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[themagicalkitsune]

Another Mother imo

Mother: Other M

 

[SpacePirate Ridley]

Not if they also lifted the sprites and possibly the battle system which may well be copyrighted or patented.

You cant patent artstyle, and if the battle system was the case, enix would like to have some words with itoi first, as it was lifted directly from Dragon Quest.
They didnt lift any sprites, they only used the EXACT same artstyle to create different characters and scenarios.

 

[Holy Order Sol]

Few fanbases can get shit done like this one. This sure is a dedicated bunch, I'm confident that this will be good.

Because it's not Mother 4. It's a fanmade RPG heavily inspired by the Mother franchise.

Calling it "Mother 4" gives it an aura of authenticity - and if it comes out like this, you WILL see people who think it's an official game because of the name.

Plus, if Nintendo ever does make an actual Mother 4, this will be even more confusing.

Just call it "Blah: A Mother Fangame" or something

should have called it YO M4M4

 

[Foxtastical]

He's making a satirical post based on this thread.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=995810

Haha, ah shit, amazing.

Damnit, there used to be a time when I would point out people missing out on an inside-GAF joke. Getting old.

 

[jimjonjimmy]

I don't know how to feel about this. On one hand I think it's really disrespectful to call it Mother 4 but on the other hand I'm interested to see what they've come up with.

I kinda agree with this. Maybe they should call it something else and make it there own, I mean it seems like they clearly have the skill.

 

[Fou-Lu]

I've loved what I've seen, read and heard for Mother 4 so far, the style, the art, the music and the heart all seem to be there. It's hard to imagine a group of fans this dedicated and in love with Mother not making something special.

 

[KiraXD]

Not if they also lifted the sprites and possibly the battle system which may well be copyrighted or patented.

they have a failsafe in place. if nintendo does do anything there are only very minor changes that need to be made.


http://www.reddit.com/r/mother4/comments/273rff/psa_reguarding_any_cease_and_desist_questions/

Anybody planning on making a post about the possibility of a C&D, we and the development team are well aware of the risk. The Dev Team already seem to have a plan for what they would do if a C&D is issued. They would remove anything Mother-related, and make it an original generic RPG. If you have anymore questions, feel free to ask.

UPDATE (11/17/14): Nintendo has announced that they are letting people use their IP's for fan projects with no legal repercussions. This means Mother 4 is completely in the clear in terms of Cease and Desists. THERE IS NO POSSIBILITY OF CEASE AND DESIST NOW.
Thank you for reading.

The update is based on this article though:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=934441

 

[Mael]

Wow, people here seem really critical. I'd hate to see what would be said about actual bad looking fan games lol.

To be fair, we would be as critical if some dudes off the internet made a vid claiming that they're making the sequel to Romancing Saga 3, Half Life 3 or Portal 3 without any authorization.
Heck you should have seen the uproar when someone in the 90's tried to sell the "sequel" of Les Misérables in France.
You can make a fan project but don't try to pass yourself for the real deal.

 

[Zero²]

Plus, if Nintendo ever does make an actual Mother 4, this will be even more confusing.
Just call it "Blah: A Mother Fangame" or something

But fans want Mother 4, as Itoi himself wants if you read his quote above.
Lets get real here, Nintendo didnt even release Mother 3 in the west after all this years, and without Itoi they will never make a Mother 4, so what is the problem with the fans of the franchise rising up and making it themselves?

 

[Giever]

http://earthboundcentral.com/2011/04/shigesato-itoi-discusses-mother-4/

SHIGESATO ITOI: The feeling of, “I want a MOTHER 4 to be released!” is inside me, too. Even if it’s not something I need to do, I still feel that way. Still, there isn’t someone for me to watch over from afar anymore. If there were a fourth game, I’d want to be the player.

NAGATA: In other words, you wouldn’t mind if someone other than yourself made it?

ITOI: Right. For example, when I watch a good stage play, that’s MOTHER 4. Even if they never intended it to be that way. When I say, “I can’t get enough of this dialog!” you could even say that I, as a “player”, am finishing the world the writer built. Just as everyone finished the MOTHER games for me. So it’d be great if there were such “games” everywhere. They don’t even need to be games, though. If someone wanted to play it in game form, then go right ahead. If someone started making something like “Chimidoro-numa Strikes Back” (translation note: MOTHER 2’s subtitle was Giygas Strikes Back) and you could basically say, “This is clearly MOTHER 4, however you look at it,” who knows, I might just say, “In that case, why don’t you stick a red cap on him and give him a backpack?”

