Skool Daze

Want to talks about games you like, would like to see developed on the Oric, it's here.
coolman66
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ORIC T-SHIRT

Post by coolman66 »

Read the comments about the ORIC t-shirts ,They are available on the E-BAY UK site in the vintage computer section ORIC page ,all sizes about 10 pound ,I am always wearing mine and hoping people might tap me on the shoulder and say I HAD ONE OF THOSE.
COOLMAN66
Antiriad2097
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Post by Antiriad2097 »

<tap> I had one of those.

Lunch at your house next time. Best warn the missus I'm veggie ;)
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Chema
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Post by Chema »

Hi guys. Some possibly bad news about this project.

Skool Daze's rights are currently owned by Alternative Software, as you may know. Also this company is releasing (selling) versions of these old "classic" games to be playable under new platforms (such as iPhone).

I contacted them to ask for permission for releasing the Oric version and they (surprisingly, but understandably) expressed they concerns about people being able to play it with current emulators on modern platforms for free.

I emailed them more than a week ago again stating that we are no competitors, and that this version is for interest only for the (really small) Oric community, so it is nearly impossible that it could jeopardize their interests.

But I got no second answer... At least not yet.

Obviously I cannot publish the game without their permission, and they have the right to say "NO", so I am basically stuck.

This is, of course, very unmotivating for me, after all the effort and excitement I put on this game, which is, by the way, now finished.

I really hope to have an answer soon saying that I can publish it, but in the meantime I can't do anything but wait.

I do not want to complain about the situation (I insist they have the rights, so it is up to them to do me the favour and let me release this Oric version), but I don't want to keep this thread silent for so long, such as if I had stopped developing, moreover when the new version of Oricutron (which is able to run the game) has been released.

Cheers
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barnsey123
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Post by barnsey123 »

WTF!?

I mean...I'm speechless. Call it "Chema's Skool Daze" and damn them.
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Post by Godzil »

Chema wrote:Hi guys. Some possibly bad news about this project.

Skool Daze's rights are currently owned by Alternative Software, as you may know. Also this company is releasing (selling) versions of these old "classic" games to be playable under new platforms (such as iPhone).

I contacted them to ask for permission for releasing the Oric version and they (surprisingly, but understandably) expressed they concerns about people being able to play it with current emulators on modern platforms for free.

I emailed them more than a week ago again stating that we are no competitors, and that this version is for interest only for the (really small) Oric community, so it is nearly impossible that it could jeopardize their interests.

But I got no second answer... At least not yet.

Obviously I cannot publish the game without their permission, and they have the right to say "NO", so I am basically stuck.

This is, of course, very unmotivating for me, after all the effort and excitement I put on this game, which is, by the way, now finished.

I really hope to have an answer soon saying that I can publish it, but in the meantime I can't do anything but wait.

I do not want to complain about the situation (I insist they have the rights, so it is up to them to do me the favour and let me release this Oric version), but I don't want to keep this thread silent for so long, such as if I had stopped developing, moreover when the new version of Oricutron (which is able to run the game) has been released.

Cheers
Ho Crap!
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barnsey123
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Post by barnsey123 »

Hi Chema,

Your version isn't a straight port right? It includes lots of code not present in the original. This project was not an exercise in "cut & paste", it's not a COPY in any real sense.

Take lack of response as lack of interest (and it's ALWAYS easier to apologise than to ask permission...)

If it all goes wrong, we'll visit you in prison. :)
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SkoolKid
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Post by SkoolKid »

I'm not sure that Alternative Software has any legal right to prevent Chema from releasing his version of Skool Daze, because it's not a direct derivative work - it's a complete rewrite in a different programming language.

The only doubt I have is about the game graphics - which are pretty much a straight copy of the original. If Alternative Software made a fuss about that, at least it would be fixable: simply (!) create some new artwork.

Incidentally, I've had to consider these same questions with regard to my project Pyskool, which also uses the original game graphics. I do have plans to create (or sucker someone else into creating ;) ) alternative artwork, but I haven't got round to it yet.

Anyway, Chema, I hope you can resolve this problem satisfactorily and soon.
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kenneth
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Post by kenneth »

This is not an easy copy but an adaptation for Oric with much work of programming for Oric. I think it should mention the name of the original creator of the game and add "adapted for Oric by Chema". I do not think that they will blame Chema to advertising for their game. :wink:
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Post by Antiriad2097 »

Hard as this may seem, there's no escaping Alternative's copyright. Simply saying 'it's a new version' won't work. Its clearly a copy not just in visuals, but with its timetable, the AI methods, the game objectives and means of achieving them...

Aside from it being a port of the code to a new platform, almost every other aspect is the same or close enough to it to infringe copyright.

We can but hope that Alternative see this as having no impact on their current release of the game on iOS and perhaps realise that the publicity it generates across the retro gaming media may drive sales of their version. Certainly the Oric market is so small it won't hurt in any noticeable way if it gets its release.

Perhaps even a cross promotion? Buy the iOS version, get the Oric version free? There has to be room for an official approval or release.
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Chema
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Post by Chema »

We must admit that Antiriad is right. The game obviously infringes copyright, and it is Alternative Software's deicision.

Despite what we may think (I personnaly think that their concerns are completely unmotivated), they are protecting their interests and have all the rights to prevent this game from being released.

That being said, I still hope they will reconsider their position and only ask us to advertize their iPhone's version and their company in the game's website.

BTW, the game screen already contains the text "Original Spectrum game by David Reidy - Oric port by Chema", and Alternative are said to hold the rights of the game in the readme file (though I think it is not updated in the website).
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Post by Twilighte »

Hey chema, god, thats real bad news and u put so much work into it.

Perhaps rather than listening directly to Alternative Software's opinion, you might seek other help such as from Simon Ullyatt of Chronosoft who specialises in publishing new 8 bit games.

I would have thought he was the best guy to ask regards this potentially bombshell.

He's still an Oric fan and was also the editor of Rhetoric Oric Magazine.

You can find him on Facebook or email me and i may b able to provide his email address.

Just a suggestion
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Post by Godzil »

Twilighte wrote:Hey chema, god, thats real bad news and u put so much work into it.

Perhaps rather than listening directly to Alternative Software's opinion, you might seek other help such as from Simon Ullyatt of Chronosoft who specialises in publishing new 8 bit games.

I would have thought he was the best guy to ask regards this potentially bombshell.

He's still an Oric fan and was also the editor of Rhetoric Oric Magazine.

You can find him on Facebook or email me and i may b able to provide his email address.

Just a suggestion
BTW, maybe contacting the original author may help. Alternative Software may have some right on the game, but the original author (at least in French law) still have some rights, and his voice may have some authority too
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Chema
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Post by Chema »

Not sure guys. I may email them again asking for a somewhat definite decision (in their only email they just expressed their concerns). It's been a while now...

If they say "no", then I might consider other options, or maybe live with the fact that SD cannot be released. And surely reconsidering making any other remake...

Any advice?
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Post by Antiriad2097 »

Might I suggest getting in touch with WorldofSpectrum.org and asking there who deals with the distribution issues?

They have the Spectrum version so they should have had the necessary permissions granted. If they have an inside contact or some agreement it may be that they can give some leverage for a similar arrangement?
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Symoon
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Post by Symoon »

Maybe the original author also has his word on this?
BTW, there's a Windows remake there: http://retrospec.sgn.net/users/rjordan/klass/
Of, it's from 2003, but it would be much more a problem than an Oric release IMHO.
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