   Releasing a breakout clone?
  Hello,I am building a Breakout type of game, instead of blocks I am using stars, and the bouncer is a comic type cartoon. Because I use a bouncing ball to remove the stars it looks like a Arkanoid clone. Can I get problems if I release this game?Or any sites/places where I can find more information about this?Thanks for any Help,gr, Rick 
quote:Original post by rickr    Because I use a bouncing ball to remove the stars it looks like a Arkanoid clone.I think you mean it plays like an arkanoid clone but looks different because you have your own graphics. Provided it sounds different as well then you should be ok. The idea/gameplay of arkanoid isn't copyright but the exact look (and sound) would be, so changing the look means you are ok. Dan MarchantObscure ProductionsGame Development & Design consultant   [edited by - obscure on July 31, 2003 8:02:35 AM];  Hi!Look @ this:http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=/netahtml/srchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=6,579,177.WKU.&OS=PN/6,579,177&RS=PN/6,579,177odie76 has posted in "my" thread:http://www.gamedev.net/community/forums/topic.asp?topic_id=170814McMc;  Thanks for your answers!, while I am continue to develop my game, I am going to put as much 'original' gameplay components in as possible. The patent McMc posted is so global(?) that you can fit any type of puzzle game in it. How many Tetris like clones are out there? The whole game patent rules should be more clear, because it can demotivate starting developers.greetings, Rick [edited by - rickr on August 1, 2003 2:37:04 AM]