Yerp, this has definitely gotta be why they're calling it MOTHER 4. I read that awhile back too. I wish more fans of the series which are decrying the name would read this, because it really is just a matter of happily honoring Itoi's wishes.

 

[Mael]

You cant patent artstyle, and if the battle system was the case, enix would like to have some words with itoi first, as it was lifted directly from Dragon Quest.
They didnt lift any sprites, they only used the EXACT same artstyle to create different characters and scenarios.

I guess we could know the stance if it went to trial.
The patent remark was more a jab at how the USPTO works
They would need to seriously alter the project if they wanted to sell it though.

 

[Mory Dunz]

To be fair, we would be as critical if some dudes off the internet made a vid claiming that they're making the sequel to Romancing Saga 3, Half Life 3 or Portal 3 without any authorization.
Heck you should have seen the uproar when someone in the 90's tried to sell the "sequel" of Les Misérables in France.
You can make a fan project but don't try to pass yourself for the real deal.

Well, it does say it's a fan game.

And I don't play the Mother games, but are they connected in any way, story wise? Does "Mother 4" mean anything in relation to the 3 other games? I guess they could've named it something else though that didn't signify a sequence. So maybe like Mother: Subtitle.

But still, they're not selling it so I wouldn't care anyway.

 

[Dereck]

Yeah, then it could be put on the eShop or Steam.

 

[Galdius]

I'm very interested in this game. I really wants to play it to see if it is as good as the original games but I think they could give it another name. even though the name won`t make any difference to the actual game in the end.

Anyway, I have a question: do we know anything about the story already?

 

[Tremis]

That level up music, omg...

 

[Mr. Nice_Guy]

This looks great, like..I can't believe how good it looks. Now change the name before there are issues, I want to play this!

 

[akidnamededdy]

Because it's not Mother 4. It's a fanmade RPG heavily inspired by the Mother franchise.

Calling it "Mother 4" gives it an aura of authenticity - and if it comes out like this, you WILL see people who think it's an official game because of the name.

Plus, if Nintendo ever does make an actual Mother 4, this will be even more confusing.

Just call it "Blah: A Mother Fangame" or something

Nobody will confuse it for an official Mother game, because it will be available outside Japan.

Spoiler

:-(

 

[GaimeGuy]

Nobody will confuse it for an official Mother game, because it will be available outside Japan.

Spoiler

:-(

:-(

 

[Matt Attack]

I think it looks fantastic. Cannot wait to play it.

That level up music, omg...

Sooo good.

 

[Fandangox]

To be fair, we would be as critical if some dudes off the internet made a vid claiming that they're making the sequel to Romancing Saga 3, Half Life 3 or Portal 3 without any authorization.
Heck you should have seen the uproar when someone in the 90's tried to sell the "sequel" of Les Misérables in France.
You can make a fan project but don't try to pass yourself for the real deal.

...But they are not? They are clearly indicating its Fan made.

 

[Psxphile]

Nobody will confuse it for an official Mother game, because it will be available outside Japan.

Spoiler

:-(

damn son

Looking forward to playing this.

 

[Exodist]

Eh I don't know how I feel about this, I mean I loved Earthbound and Mother 3, but those games were so good mainly because of Itoi, and this game obviously doesn't have that.

Not to mention there's the fact that Nintendo may very well shut their project down, I don't understand why they had to call it Mother 4, they should have given it a different name.

Its clear from the artstyle alone that it would basically be a spiritual sequel to Mother 3.

I could be wrong on this, but I believe they named it Mother 4 because Itoi himself said he wanted fans to make a Mother 4 after he announced Mother 3 would be the last Mother game.

 

[Mael]

...But they are not? They are clearly indicating its Fan made.

And you think people weren't aware that Victor Hugo was long dead when a talentless hack tried to make a controversial sequel?
At least here the makers' intentions are far more pure.

 

[Fandangox]

And you think people weren't aware that Victor Hugo was long dead when a talentless hack tried to make a controversial sequel?
At least here the makers' intentions are far more pure.

I don't get the point of this comparison?

 

[Mael]

I don't get the point of this comparison?

Because it's not Mother 4. It's a fanmade RPG heavily inspired by the Mother franchise.

