Last edited by joliet_jane on April 27, 2012 • 1:24 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Overall I'm thinking that getting support for this project shouldn't be limited to Teh Intarnets. I'm sure there are people walking around in "real life" that love Tex as much as we do. There must be a way to reach them. (Does anyone have any better ideas?)
Original question:
In short, I thought I'd look into buying print ads about the Kickstater effort in Utah student newspapers. I asked The Daily Utah Chronicle newspaper at the University of Utah, and I found out that in order to get an ad in there, it has to be done today. It prints for the last time this schoolyear on Wednesday.
I contacted Big Finish about it, but I haven't heard back. I could wait more, but time's running out.
Should buy an ad now (about $250) before it's too late, or should I wait until I get permission to use Tex imagery? So confused.
Original question:
In short, I thought I'd look into buying print ads about the Kickstater effort in Utah student newspapers. I asked The Daily Utah Chronicle newspaper at the University of Utah, and I found out that in order to get an ad in there, it has to be done today. It prints for the last time this schoolyear on Wednesday.
I contacted Big Finish about it, but I haven't heard back. I could wait more, but time's running out.
Should buy an ad now (about $250) before it's too late, or should I wait until I get permission to use Tex imagery? So confused.
I think it'd be OK. Since you're not trying to profit on the imagery or pass it off as your own. You're just promoting the people behind it and getting their name out there.
Imagery copyright with games seems to be less stringent than other media. On broadcasting sites like Twitch TV people stream games and even profit on the viewers they get via ads (if they have a 'partner account', same with Youtube I think) but the staff do shutdown un-permitted streams of movies and TV series. With games watching isn't the full experience, so many end up buying the games they watch. So just some pictures from the game should be OK especially if it encourages people to check out the actual games.
If you were publisihing them for profit it'd probably be a different story, some companies have had issues with that but it tends to come down to what is "fair use" (e.g. game reviews that use screenshots).
I don't know who holds the copyright for imagery of past Tex games e.g. maybe Microsoft still holds some copyright over what was produced in-house for previous Tex games but I don't think Microsoft will worry about someone paying to promote their games and I see people broadcasting their games on sites like Twitch as if its seen as free promotion. Plus as its a local student newspaper I think its even less likely to draw attention from Microsoft themself, a staff member involved with the Tex games is unlikely to come across it. If its Big Finnish who hold the copyright then I'd say totally go for it. They seem a friendly bunch and its make or break for them with this campaign so I don't see them quibbling over it. They seem to use a screenshot from the past games and box arts on the Project Fedora site so I think they must have the freedom to use past imagery.
Of course this is just opinion though.
Does your university campus have a law students department? Sometimes they're able to give some advice. My local library runs regular "legal advice clinics" with the help of law students and other volunteers.
Imagery copyright with games seems to be less stringent than other media. On broadcasting sites like Twitch TV people stream games and even profit on the viewers they get via ads (if they have a 'partner account', same with Youtube I think) but the staff do shutdown un-permitted streams of movies and TV series. With games watching isn't the full experience, so many end up buying the games they watch. So just some pictures from the game should be OK especially if it encourages people to check out the actual games.
If you were publisihing them for profit it'd probably be a different story, some companies have had issues with that but it tends to come down to what is "fair use" (e.g. game reviews that use screenshots).
I don't know who holds the copyright for imagery of past Tex games e.g. maybe Microsoft still holds some copyright over what was produced in-house for previous Tex games but I don't think Microsoft will worry about someone paying to promote their games and I see people broadcasting their games on sites like Twitch as if its seen as free promotion. Plus as its a local student newspaper I think its even less likely to draw attention from Microsoft themself, a staff member involved with the Tex games is unlikely to come across it. If its Big Finnish who hold the copyright then I'd say totally go for it. They seem a friendly bunch and its make or break for them with this campaign so I don't see them quibbling over it. They seem to use a screenshot from the past games and box arts on the Project Fedora site so I think they must have the freedom to use past imagery.
Of course this is just opinion though.
Does your university campus have a law students department? Sometimes they're able to give some advice. My local library runs regular "legal advice clinics" with the help of law students and other volunteers.
