I am working on my first ever project , and I have used some copyrighted images(images taken from some other well recognized games). Is it even possible that I edit the images a little bit and then use them as royalty free images? If not, then can anyone tell me some web links from where I can get royalty free images?
Answer
The best thing to do here is to create something new "in the spirit of" the thing you're borrowing from. Do not copy graphics and just edit them in photoshop. You'd have to change them A LOT before it would be without legal risk. And it's also low rent. Be better than that.
Let me give you an example by looking at music for a second. If you pay attention you will see (hear) that tv shows will often use songs that sound similar to another song. I used to be an editor on reality tv shows. We had an arsenal of original music that was supplied to us by the producers. And the guy that created all that original music would often borrow heavily, or almost even parody, another song. If they need a spy theme he would make them a James Bond sounding thing with some of the notes changed. But you could definitely tell that it was supposed to sound like James Bond.
But here's the difference. He did not go in to a sound program, use the original recording and change the notes around. He completely re-recorded a new song that had a similar vibe and maybe shared some of the same notes. He might have listened to the original song, played it just like the original, and then figured out notes to change. But it was now original. Music is tricky because the rights for the tune (notes) and the arrangement or recording are two different things. It's best to get original music and a liberal license agreement.
For graphics. I once did a game where I needed graphics that looked like an old tin toy robot. I brought the robot graphics in to photoshop and then drew new graphics that looked very similar to what I was borrowing from. But in the end it was a completely new graphic. Wheels and pullies and gears of the robot were all in different places and different sizes. I didn't even trace it. But having them side by side helped me design something new in the spirit of the thing I was paying homage to. And if I get sued or get a take down notice, I have my source layered photoshop document that I can pull out and prove that I created it from scratch.
There are of course stock sites where you can get music and graphics. But even on those read the license and make sure that your usage falls within that allowed license. Very often on music sites the license they're selling you does not include usage in a game. I've seen stock graphics where the license was limited on the number of end users can get it. Look for "royalty free" licenses.
I often hire people to create graphics and it doesn't have to be expensive. $100 or even free sometimes.
My next game is going to have a really cool metal song for the main title. A friend has a band and he wanted to record something for me for free. Even then we'll sign a license agreement.
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