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Can you copy a game idea without breaching copyright?
Yes, you can. Because people cannot copyright gameplay and from what you explained, sounds like you’re referring to the gameplay. That’s why you see many similar gameplays out there. Graphical work is copyrightable, so it’s good that you’re doing your own graphics.
Is game artwork copyrighted?
Multimedia works such as games are created by combining “content” – music, text, graphics, illustrations, photographs, software – that is protected under copyright law. Developers and publishers must avoid infringing copyrights owned by others. Original games are protected by copyright.
Do you have to be copyrighted to make a video game?
While you don’t need to have the work (ie your video game) registered to covered by copyright law, there are advantages to registration (see our guide to copyright law), and you can seek registration at http://www.copyright.gov/. Is my artwork copyrightable? Yes.
Is it illegal to emulate a game I have?
It is considered illegal to distribute copyrighted ROMs without a license to do so. Emulators are legal regardless, although there are untested arguments that their use is illegal in the USA as their use to circumvent a technological protection (the requirement that the original device be owned) may be a violation of the DMCA.
Is it illegal to download a copy of a game?
No matter whether you own your copy of the game, downloading roms (non-homebrew) is illegal, as they are a copy that someone has distributed. Your game copies/backups are your own games and they are yours.
Is it legal to make a ghost hunting game?
Yes, but be careful. This is another complicated area. If you wanted to make a game about ghost hunting, then that is fine. It is much more treacherous territory if you just recreate Pac-Man. Copyright protects the expression of an idea, but not the idea itself.