What if i buy the character from asset store to be main character in game but also some of other game using that?
I mean if the other game developer used that as a main character on the steam and that game was popular… So, may i still buy that character on unity asset store and use it as a main character on my game too?
Yes it’s a possibility, but I don’t think I ever heard about such cases (doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen). But my advice would be to at least customize the assets you buy. It doesn’t matter at early stage of the project as much though.
Yes, it could happen. Also that’s the reason to avoid asset store, as certain characters are recognizable, and when user recognizes asset that makes the game look cheaper. Like with RPGmaker.
On steam I’ve seen the same goblin model in at least 5 different games. Then there are synthy’s assets which have recognizable art style despite being low poly.
I would say don’t use a non-exclusive asset for the ‘main’ character, unless somehow the main character isn’t an important part of your game.
It sort of depends on your game concept though. If the game play is unique enough, and that is what attracts players then props, environments and secondary elements it’s probably fine. If the character itself would be why your game is attractive, then you have nothing to offer if you’re using a character that’s not exclusively your design.
IMO it mostly matters to game dev communities. There might be some ‘tipping point’ when some assets (or style) will be also recognized by a lot of players though. Not sure if even Synty reached that point yet.
I’d say it matters to people who saw a lot of games or a lot of assets. However, those people are not majority.
Basically, I’m positive that I lose desire to check what the game is about if I recognize the asset pack used for characters. Following things almost completely kill any desire to investigate further what the game is about.
Obvious RPGMaker art .
DAZ Models for characters that I recognize.
AI art for characters.
And, yes, Synthy’s Assets. Specifically their eye style.
Note that I do not represent a normal gamer, because apparently in steam queue I saw 20 thousand titles. But the effect is certainly there. It is also somewhat selective. It is the strongest when applied to hero pieces or main character. Also, I think there are categories of items that are immune to it and are somewhat non-distinct by default.
If I think about it, strongest reaction is to faces. If the face was seen in another game, that’s a problem. That’s the reason for the problem with DAZ (people use same base model with same face), AI character art (multiple networks have tendency to produce identical faces). I think synthy’s models could’ve caused better reaction if they didn’t make eyes on their models and a faceless model would probably fall out of scope of this rejection effect.
I think your getting the purpose of the asset store wrong. A good dev would buy an asset, but heavily modify it (textures/mats/model/animations) to not only fit your game, but to make it different or “make its yours”.
Other wise you could be accused as a “asset-flipper” (someone who uses assets the way they are to make a quick profit). Sorry to say, but you have alot to learn, best of luck on your journey…
If two games having the same asset store character makes either of the games not worth playing, then it’s questionable what value the game provides?
The reality of making games is that they take way too long to make and have way too small a chance of success. Needlessly investing huge amounts of time and energy just for the sake of not annoying Jim Sterling is simply shooting yourself in the foot.
Personally when I see a game that looks well-made and is clearly using asset store stuff, I’m interested. There’s so much fantastic looking stuff on the store, especially creatures and environments, that I want to see brought to life, which are instead wasted on badly made games, if I even see them used at all. And a lot of well-made games compromise heavily on graphics and art just to be able to say that all their assets are original, and end up being visually boring.
At the end of the day you can’t please everybody, and I would rather piss off someone who doesn’t like me using assets than someone who really wants to enjoy my game to begin with.