Re: VGStorm Presents Manamon, a new fully featured RPG!
Hi everyone:
When reading this thread, I find it hard to believe that the community hasn't reacted differently to this sort of content creation. This is a very thinly veiled attempt to copy the intellectual property of Nintendo. Furthermore, this productsports the same price as the upcoming Pokemon games Sun and Moon.
Below is a concise list of undeniable similarities between the two games that I believe leaves this product in a tenuous position legally against companies like Nintendo who regularly pursue developers who attempt to violate IP laws by creating content that is very similar or by literally reselling their content. Although this product hasn't done the latter, it does come incredibly close. This list is by no means comprehensive, but serves as a clear example of the similarities between Manamon and Pokemon.
1. Pokemon games open with a professor introducing you to the world of Pokemon, specifically a specific region. Manamon opens with a res earcher who mimicks the behavior exactly.
2. Pokemon allows you to pick between 3 starter pokemon that are fire, water, and grass types. Manamon has you pick between a fire, water, or plant type.
3. Pokemon always includes a rival character that picks the weakness of the Pokemon type you picked. Manamon does the same.
4. Pokemon are generally captured in wild grass found on local routes and locations around the world. Pokemon are captured with pokeballs. Manamon are also found in grass, and are captured with Mananets.
5. Pokemon stats are HP, attack, defense, special attack, special defense, and speed. Manamon have HP, attack, defense, magic attack, magic defense, and speed.
6. Pokemon evolve into stronger forms called evolutions. Manamon transform into stronger forms, and are referred to as transformations.
7. Pokemon trainers are tasked to travel the region and collect badges at gyms. Manamon tamers are sent all over the world to battle at stadi ums.
8. Pokemon sports a large type chart that shows you type advantages (i. e. fire type attacks are super effective against steel, ice, grass, etc.). It also includes immunities (i. e. ground types do not effect flying types, dragon does not effect fairy, etc.). Manamon sports a strikingly similar types including many of the same weaknesses and immunities.
9. Pokemon trainers are able to travel to cities and towns and heal their Pokemon at Pokemon Centers. They can also battle and trade with other trainers via the internet at these locations. In Manamon, the same building exists, although it is now called a hotel.
10. Pokemon parties cap at six mons. Manamon parties also cap at six mons.
This is a list that I literally compiled within minutes, and I'm sure there are many more similarities out there that are worth mentioning.
I understand the level of frustration that we collectively deal with in terms of accessibility of mainstream games. Active ly encouraging the production and sale of a clone in our community is hardly a solution to our problems. This project is probably so small that it won't even hit Nintendo's radar, but if it did I think it's a safe bet to conclude that Manamon would be hit with a cease and desist.
I will not be paying for this game, and frankly I believe we as a community shouldn't because it encourages the idea that ripping off mainstream products and selling them for the same price is a legitimate business practice.
I know this post is a harsh criticism, and I don't mean to discourage Aaron. By all means if he wants to create unique games then they would be worth paying money for. I just don't believe this is that by any means. If he was a Pokemon, Aaron would be a ditto. Every competitive battler knows that ditto is always inferior to the real pokemon!
Thanks for reading!
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