Hello! I want to publish my first asset pack here, but my car models are quite similar in style to Synty Studios ones from their Polygon series, so I’m bit afraid of having issues with this publisher because they may report me for copying their assets. Will I have any troubles or not? Cars only match theirs with style, models themselves are completely different.
Not a lawyer, but “look and feel” is generally up for grabs. In the game business that’s easy to see. Anyone can copy a popular game as long as they don’t steal the assets or the name.
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I’m no expert on the subject, but here’s how I think the world works:
Who can say until we see just how “similar” they are. I mean, if they are a direct copy (or close enough that it looks like the only differences exist purely to hide the fact that they are direct copies) then yeah, you should expect a bit of flack.
Other than that. Synty Studios doesn’t own the concept of low poly, and from what I’ve seen, their models don’t appear to have any unique characteristics that are unmistakably Synty Studios, other than being great quality.
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A style isn’t something that is subject to copyright or any other form of protected IP. You’d have to be copying more than just the style to get into a copyright issue.
In theory, if the art style was unique and the only means of generating that art style were also a unique invention of your own, you could patent the means of generating that art style. Then go after anyone else who copied that art style on the assumption they have infringed on your patent for the device needed to generate that art style. (for example, you invent some new 3D laser cutting process and patent your invention, someone else uses your patented process without permission to generate competing art, you go after them for the patent violation for the laser cutter instead of the art itself) Until someone else comes up with a process to create that art style with a process which does not infringe on your patent, you’ve effectively patented the art style itself indirectly. But I highly doubt this is the case here.
Interestingly, one of the biggest problems with the Asset Store is getting enough art for your game in the same art style. A single Asset Store publisher usually will not have created enough art of various types to cover all your unique needs. So strangely, in my opinion by creating art in the same style as another publisher you are actually adding value to their offerings rather than taking away, since now you increase the usefulness of their assets since more art of the same style is available.
I Am Not A Lawyer
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That’s perfectly fine, but if you are going to make something in the same style as Synty Studios, why not make something that they don’t already make? Then people who already have the Synty Studios cars will have a reason to buy your asset too.
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I checked them out, not a fan of low poly but they seem to have no buildings with interiors for their city asset.
Make buildings with interiors in same style. That adds value to an existing asset. If you just make another city asset that will not add much value.
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Having multiple assets of a certain style ADDS to the the value of one another.
People are more likely to buy assets that have more fleshed out sets.
I’m positive that the other sellers will not see it as competition.
Well, if they’re smart they won’t.