LucasArts CHA Files

[Valentine]

Sorry if this is really obvious, but I've tried the forum search as well as google. I'm looking for some LucasArts characters in AGS ready .cha files. I've seen them before, but I can't for the life of me find them. Specifically, I'm looking for Indiana Jones (FoA version) and Sophia.

If anyone could point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

It's funny, but this is exactly the sort of situation for which the *.cha format was devised, I'm sure - ready-to-import characters. It's a bit of a waste that most such packs don't exist, apart from the RON pack.

[JpGames]

I have a lot of lucasarts characters but noi in cha format, even when it is very easy to create once you have the images. You can find the images searching for the JuncModule webpage in this forum (i thinks there is a link in the resources topic).

JpGames

[Anym]

But do we want to encourage people to (ab)use copyrighted characters?

[JpGames]

Not abuse, but to create your first game is very usefull if you have some chars already developed to avoid hours and hours of long and tired art design.

And you can edit the images a little and create your own character once you have the original one  using it as a model.

JpGames

[Ali]

And you can edit the images a little and create your own character once you have the original one  using it as a model.

You could use ProgZmax's lovely version of Roger:

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=27959.100

That way you'd have a very solid template.

[Krakko]

I don't really have anything to add but I thought I'd better post.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

I don't really have anything to add but I thought I'd better post.

...

...

...right.

[Anym]

And you can edit the images a little and create your own character once you have the original one  using it as a model.

But isn't CHA a rather bad format if you want to modify a character? You'd have to export every single frame separately and by hand, wouldn't you?

[m0ds]

I had those cha files, many years ago. I don't have any of them now apart from, I think, Indy in a dinner jacket. I'll have a look for you soon.

[Valentine]

Thanks m0ds, that would be a great help.

The reason I'm wanting these CHA files is mainly as a placeholder for my game as it is at the moment, as well as a guide for when I start making my own characters.

I've managed to create a CHA file of Indy walking (though there are no talking animations). If anyone wants this to put up somewhere as a resource, I'd love to donate it.

[juncmodule]

But do we want to encourage people to (ab)use copyrighted characters?

Actually no.

That is why they don't exist in the CHA format. It would be a copyright violation to include those sprites in your game. That is why I provide the juncSource Collection (http://www.juncmodule.com/downloads/juncSourceCollection.zip) as a "Collection of sprites for use as templates."

If I put them up as CHA files I would be encouraging copyright violation.

I did check and unfortunately I do not have the talking animations of Indy. I'm not sure why. Perhaps I will have to resolve this. I really always meant to go back and put a lot more work into the juncSource Collection but just never got around to it.

later,
-junc

[Radiant]

That is why they don't exist in the CHA format. It would be a copyright violation to include those sprites in your game. That is why I provide the juncSource Collection (http://www.juncmodule.com/downloads/juncSourceCollection.zip) as a "Collection of sprites for use as templates."

Er, I'd hate to nitpick, but putting them up as sprites is just as much a violation of copyright, and just as much an incentive for other people to use them as such. Releasing a ripping tool is not a violation, releasing or using ripped sprites is.

For that matter, nearly everything related to Maniac Mansion Mania is a blatant violation of copyright.

[juncmodule]

I should have known better than to mention copyright...

I'd hate to nitpick

...and yet you do

I do agree though. It is all a copyright violation. However, LucasArts and Sierra have been really good about not coming after people for sprites or ripping tools (which I'm not sure if you are right about that not being a copyright violation, but please, let us not discuss that horribly boring subject).

However, if people started using their characters in games (which in turn became popular) they might draw more attention.

So it isn't really about which copyright is worse or anything. I think it is just about which will draw more attention.

In the end though I think it is really just a non-issue. Obviously the CHA format isn't used much. I was just pointing out my reasons for not using it. The juncSource Collection accounts for a massive percentage of my website traffic still (even though I'm not active in this community anymore). Since it is still so popular I would prefer to not risk the more risky version of copyright violation...heh.

later,
-junc

[Radiant]

I should have known better than to mention copyright...

...and yet you do

But true enough. Look at any RPG maker site and you'll find tons of sprites ripped from e.g. Final Fantasy. Look at MUGEN sites and it's worse. We're really not so bad if you think about it. I don't believe many publishers are overly worried about indie games. I don't see how using an obscure format (CHA) rather than a common one (GIF or so) would change anything.

[JpGames]

Thanks to juncmodule archives we were able to save a lot of work and create our first game in 9 days  I guess its a good way to promote the game creation if the creators dont need spend 1 year on their first little game

JpGames