Working on a pokehack for lg

[Maverick]

Whuld like to help? There will be no fakemon unless they look good and are approved by the community. I would love to see some new possible Eeveelutions tho.

List of things need:

Script writers - You will be helping with the storyline as well writing script for the characters of the game. I may want to allow user to actual make decisions with than a yes or no(this will take more time and will have to be added after the first version of the release).

Map Designers - I will be doing a large portion of this but if you would like to help you may. Newcomers to editing welcome, I will help you get the tools necessary to begin, and if you have questions I will answer them asap.

Pixel Artists - Possible sprite creation to integrate new gen Pokemon. If your in to pixel art this is for you, this will also include editing per-existing characters or even making new ones.

This may take some time but with help it may bring new life to our forum or just add a fun new game.
I will continue to edit and add updates including new map design shots and storyline ideas.

Q&A:
Q: Aren't ROM's illegal?
A: Yes ROM's are illegal however we are not creating a ROM, we are creating a patch for a preexisting game. Whether or not you download the ROM is up to you, but if you do not download the ROM the patch will be useless. Also if you physically own the game it is legal for you to have the ROM.

Q: Is using real Pokemon illegal?
A: No, because the Pokemon are a part of the ROM. As a matter of fact it would be illegal to change their names, and still use the same sprites. Because of their likeness to the actual Pokemon themselves.

I will add more to this list as the questions come in.

[Soph]

I can help with pixels when I'm not busy with other stuff
But I'm not really sure if existing pokemon should be included for copyright reasons.

[Smithno13]

I dont think copyright is that much of a problem - There are plenty of Pokemon MMOs based off the gameboy games, along with all the original pokemon.
Not any major games, but it's been done before.

[einstein95]

But I'm not really sure if existing pokemon should be included for copyright reasons.

According to the Pokémon website, "Pokémon character names ... are trademarks of Nintendo." You could include Pokémon that look like existing Pokémon, but have different names...

[Alexx]

According to the Pokémon website, "Pokémon character names ... are trademarks of Nintendo." You could include Pokémon that look like existing Pokémon, but have different names...

Don't be a ****** please.

[einstein95]

Don't be a ****** please.

Sorry.

[C0FFINCASE]

I dont think copyright is that much of a problem - There are plenty of Pokemon MMOs based off the gameboy games, along with all the original pokemon.
Not any major games, but it's been done before.

Most of those work off roms, meaning that they just sort of link people's games.

Also Raivu started do this years ago. You should try to talk to him. He might have a significant portion done.
He had job systems and character customization.

[GAMEchief]

... How are you making this? As a ROM mod?

ROM mods are legal to my knowledge. The ROM for the original game isn't, though. If you want to release a ROM mod, I am fine with that, as long as everyone manages to get their own copies of the ROM outside of LG and through legal means or something.

Or if it's not a ROM mod, what is it?

[Maverick]

I can help with pixels when I'm not busy with other stuff
But I'm not really sure if existing pokemon should be included for copyright reasons.

I would appreciate the help, especially from you, your pixel art is amazing.

According to the Pokémon website, "Pokémon character names ... are trademarks of Nintendo." You could include Pokémon that look like existing Pokémon, but have different names...

The theft of the names is illegal, but they can be used due to the simple fact that it's a mod, not a complete remake.

Most of those work off roms, meaning that they just sort of link people's games.

Also Raivu started do this years ago. You should try to talk to him. He might have a significant portion done.
He had job systems and character customization.

I may contact Raivu, but I would rather start fresh, although the characters could be used. I want to see if I can add the option to allow players to choose from two or three different characters with in male or female.

... How are you making this? As a ROM mod?

ROM mods are legal to my knowledge. The ROM for the original game isn't, though. If you want to release a ROM mod, I am fine with that, as long as everyone manages to get their own copies of the ROM outside of LG and through legal means or something.

Or if it's not a ROM mod, what is it?

