I'm wondering what the rules are concerning edits/customs based on existing commercial games are, since I get the impression originality is very important here.


Style for the examples is from Fire Emblem

This edit

for example seems unlikely to qualify as it has little added to it compared to the original


On the other hand, the base pose of

is edited from this, but everything else is hand pixeled.


And then we have things

which are completely custom (other than the face in this case, due to the style used). I've seen a number of fake Pokemon in the gallery so I would guess this is fine, but I have no idea.

(Some other customs: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/BwdYeti/PJ_Query/Drifter-Sword.gif http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v194/BwdYeti/PJ_Query/Phalanx-Axe.gif )



So is it no to everything, or a cutoff level, or you have to give credit for everything used, or what.

(Is there a limit on the number of links or something, because the last two seem to have broken)

Reference material is cool. Inspired by anything is an artistic condition.
Try to create your own original even when referencing on the heavy side and always mention credits.

Ripping, editing other's work or Franken-pixellin' is frowned upon here.

Yup. Just as long as it's credited.