166 réponses à ce sujet

[Shadow Fox]

Plaintiff wrote...

Former_Fiend wrote...

Better question; why don't we have mindflayers? Mindflayers would be much better.

Or, or, I know this sounds crazy, but what if Thedas was populated by original species that the writers made up themselves.

Like what?Everything's been done.

[The Hierophant]

Plaintiff wrote...

Former_Fiend wrote...

Better question; why don't we have mindflayers? Mindflayers would be much better.

Or, or, I know this sounds crazy, but what if Thedas was populated by original species that the writers made up themselves.

With the sheer number of myths, and fantasy works in existence people would still decry their ideas as derivative.

[Plaintiff]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

[Shadow Fox]

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

More seeking proof that originality still exists but okay...
Medieval Fantasy has.
For you.
Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

Modifié par Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke, 03 octobre 2013 - 05:58 .

[Plaintiff]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

[Shadow Fox]

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

[The Hierophant]

Nah, the both of you have to think outside the box, like...

There should be a yearly competition in which every aspiring, amatuer, and professional fantasy writer who wishes to reuse preexisting races/cultures of any genre in their work must all challenge each other to mortal kombat until there is only one left. When there is only the one they'll be granted the right to have their work labeled as original for one whole year.

[Plaintiff]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

Sure, but those aren't "new names", they're someone else's names that already exist.

[TEWR]

The Hierophant wrote...

Nah, the both of you have to think outside the box, like...

There should be a yearly competition in which every aspiring, amatuer, and professional fantasy writer who wishes to reuse preexisting races/cultures of any genre in their work must all challenge each other to mortal kombat until there is only one left. When there is only the one they'll be granted the right to have their work labeled as original for one whole year.

So... Afro Samurai for writers?

[Plaintiff]

Well, it would thin down the number of fantasy works that use elves and dwarves.

Works for me.

[The Hierophant]

The Ethereal Writer Redux wrote...

The Hierophant wrote...

Nah, the both of you have to think outside the box, like...

There should be a yearly competition in which every aspiring, amatuer, and professional fantasy writer who wishes to reuse preexisting races/cultures of any genre in their work must all challenge each other to mortal kombat until there is only one left. When there is only the one they'll be granted the right to have their work labeled as original for one whole year.

So... Afro Samurai for writers?

Yes.

[Shadow Fox]

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

Sure, but those aren't "new names", they're someone else's names that already exist.

And why do you think those names where made?It was so they and the interpations of elves they hold could be trademarked in other words you can make a pale skinned red eyed pointy eared race that worships a Night Goddess but they can't be too similar to Dunmer and Azura.

[TEWR]

Personally, for the novel I'm working on I'm using both existing mythos/folklore for creatures and races -- yes, Elves and Dwarves are present, along with other races -- but I'm also trying to create a few original creatures, maybe even an original race as well.

To be honest, trying to be "original" in regards to new creatures or races is harder then it sounds. Building a universe, building societies, is a time-consuming and arduous process that can't just be done easily on a whim. It's not as simple as slapping a new name on something, or even taking a glimpse at a different culture for a foundation.

For me, anyway.

Sure, the name can be copyrighted and the idea itself can't, but a lot of the distinctions in the writing world are... from my experience at least, lost on a lot of people.

As I write, I worry if people will just say "This is a rip-off of X" if I ever publish this. I shouldn't, I know that, but that fear is there all the time and it frustrates me as I write, because I'm spending a ****load of time investing in the universe I'm making.

Alas, I'm spending too much time on the BSN right now. Back to finishing up Chapter 4!

The Hierophant wrote...

The Ethereal Writer Redux wrote...

The Hierophant wrote...

Nah, the both of you have to think outside the box, like...

There should be a yearly competition in which every aspiring, amatuer, and professional fantasy writer who wishes to reuse preexisting races/cultures of any genre in their work must all challenge each other to mortal kombat until there is only one left. When there is only the one they'll be granted the right to have their work labeled as original for one whole year.

So... Afro Samurai for writers?

Yes.

Works for me. This gets the TEWR Seal of Approval.

Modifié par The Ethereal Writer Redux, 03 octobre 2013 - 06:37 .

[Silfren]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

You can copyright the name.  NOT the idea.

[Shadow Fox]

Silfren wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

You can copyright the name.  NOT the idea.

What I mean is basically you can't sue someone for making a race called Dark Elves but you could if they tried to call it Dunmer or copied them.

[Silfren]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Silfren wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Plaintiff wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...
Like what? Everything's been done.

Well if I gave you examples, it wouldn't be their original idea, now would it.