Yes it will be a mod, for fire red to be exact. Roms are illegal, unless you own a copy of the game itself, and they are fairly easy to find.

Sorry it took so long to reply guys. I was at work till 2am.

[GAMEchief]

ROMs are illegal even if you own a copy of the game itself. I won't ask where or how you guys got the ROMs. Just don't post them on LG.
Feel free to post the ROM mods, though. I can put it in the Downloads section if it gets finished.

[Maverick]

ROMs are illegal even if you own a copy of the game itself. I won't ask where or how you guys got the ROMs. Just don't post them on LG.
Feel free to post the ROM mods, though. I can put it in the Downloads section if it gets finished.

I believe it is legal to have copy of your game but for personal use only not distribution.

[einstein95]

I believe it is legal to have copy of your game but for personal use only not distribution.

It's a grey area, but I even emailed Nintendo (just on running homebrew on an emulator) and they have a very firm stance that's basically: "All roms and emulators are illegal."
A bit hypocritical if you ask me, with the Virtual Console and such, but let's not say anymore on the subject, and focus on making this Pokéhack.
I'd like to express my interest in working as a Map Designer, just give me a basic layout and I'll work from there.

[Maverick]

It's a grey area, but I even emailed Nintendo (just on running homebrew on an emulator) and they have a very firm stance that's basically: "All roms and emulators are illegal."
A bit hypocritical if you ask me, with the Virtual Console and such, but let's not say anymore on the subject, and focus on making this Pokéhack.
I'd like to express my interest in working as a Map Designer, just give me a basic layout and I'll work from there.

all map designers have artistic freedom however I would like them to stick to a theme for each badge. First we need to decide which badges will be gained first, we can move on from that to design the towns, But if you want you can work on editing the routes and or caves.

[Enjoi]

all map designers have artistic freedom however I would like them to stick to a theme for each badge. First we need to decide which badges will be gained first, we can move on from that to design the towns, But if you want you can work on editing the routes and or caves.

Please make a poop badge.

[Maverick]

Please make a poop badge.

no

[Enjoi]

no

-interest lost-

[Maverick]

-interest lost-

Maybe a sewage badge tho gym leader could use toxic pokemon only.

[GAMEchief]

I believe it is legal to have copy of your game but for personal use only not distribution.

It's not. ROMs are 100% illegal to possess, unless you either paid for it (or otherwise have license to have a copy) or own the rights to it. Shitty court decisions are shitty and technologically outdated, but they're still the law. When it comes to games, the law is analogically that ripping a CD you bought to MP3s on your computer is illegal. The ROM court battles took place long before CDs were even invented, ergo the law is outdated but still law and thus enforceable. If the developer/whoever wanted to press charges, they would win the case.

It's a grey area, but I even emailed Nintendo (just on running homebrew on an emulator) and they have a very firm stance that's basically: "All roms and emulators are illegal."
A bit hypocritical if you ask me, with the Virtual Console and such, but let's not say anymore on the subject, and focus on making this Pokéhack.
I'd like to express my interest in working as a Map Designer, just give me a basic layout and I'll work from there.

Nintendo has always been firm but incorrect about their copyright law. Emulators are not illegal, regardless of what Nintendo says. I honestly don't know why they still try saying that, but I guess it doesn't hurt them any to say it. The most important part is that they don't condone it, which means - relevant to the last paragraph - they're the kind of company to use their legal right to step in, which can be seen in their never-ending Cease & Desists for fan projects. That said, I don't recall them ever being jerks when it cam to ROMs, and while Cease & Desists for fan projects suck for fans, it is generous of them to not start with monetary legal threats.

And if it wasn't obvious, Nintendo can't legally demand you to stop using emulation software. They can (and have) legally demand you not to emulate their games, though.

[GAMEchief]

Also, how about tie in the badges to be similar to the LG awards? Or maybe spin offs of forums (each forum being its own town)? I was considering making the LG pet race stages be forums, where you would race on that forum, where the landscape and competitors would be determined by the activity level and common posters in that forum.

