Using graphics from a download resource for box art on my commercial game?

[vanquish3000]

Is it ok to use graphics from a download resource for box art on my commercial game?

 

[Shaz]

What does "download resource" mean? Something you got from the store, or from somewhere else?

 

[amerk]

What's the download resource? What's their terms? If their terms are for non-commercial only, or require compensation for their use in commercial games, you can't use it to promote the sale of your game (unless you made arrangements with them), even though they're not actually in the game, at least from what I've understood in past discussions.

 

[Shaz]

Basically, if it's okay to use IN your game, it should be okay to use for promotion of your game. But I'd still like to know what the resource is and where you got it, before committing to that statement.

 

[vanquish3000]

A downloaded resorce from this site. ex. RPG Maker VX Ace and/or RPG Maker DS+ Resource Pack

 

[Shaz]

If it's also something you use in your game, I don't see any issue with it, especially if you're showing it on the cover in the same context as in your game.


However, we'll see if one of the admins can give a definite answer.

 

[Archeia]

Is your game made in RPG Maker VXACE or any RM?

Then it should be fine as long as it's that game's box cover art. Otherwise you're not allowed to use the assets for any other purposes like posters or something.

 

[Lunarea]

I'd advise taking some care with this. Our EULA allows the use of the resource pack within the scope of RPG Maker, but I don't know that game art or promotional art falls under that.

Could you give us a mock-up or a more concrete example of how the art would be used, please?

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

What if it's a screenshot of the game, which is then used as the cover?

 

[vanquish3000]

I'd advise taking some care with this. Our EULA allows the use of the resource pack within the scope of RPG Maker, but I don't know that game art or promotional art falls under that.

Could you give us a mock-up or a more concrete example of how the art would be used, please?

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

wow, that's super direct use... XD

 

[Leonardo Myst]

Keep in mind that people are accustomed to the box art being just a representation of the game.

This goes back to the Atari and early NES days where you knew that the image on the front was nowhere near what you would expect in the game.

For instance, think of the cover to the first Castlevania.

This is still done to an extent these days as some games will have either an original illustration, painting or 3D art that is more detailed than anything ingame.

And then some, like Skyrim and Diablo, simply use a logo with a bit of design flair.

Most gamers really only expect to see the actual game art in the little screenshots on the back of the case.

 

[Ellie Jane]

If we can't, then it opens up all sorts of problems with using them in screenshots and such, as they're not "the game" either. Or websites for the game, etc. Why would box art be OK but posters not?

 

[Sharm]

With posters you're not selling the game, you're selling the art. They are both technically printed items, but the point of printing art on the box art isn't to sell the box art, it's to sell the game inside the box.

 

[Engr. Adiktuzmiko]

What if the poster, containing in-game screenshot, is included to each copy of the game?


And how about in-game screenshots that we post?

 

[IRHP]

It would only make sense if you can use something for your game, than you can use it for everything directly related to it.

 

[Shaz]

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