(Ruri_Ayanami from the old Tex Murphy ezboard).
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
I don't know if it was the right thing to do, but... I did it.
When I asked if I could make videos or promos with clips from the old Tex games Courtney at Big Finish said: Go for it! We'd love whatever support we could get from the fans. So, I'm sure they're not worried about you using Tex images. This is basically free publicity for them.
We've come for your Daughter, Chuck!
OK, I guess I feel better about it then. Thanks guys. 
The ad itself for print is due tomorrow morning. Here are 2 versions I've made, with a disclaimer:
http://bambam.info/filedump/pit/k-tex1.png
The ad itself for print is due tomorrow morning. Here are 2 versions I've made, with a disclaimer:
http://bambam.info/filedump/pit/k-tex1.png
Cool. And good to know Big Finish confirmed use of past Tex games imagery is a-ok.
Instead of bigfinishgames.com you could use texmurphy.com which goes directly to the Project fedora section of big finish games website which talks about what tex Murphy is and the Kickstarter effort.
I like the version with the Tex logo than without, its such an iconic image.
EDIT: I agree with the comments about "111". Also agree about saying "best series" some might get defensive about that, wouldn't want to put them off before they check it out assuming they haven't heard about Tex Murphy before.
Instead of bigfinishgames.com you could use texmurphy.com which goes directly to the Project fedora section of big finish games website which talks about what tex Murphy is and the Kickstarter effort.
I like the version with the Tex logo than without, its such an iconic image.
EDIT: I agree with the comments about "111". Also agree about saying "best series" some might get defensive about that, wouldn't want to put them off before they check it out assuming they haven't heard about Tex Murphy before.
(Ruri_Ayanami from the old Tex Murphy ezboard).
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
OK, I'll make the changes you-all are asking for.
The University of Utah newspaper goes out to students, faculty, staff, and is read at a Community College also. That's a lot of people.
Utah is also Tex's home. Unless I'm mistaken, Chris is the greatest game designer Utah has ever known, made the best games ever made in Utah, and remains a good Utah entrepreneur. Utah should show him support. Or state pride?
And student newspapers cost less than major newspapers. The Salt Lake Tribune? Not likely.
Overall I'm thinking that getting support for this project shouldn't be limited to Teh Intarnets. I'm sure there are people walking around in "real life" that love Tex as much as we do. There must be a way to reach them. (Does anyone have any better ideas?)my voice just wrote:crazy... at least 16 students will be needed for this venture just to pay off!
how do you think - is there so much wanting in this university?
The University of Utah newspaper goes out to students, faculty, staff, and is read at a Community College also. That's a lot of people.
Utah is also Tex's home. Unless I'm mistaken, Chris is the greatest game designer Utah has ever known, made the best games ever made in Utah, and remains a good Utah entrepreneur. Utah should show him support. Or state pride?
And student newspapers cost less than major newspapers. The Salt Lake Tribune? Not likely.
Last edited by Sai on April 23, 2012 • 7:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I think its a great idea. The internet is very overloaded with information as opposed to a local paper. Also there are some people who aren't really into the whole online social media thing who may get to hear of it through a paper vs facebook, twitter etc.
Speaking of which. Is anyone a good writer? There is a freebie newspaper which is widely distributed here in the UK called Metro and they have a gaming section on their site which accepts readers articles such as this one for Shadowrun. At the bottom it says "You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. As always, email [email protected]". Worth a shot maybe. I'm not a great writer though, more the artist type. Some other newspaper sites have contact email addresses or online forms too to submit articles for consideration as well so if someone writes something good maybe we can drop it in their inboxes.
Speaking of which. Is anyone a good writer? There is a freebie newspaper which is widely distributed here in the UK called Metro and they have a gaming section on their site which accepts readers articles such as this one for Shadowrun. At the bottom it says "You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. As always, email [email protected]". Worth a shot maybe. I'm not a great writer though, more the artist type. Some other newspaper sites have contact email addresses or online forms too to submit articles for consideration as well so if someone writes something good maybe we can drop it in their inboxes.
(Ruri_Ayanami from the old Tex Murphy ezboard).
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
"I don't believe in intuition, don't know why... just a feeling." - Tex Murphy
