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[POLL] need your thoughts on a theme.

7 replies [Last post]
Wed, 07/05/2017 - 11:49
spaff
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Hey all.

I've reached a critical point in my current design. The core game is there, but I haven't yet hit on a solid theme so there isn't a feedback loop between theme and mechanics yet.

Two days ago I came across what I believe is an interesting theme.

I put together a short survey with a couple questions on game type/theme/names- If you're interested in helping out I'd appreciate some feedback!

Note the survey requires a valid email - this is to stop spammers/bots. If you don't want to provide an email you can ignore the survey.

Thanks!

https://goo.gl/forms/HX6YMBYZPQnol1go1

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 04:49
#1
Demolitionist75
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Just...

...wanted to say that I like your potential theme :-)

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 09:01
#2
spaff
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thanks!

Thanks! to my knowledge it has not been done before.

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 10:47
#3
The Odd Fox
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I think the theme is a great

I think the theme is a great idea! I'd love to see what you do with it. As far as names go, the first one you mentioned is actually the name of a book by Joe Abercombie https://www.joeabercrombie.com/books/the-first-law/the-blade-itself/ so I would avoid using that one.

I suggested Blade and Barrel in the survey, but it might help to know a bit of the story and or mechanics before finding a suitable name.

Good luck!

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 14:12
#4
spaff
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Thanks for that name

Thanks for that name suggestion!

I saw that today and liked it a lot actually.

I could tell you a lot about the mechanics, but the story is still undeveloped.
But in a nutshell it's a hidden movement dudes-on-a-map game with the western theme.

I'm curious about copyright issues with "the blade itself." I'll likely not use it now as that was my working title before I decided to go with the western theme (And Blade and Barrel is way better if I still wanted a similar name feel!). But that is actually part of a quote from a Homer in the Odyssey, which Abercrombie attributes on the cover page. And the Odyssey is open source so....
Cry Havoc is in that same gray area. That's from a quote in the Shakespeare play 'Julius Caesar' and there were actually some earlier "cry havoc" board games.

So my gut is those names are fair game since they were originally borrowed from open source IP anyway? But I'm no IP lawyer

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 14:36
#5
FrankM
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Public domain is not the same as open source

Homer's works are in the public domain because any conceivable copyright has already elapsed (only because Disney wasn't around back then).

Open source is for software. The authors still retain copyright, but allow a very permissive license for anyone to use it under certain conditions. The conditions vary by license, but usually forbid folding the code into commercial software. FYI, not all open source software is free... some OS software aimed at the commercial market costs money, but the buyer is then licensed to fiddle with other the source code.

Th Creative Commons license is like open source but designed for things like photos and articles. A lot, but certainly not all, images you find on the Internet will have a CC license.

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 15:05
#6
spaff
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My apologies with semantic

My apologies with semantic Issues. Public domain.

My point is - both those phrases are from IP that is public domain.

That's the same reason "Pride Prejudice and Zombies" is a thing- because all of Jane Austins work is public domain.

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Thu, 07/06/2017 - 17:30
#7
The Odd Fox
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I feel more cultured now!

Thanks for taking time to talk about where "the blade itself" comes from as i wasn't aware of its genesis (or cry havoc for that matter). You would likely be fine to use the same title, as they can't lay claim to it, however, with popular names/titles the public may inadvertently confuse your game with having some connection with the book (though the cover art should immediately dispel that notion).

Glad you liked the alternate name though!

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