Calling it "Mother 4" gives it an aura of authenticity - and if it comes out like this, you WILL see people who think it's an official game because of the name.

Plus, if Nintendo ever does make an actual Mother 4, this will be even more confusing.

Just call it "Blah: A Mother Fangame" or something

The current case of Mother 4 is really a special case, but the 1rst thing I thought was the hack trying to write sequels of 'Les Misérables'.
You know one of the most famous jewel of French literature?

 

[Fandangox]

The current case of Mother 4 is really a special case, but the 1rst thing I thought was the hack trying to write sequels of 'Les Misérables'.
You know one of the most famous jewel of French literature?

I mean then why even complain in this case? It's clear the creator has no issues with this and even encourages it, the people behind the project obviously care about the IP and are deeply invested and it looks very professional, I honestly don't understand the complains about the name, so I guess I will stop arguing it.

 

[Maedhros]

Besides forum dwellers, no one cares about Mother series. It's a niche series.

No one will be confused by this name.

 

[KojiKnight]

It still really rubs me the wrong way... When the creator of Mother said 3 was the end and he didn't want to do any more... it's kind of insulting to go "I disagree, I'm going to take your vision, call it a sequel with no input from you, and screw you for not doing this yourself."

Just my thought.

 

[Mael]

I mean then why even complain in this case? It's clear the creator has no issues with this and even encourages it, the people behind the project obviously care about the IP and are deeply invested and it looks very professional, I honestly don't understand the complains about the name, so I guess I will stop arguing it.

I have a problem with giving the sole credit of Mother to Itoi while forgetting the teams that did the brunt of the work.
I mean Mother 3 wouldn't be what it is without the people of the now defunct Br².
I think the only info we have from IP owners in this case is that they support fanmade projects as long as they don't try to make money of it.
And looking at the project I don't think it could have fallen in better hands, it's still something with a real lost potential to it.

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

It still really rubs me the wrong way... When the creator of Mother said 3 was the end and he didn't want to do any more... it's kind of insulting to go "I disagree, I'm going to take your vision, call it a sequel with no input from you, and screw you for not doing this yourself."

Just my thought.

I mean I would be more sympathetic to your view if it didn't seem like it was completely done out of utter reverence for the series.

And for free.

 

[DiipuSurotu]

Just my thought.

Here's the creator's thought:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=153534323&postcount=62

 

[Kai Dracon]

There have been a lot of fan-made original versions of Nintendo games, particularly in the form of re-use of sprites to craft remix Mario and Zelda games. Even a Pokemon game. There's never been much of an outcry over those, and usually the fans get congratulated for their ingenuity and tribute.

It seems the only thing that's really causing dander to be fluffed here is the numeral "4". Considering Itoi's own feelings about Mother - that he is *done* with it, yet would be charmed by seeing it continue in some way - I can't really blame this team for using a number in the title. It appears to respect the spirit of Itoi's own perspective.

 

[Fandangox]

I have a problem with giving the sole credit of Mother to Itoi while forgetting the teams that did the brunt of the work.
I mean Mother 3 wouldn't be what it is without the people of the now defunct Br².
I think the only info we have from IP owners in this case is that they support fanmade projects as long as they don't try to make money of it.
And looking at the project I don't think it could have fallen in better hands, it's still something with a real lost potential to it.

Well that is true, but then at that point it becomes sort of pointless to discuss because we can't ever tell what everyone wants. I highly doubt all the people behind a single project have both the same opinions and wishes regarding how they want the series to be handled in the future.

 

[Aquavelvaman]

I don't think I knew about this, looks great! The Earthbound/Mother community is crazy, but I love it.

 

[FSLink]

It still really rubs me the wrong way... When the creator of Mother said 3 was the end and he didn't want to do any more... it's kind of insulting to go "I disagree, I'm going to take your vision, call it a sequel with no input from you, and screw you for not doing this yourself."

Just my thought.

I disagree.

He did say he would love to play a Mother 4 made by someone else, and it's clear the team behind Mother 4 is trying to play respects to that.

I mean I would be more sympathetic to your view if it didn't seem like it was completely done out of utter reverence for the series.

And for free.

And this.

Let's just judge the game by its own merits when it's actually released.

 

[Mael]

Well that is true, but then at that point it becomes sort of pointless to discuss because we can't ever tell what everyone wants. I highly doubt all the people behind a single project have both the same opinions and wishes regarding how they want the series to be handled in the future.

