So I am using some 3D models from various websites like TF3DM etc they have both paid and free models
However suppose I used models here and I created either a game or I created assets to sell on Unity store.
How do I know that these people didn’t create these models with student license or pirated software?
should we be worried about things like this? I mean we have no control over these things but I read on this very same forum that lots of assets on the Unity Asset Store is made from student version of Maya etc apparently experts can detect it.
Read the licenses for the assets. Most don’t allow redistribution, so the selling on the asset store is out.
You have complete control over it what you sell. If you don’t have or don’t know the proper legal status of something simply don’t use it. The simplest answer is always only sell and use what you create. (Or commissioned from a trustworthy source).
Additionally be wary of assets that are made to closely resemble their real life counterparts. Among the easiest examples of this to find are cars. Just check out this Lamborghini Aventador on TF3DM. You won’t be able to use it in any way without a special license from Lamborghini themselves.
Just to add it is also very dangerous to use stuff from non-gaming sites because they will probably not be optimized for games. I used to check a lot of sites for ´free stuff´… but after awhile it became obvious that most of what you get from general modeling sites are unusable.
Finally, most of the stuff from that site is personal use only because it has been ripped from major games, so if you tried to use it in a commercial game they would come after you.
I see many assets pirated and I’m sure unity is aware of this. But if somebody just uses a pirated asset on his game and sells it will he get fined or copyrighted? If possible give me a example. Also how can unity tell it is being pirated?
Imagine trying to participate in Formula I race in a stolen car. Same thing. Using pirated assets in a game you want to publish requires an extra degree of stupid.
Here’s a story about producing music with pirated software:
One of the more recent examples of a pirated asset being used in a game can be found below. An artist stole assets from Call of Duty for a game. Activision responded by issuing a DMCA takedown notice to Steam and the game was taken down.
By the way the artist lost his job and I wouldn’t be surprised if this negatively affects his ability to get future jobs too.
If your game enjoys any level of success, you will be found out. Once you’ve been outed, you’ll be subject to a variety of fines and legal challenges.
Best case scenario it becomes more expensive then simply buying lisence a up front. Worst case scenario your game gets taken down and you get banned from all of the relevant markets.
Imagine trying to participate in Formula I race in a stolen car. Same thing. Using pirated assets in a game you want to publish requires an extra degree of stupid.
Here’s a story about producing music with pirated software:
Basically, just don’t. It is asking for trouble and for no good reason.[/QUOTE]
How could they know he used a pirated Cubase? not sure I understand that post. What about all the assets and games made using pirated Maya, Cinema 4D and Modo? how do they catch those folks? I am guessing if your game attracts attention its possible they could know? but do you really think Autodesk could find out if a game was created with a pirated Maya?
It makes you wonder, how many stuff on the Unity Asset store was made using pirated Maya etc? How many games on Steam and Play Store was made using pirated Maya?
Piracy is rampant in the 3rd world this is a fact. I don’t see how it could ever be feasible for Autodesk to travel to a 3rd world country to sue a small indie studio operating out of a shack, even worse if this makes news. But what I suspect is they could have that game taken down from steam which would be equally as bad for the developer but would they really do this?
I imagine most people who pirate really never make anything worthwhile. If they do, it is not difficult for the companies to connect names. They will know if you become famous for your game if you do not have a license. If you never release or if your game bombs, they may think you worth their time.
But still…is that a chance you really want to take?
It doesn’t matter how they catch folks or how many or who they choose to go after. The reality is that they can and do. And the results are much more costly than it would be to have just purchased/licensed them properly in the first place.
As @Teila pointed out, it is a risk. And those who are putting in the effort to get around paying for things, aren’t the ones who are the ones putting in the effort to make a game that will be successful. And given that nearly everything you need to make a game is free, (like as mentioned, blender), piracy isn’t worth the risk.
Extremely good point!! While some companies, like Autodesk mark items made with educational licenses (Steam has caught a few), others like Adobe offer a low cost educational license that can be used on commercial products. Blender is great and all free as is Unity 5 Personal Edition. Both can be used free. Unity’s free version is exactly like the pro version other than a few services that you won’t need for a while.
Sculptris is free too if you want to try your hand at sculpting. Gimp, similar to Photoshop is free.
Lots of free game art too if you look around. Try Turbosquid as they have some free models. The asset store has pages of free assets. Also, opengameart is a good place for free music, art and other stuff. Lots of other free or very low cost music out there, some of it amazing. Almost forgot, Unity gives away tons of free stuff, models, image effects, lighting, characters, an entire viking village, etc. Make a game out of those.
Best of all, all the free tutorials out there on YouTube, many made by users.
Do it right, use free assets, concentrate on your mechanics, and then make a game that is truly your own. If it is fun, you can later update the assets.
Another idea, save up your allowance, beer or pizza money, or that Xmas check from grandma and buy one of the completed game projects on the asset store. You can use that as a template. Some even come with assets.