I'm reposting it from this thread (http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/forums/index.php?topic=45719.0): we've started a Discworld fanproject, which would star a new main character (different from Rincewind or Lewton). Anyone is welcome to join :-D
http://discworld-fanproject.proboards.com/
I wholeheartedly support this idea!
Due to time constraints I won't be able to help out, but I wish you best of luck. I would love to see more DW games.
This is a cool idea, BUT you will have to do a couple of things to get the ball rolling:
First - copyright. There have been too many fan projects that have been worked on extensively, neared completion or been released only to receive a cease and desist order due to copyright violations. It would a tragedy if you produced something as a labour of love only to have it shutdown and render you unable to share it with the world.
Second - I've been to the site and there's nothing there. Not really anything to indicate what the game will look like, play like etc. You need to get some design docs together and screen shots of works in progress to get people excited, on board to help you, and generate buzz.
Hope it takes off well.
Also spruce up that forum a bit, the colors hurt my eyes and the whole thing looks bad from the star, sorry.
Although I'd like to make a Discworld game, I'm always kind of uneasy when working on something that's already somebody's idea, you have to adhere to certain rules and still am not sure what kind of an art style it would take (crosses fingers for Josh Kirby style :grin: ). As Synapse mentioned, yes there is a problem with copyright, although I'm pretty sure it won't be a problem for now.
So are people actively working on the game already? It's a bit quiet on the forums...
I like to join this project if possible. 8-)
I guess anybody who visited that forum had to go get their eyes checked out for permanent damage first.
Did a dog choose the color scheme...? :-D
I don't have an eye for art anyway so I don't mind. :grin:
Was just wondering if the discussions have stopped or maybe they're done internally now?
Well, surprisingly, we're still not completely dead.
(I personally think this is because Death is having a holiday, so we're sort of undead for now)
(http://www.mrbillsadventureland.com/reviews/c-d/discworldR/death2.jpg)
We have a couple of new sketches and plot ideas, you can check them out :)
I agree with theSynapse, it would be regrettable to see something being taken off because of the violation of copyright even though the hard work had been done in its preparation.
I were planning to work on my Larry Fan Game but have decided to abandon it (after discussing with members here). Anyways, final decision is up to you of course. Best of luck :)
The thing is that Perfect Entertainment is dead for now, so legal threats may only come from sir Pratchett himself.
BTW, I wanted to know what you guys think about the idea of a Discworld/Illuminatus combo (check out the forums for details)
I agree with the others saying it would be a shame for a project to be heavily invested in only to never see the light of day, although I would love to another Discworld game. In fact this year his daughter Rihanna said they were considering another game (http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/gaming/news/a464783/rhianna-pratchett-interested-in-a-new-discworld-game.html).
There was actually a legal battle over the last Discworld game between Psygnosis/Sony and Perfect Entertainment and the cost of fighting them was what likely led to their demise as a dev company. Sony felt they owned the rights to Discworld I'm guessing, but I can't find much info on what actually happened. But if Sony think they still own the rights, or the Pratchett's offer the rights to another dev team there could be issues down the line.
Or maybe you should pitch your idea to Sir Pratchett and see what they say!
Thanks for the great news :)
IMO, it would be great to pitch that idea to Terry, but for this we would need more than we have now (at least a company name, a finished plot draft and some sketches). I'm still not sure this is going anywhere at all :(