattle.
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 01:40
#4
If . . .
. . . the only way your game mechanics work is with nintendo characters, you might consider how good that set of mechanics is.
There's other ways to make games, other than trying to sell the idea to one of the biggest game makers in the world (which as you acknowledge, would be very hard!)
:)
Thu, 08/06/2009 - 02:01
#6
They seem . . .
. . . to be releasing miniatures of everything these days, so I wouldn't be surprised to see a nintendo themed one, but I'd definitely consider developing your game with its own theme, especially if the use of their stuff is your biggest hurdle.
I would totally try a game that captured the feel of star fox or zelda 64, and probably more-so if it had an original storyline!
;)
Sat, 08/08/2009 - 02:21
#7
I may be of help to you
I have posted a number of times under "advice on royalty sharing." You may find some helpful info there. Good luck my friend.
RDR
Solomon's Thoughts, Inc.
Thanks for the information. I knew the process of getting anything accomplished would be incredibly hard. I'm completely new to the whole field of designing games and could use any and all given advice.
My main and primary concerns were the specific ways of copyrighting and licensing my ideas. Since I would be "using" Nintendo characters, I knew I would obviously have to be very careful.