Similarly, though, I could match the pet races to the Pokemon game towns also, which I can do whether or not you base towns on forums.

Or we can have contests where the winners decide how each town is designed. But I think for that to be fun, we'd first need to see evidence that it would ever be finished.

[Maverick]

Also, how about tie in the badges to be similar to the LG awards? Or maybe spin offs of forums (each forum being its own town)? I was considering making the LG pet race stages be forums, where you would race on that forum, where the landscape and competitors would be determined by the activity level and common posters in that forum.

Similarly, though, I could match the pet races to the Pokemon game towns also, which I can do whether or not you base towns on forums.

Or we can have contests where the winners decide how each town is designed. But I think for that to be fun, we'd first need to see evidence that it would ever be finished.

Well right now I'm working on storyline (kinda hit writers block).
I like the idea of naming towns after the forums. I was also thinking of making some of the Mods either Gym Leaders Or the bad guys lol
Admins maybe part of the elite for we could hold a poll to see who will be what.

[GAMEchief]

Well, if I may suggest, release the game in increments. One city at a time. First release should just be a single city, imo, just so that people can toy around and see it in action. Have the community build it one city at a time, even. Distribute a version of the game, ask for suggestions, implement, repeat.

Also, if it wasn't clear, it's not legal to distribute a modified ROM. I assume you are making an IPS file, which is what could be hosted here.

[Maverick]

Well, if I may suggest, release the game in increments. One city at a time. First release should just be a single city, imo, just so that people can toy around and see it in action. Have the community build it one city at a time, even. Distribute a version of the game, ask for suggestions, implement, repeat.

Also, if it wasn't clear, it's not legal to distribute a modified ROM. I assume you are making an IPS file, which is what could be hosted here.

You are correct sir it will be an IPS. And I may do it town by town, I'll see if I can do a release soon. I'm modifying the home town as well as the first two towns atm.

[Maverick]

Sorry I haven't been on, I've been working on the hack and learning more about hacking. I have redesigned the hometown, and just like it is here at LG, you will start out in a town called The Junkyard. I thought this would be a nice touch since most of us call the JY our home.



Edit: pics of the new hometown will be posted as soon as I have time.

[GAMEchief]

Is there any way to tweak the online functionality of the ROM? I can totally make a thing on the LG end to interact with it.

[einstein95]

Is there any way to tweak the online functionality of the ROM? I can totally make a thing on the LG end to interact with it.

Unless you're familiar with disassembling and hacking GBA ARM7 assembler code, then no. The "online functionality" is actually the game linking with other games using the GBA link cable. Legend of Zelda: 4 Swords used this for 4-player co-op gameplay.

[GAMEchief]

For some reason I was picturing DS Pokemon's online play. Forgot this was before online was a thing in Pokemon.

Idea: A town for each type of Pokemon.
I kinda like the idea of having all the towns open from the start, and traveling to e.g. the fire town to catch fire Pokemon to go back to the grass town and beat it, and essentially beating the game in whatever order you want. But that will make levels for fights harder to do since you can be any level at any town. Unless there is some features like "if player has 1 badge, use this weak team. if player has 2 badges, use this stronger team. etc."

[Maverick]

For some reason I was picturing DS Pokemon's online play. Forgot this was before online was a thing in Pokemon.

Idea: A town for each type of Pokemon.
I kinda like the idea of having all the towns open from the start, and traveling to e.g. the fire town to catch fire Pokemon to go back to the grass town and beat it, and essentially beating the game in whatever order you want. But that will make levels for fights harder to do since you can be any level at any town. Unless there is some features like "if player has 1 badge, use this weak team. if player has 2 badges, use this stronger team. etc."

I'll see what I can do and if you look in my signature there is a way to trade via wifi with vba maybe we can tweak that.