I guess that's why I would value the will of the IP owners 1rst and foremost in this case.
Although if I was planning on these kind of grueling work I wouldn't do it for free like that (then again it would look great on a portfolio).
There's also a big baggage to carry with such a huge shadow over it, I commend the team behind this one for their work it's impressive.

 

[minor effort]

Even if Nintendo is cool with people making Mother fangames, I really think groups should resist the urge to call their projects "Mother 4".

"Mother: Something Something Something" if you must.

 

[JohnTinker]

My heart skipped a beat seeing this thread title

 

[Crayolan]

Love the overworld sprite work, and they nailed the really quirky tunes. Cautiously optimistic, but this really looks like one huge labor of love for the series. I'll definitely give it a shot when it comes out.

 

[Robert at Zeboyd Games]

Really like the idea of calling it Earthbound: Other M, rather than Mother 4.

 

[indigo-cyclops]

Looks absolutely fantastic really. Music is great too. Well done!

 

[Koozek]

Absolutly gorgeous, mhmmm.

 

[Punks]

Call it "Earthbound Mother"

 

[princemarth23]

Looks so good. If this can even somewhat fill the void, I will be so happy.

 

[hitsugi]

Glad to see this is coming along. It looks fantastic, and the crew behind it is insanely talented. Rolling your own RPG engine certainly isn't easy.

 

[C.Olimar788]

Game looks glorious, I can't wait for it to be released!

I don't see the issue with calling it MOTHER 4 since Itoi himself said he has no interest in making another MOTHER game. Hell, if this DOES get C&D'd it would be awfully classless for the same reason. Copyright exists to protect the rights of a concept owner and let them profit off of their idea, and if the owner themself says they don't want to make any more, well...

 

[minor effort]

I don't see the issue with calling it MOTHER 4 since Itoi himself said he has no interest in making another MOTHER game. Hell, if this DOES get C&D'd it would be awfully classless for the same reason. Copyright exists to protect the rights of a concept owner and let them profit off of their idea, and if the owner themself says they don't want to make any more, well...

It seems a little conceited. Unless Itoi himself nominated this group to carry on his legacy, it seems pretty presumptuous to try to add things to a series' canon on your own initiative.

Who knows, in the future Itoi and Nintendo might decide to change their mind and develop a Mother 4 themselves. His future with the series isn't written in stone. Then what's this project going to call itself?

I don't have much issue with them having Mother in the game's title, but calling it "Mother 4" seems a bit much.

 

[Fandangox]

It seems a little conceited. Unless Itoi himself nominated this group to carry on his legacy, it seems pretty presumptuous to try to add things to a series' canon on your own initiative.

Who knows, in the future Itoi and Nintendo might decide to change their mind and develop a Mother 4 themselves. His future with the series isn't written in stone. Then what's this project going to call itself?

I don't have much issue with them having Mother in the game's title, but calling it "Mother 4" seems a bit much.

Mother 4? Like they were always going to call it? At any point that Nintendo and Co may actually want to make another Mother game this game will most have likely come out already. I know I said I'd stop arguing this, but I am really struggling to see some of the issues here.

Like in Starmen.net I remember some "Mother 5" fan projects were being pitched because there was already a good-looking Mother 4 project going on, but then If I recall correctly the M4 staff just told people they could name their projects whatever they wanted, that them's wasn't official and didn't mean others should not call their project Mother 4 if so they desired.

Like I am trying to understand the underlying issue, what if this series NEVER had numbered entries? Instead a main title and subtitle? What if Mother was just that, The sequel was called Mother: Earthbound in all regions, and Mother 3 was just instead some other word, like I don't know, Mother: Happy-Funtime, you-will-never-cry-the-game.

All of those games exactly the same, but with different names, and then this project also comes to exists, they probably wouldn't use a number since the previous ones didn't, they'd just call it something like Mother: Time for father.

Like would the same issues exist there?

Spoiler

I worked once on fan project called Earthbound 1.5

 

[woopWOOP]

The game I'm looking forward to the most this year.

If they want Itoi to be the player I'm guessing they've got a Japanese version in the works too?

Either way, awesome trailer. I really want to play it now!

 

[brian!]

don't mind the name
treating it like it's made by a bunch of ppl who are into the games, which is a nice and lovely thing