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Has Nintendo shut down a game because it cloned the gameplay of one of their games? (programming.dev)

submitted 4 months ago by Zibetnu@programming.dev to c/gamedev@programming.dev

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I'm developing a game that very closely mimics the gameplay of the ghost minigame from Nintendo Land. I'm not including Nintendo characters, names, etc.

Is there any precedent of Nintendo going after people for something like this?

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[–] NocturnalMorning@lemmy.world 19 points 4 months ago (3 children)

As far as I'm aware you cannot copyright game mechanics. The only instance of a copyright of a mechanic I'm aware of is from a lord of the rings leveling system (can't remember the name off the top of my head)

[–] GeekyOnion@lemmy.world 22 points 4 months ago

I think it was their “nemesis system” or something like that.

[–] Charzard4261@programming.dev 11 points 4 months ago

There has been several game "mechanics" that have been patented in the past. Two examples I know off the top of my head are "overhead arrows that point in the direction of the destination" and "minigames during loading screens".

That said, these were applied for specifically as patents in the US, and every other game made does not go through this process (especially since I doubt that this would worm in this day and age... I hope, wtf is going on across the pond) especially for entire game concepts, and OP is definitely in the clear.

[–] CobblerScholar@lemmy.world 8 points 4 months ago

They at least tried to patent the Tears of the Kingdom Zonai manipulation mechanic if I remember right