Everything may have been done, but not everything has been done as much as elves and dwarves have been done.

Even if they just looked to other cultural myths for their inspiration, instead of limiting themselves to Norse folklore, from which elves and dwarves are derived, that would be fantastic.

Hell, even if they'd just slapped new names on them, that would've been a start. A new name at least indicates a desire to be innovative, even if not the actual capability.

Not really it's mostly to avoid lawsuits.

There's no lawsuits to avoid. You can't copyright myths, they're cultural property.

If you're correct, and literally everything has been done, then every author is committing plaigirism all of the time, so trying to avoid a lawsuit is pointless.

While you can't copyright elves you can copyright Drows or Dunmer,Altmer.Bosmer etc...

You can copyright the name.  NOT the idea.

What I mean is basically you can't sue someone for making a race called Dark Elves but you could if they tried to call it Dunmer or copied them.

Yeah, but nobody's talking about stealing names.  And if you don't use the same names, I think it would be pretty damned hard to bring a lawsuit over something being copied.

Look at Tolkien's Gandalf, or Rowling's Dumbledore, or Merlin from the Arthurian tales.  The names are all different, but all of them--and many other examples--are all direct copies from none other than the Norse God Odin.

[Shadow Fox]

Silfren wrote...



Yeah, but nobody's talking about stealing names.  And if you don't use the same names, I think it would be pretty damned hard to bring a lawsuit over something being copied.

Look at Tolkien's Gandalf, or Rowling's Dumbledore, or Merlin from the Arthurian tales.  The names are all different, but all of them--and many other examples--are all direct copies from none other than the Norse God Odin.

I think it would depend on how similar they are and how lawsuit trigger happy certain companies are.

Modifié par Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke, 03 octobre 2013 - 07:00 .

[Walrider]

Rawgrim wrote...

Atemeus wrote...

Rawgrim wrote...

Going underground wouldn`t make them dark, though. It would make them very pale.

That's fine. There's all kind of twists in Dragon Age, subversions of what you've come to expect from Dungeons and Dragons mainstays. The Dark Elves being a pale lot would be one more among a lot of company.

They'd be "dark" elves because they lived in the dark for at least a thousand years, not because of their skin.

White, almost see-through skin, would be cool.

Falmer.

[TEWR]

ObiWanJesus wrote...

Falmer.

Eh, the Falmer were white to begin with. Going underground didn't make them white. Just ugly cuz of what happened. And even then, their skin's not translucent like Rawgrim is talking about.

But it sure as hell looks leathery and grimy.

Modifié par The Ethereal Writer Redux, 03 octobre 2013 - 07:07 .

[Silfren]

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Silfren wrote...



Yeah, but nobody's talking about stealing names.  And if you don't use the same names, I think it would be pretty damned hard to bring a lawsuit over something being copied.

Look at Tolkien's Gandalf, or Rowling's Dumbledore, or Merlin from the Arthurian tales.  The names are all different, but all of them--and many other examples--are all direct copies from none other than the Norse God Odin.

I think it would depend on how similar they are and how lawsuit trigger happy certain companies are.

I don't think you appreciate how many VERY SIMILAR ideas there are floating about in the world of fiction.  Extremely particular details could spring a lawsuit...for one good example, the fact that Twilight vampires glitter like diamonds in the sunlight.  But beyond concrete details of that nature, it wouldn't be at all difficult for a person to write a story featuring elves extremely similar in concept to the dunmer elves of TES, without breaking any laws of copyright at all.

Frankly, I could go through my pile of fantasy books and find quite a few titles that feature a similar concept to the Grey Wardens, similar enough that nobody familiar with the Grey Wardens of Dragon Age could fail to draw comparisons, and wonder if Bioware got its own idea from those books.   

[The Hierophant]

The Ethereal Writer Redux wrote...

Personally, for the novel I'm working on I'm using both existing mythos/folklore for creatures and races -- yes, Elves and Dwarves are present, along with other races -- but I'm also trying to create a few original creatures, maybe even an original race as well.

To be honest, trying to be "original" in regards to new creatures or races is harder then it sounds. Building a universe, building societies, is a time-consuming and arduous process that can't just be done easily on a whim. It's not as simple as slapping a new name on something, or even taking a glimpse at a different culture for a foundation.

For me, anyway.

Sure, the name can be copyrighted and the idea itself can't, but a lot of the distinctions in the writing world are... from my experience at least, lost on a lot of people.

As I write, I worry if people will just say "This is a rip-off of X" if I ever publish this. I shouldn't, I know that, but that fear is there all the time and it frustrates me as I write, because I'm spending a ****load of time investing in the universe I'm making.

Alas, I'm spending too much time on the BSN right now. Back to finishing up Chapter 4!

From all the literature, film, cartoons, games i've viewed, inspiration isn't an issue.

It's blatant plagiarism like with Nick Simmons ripping Tite Kubo's Bleach that anyone should worry about, but judging by your posts you're above that.

On a related note - Since you are using dwarves why not have them be mountain dwelling, wine drinking scholars
who pay the other races to work the mines on their property, and are called dwarves because they stand taller (no sexual) than the other races? (beards and axes stay)

The Ethereal Writer Redux wrote...

The Hierophant wrote...

The Ethereal Writer Redux wrote...

The Hierophant wrote...

Nah, the both of you have to think outside the box, like...

There should be a yearly competition in which every aspiring, amatuer, and professional fantasy writer who wishes to reuse preexisting races/cultures of any genre in their work must all challenge each other to mortal kombat until there is only one left. When there is only the one they'll be granted the right to have their work labeled as original for one whole year.

So... Afro Samurai for writers?

Yes.

Works for me. This gets the TEWR Seal of Approval.

Modifié par The Hierophant, 03 octobre 2013 - 07:21 .

[Shadow Fox]

Silfren wrote...

Arcane Warrior Mage Hawke wrote...

Silfren wrote...



Yeah, but nobody's talking about stealing names.  And if you don't use the same names, I think it would be pretty damned hard to bring a lawsuit over something being copied.

Look at Tolkien's Gandalf, or Rowling's Dumbledore, or Merlin from the Arthurian tales.  The names are all different, but all of them--and many other examples--are all direct copies from none other than the Norse God Odin.

I think it would depend on how similar they are and how lawsuit trigger happy certain companies are.

I don't think you appreciate how many VERY SIMILAR ideas there are floating about in the world of fiction.  Extremely particular details could spring a lawsuit...for one good example, the fact that Twilight vampires glitter like diamonds in the sunlight.  But beyond concrete details of that nature, it wouldn't be at all difficult for a person to write a story featuring elves extremely similar in concept to the dunmer elves of TES, without breaking any laws of copyright at all.

Frankly, I could go through my pile of fantasy books and find quite a few titles that feature a similar concept to the Grey Wardens, similar enough that nobody familiar with the Grey Wardens of Dragon Age could fail to draw comparisons, and wonder if Bioware got its own idea from those books.   

Point.

[Nerys]

Atemeus wrote...

An interesting thought: Elves of Arlathan, separated from the rest of the world for who knows how long, would most likely have quite the superiority/god complex. The world above would be like their birthright, and their arrival or rediscovery of the surface would be unto another Blight in and of itself.

It would provide interesting development among city elf and Dalish characters: These guys are seriously bad, but are they worse than the human dominance right now? Where do I stand?

It'd be a crowning moment of awesome to see the Dalish reject the immortal people of Arlathan, those that they previously worshiped as a lost ideal. That could be the catalyst that would finally see the elves beginning to truly reintegrate with the rest of the cultures in Thedas.

I have to say that I LOVE this idea! I'd really like to see that.

[TEWR]

The Hierophant wrote...
From all the literature, film, cartoons, games i've viewed, inspiration isn't an issue.

It's blatant plagiarism like with Nick Simmons ripping Tite Kubo's Bleach that anyone should worry about, but judging by your posts you're above that.

Yeah, I'm not trying to plagiarize, but when I look at some of the things I've taken inspiration from as a foundation, I worry that (as I said) people may think I'm just plagiarizing or just making an Ersatz version that's only different enough to not get me sued.

I suppose, in the end, if this gets published I can find out for certain. And if I am indeed plagiarizing despite my efforts not to, I can make steps to amend the situation.

It'll really be bad though if a work I've never even heard of, let alone read or played or watched, happened to do my idea(s) first.

On a related note - Since your using dwarves why not have them be mountain dwelling, wine drinking scholars who pay the other races to work the mines on their property, and are called dwarves because they stand taller (no sexual) than the other races? (beards and axes stay)

You're not too far off from how I'm writing the Dwarves, actually. It's not going to be like that exactly, but you're not far off the mark.

They're still gonna be short and stocky though. I like Dwarves to be Dwarves.

Modifié par The Ethereal Writer Redux, 03 octobre 2013 - 07:37 .

[Boycott Bioware]

Dark Elf...a dark magic user, shadowy, archer, glowing red eyes, pale dark skinned, wearing hood....i like it

Modifié par Qistina, 03 octobre 2013 - 07:33 .