Almost every idea has already been there in some way in the past 40 years of video gaming history. How can we still create unique, memorable and enjoyable gaming experiences without copying and cloning each others? How much inspiration from other games is ok? What are gamers expecting and when does cloning actually start? What are the do’s and don’ts? This lecture will give insights in the development and idea finding processes at FDG Entertainment with examples from our projects as well as games of other developers. Be creative, be successful!

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What is hiding behind
the bad "C"-word?

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4. Wikipedia says:
"A video game clone is either a video game (or
series) which is very similar to or heavily inspired
by a previous popular game or series.
The term is sometimes derogatory, implying a lack
of originality, however clones can be anything from
a pure "ripoff", to a legitimate derivative or
improvement on the original or even a homage."
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THEN ALMOST
ALL GAMES ARE CLONES?!?
WTF!?

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The answer isn't that easy:
YES and NO
Let's start with...

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A short overview of
cloning history

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- Cloning is almost as old as the video game history
- The first clone: Pong
A short overview of cloning history:

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- Clones can also lead to new genres:
1st person shooters were once called "Doom-Clones"
A short overview of cloning history:
Doom 1 Modern Warfare 4

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- Clones can be more successful and popular than the
original game, e.g. Minecraft (heavily inspired by
"Infiniminer")
A short overview of cloning history:
Infiniminer
Minecraft

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The 4 types of clones

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Type 1, Rip-offs: always comes with
legal issues / copyright
infringements
Original: Cover Orange

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Illegal rip of iOS
version or fake app
Rip-off 1: Cover Orange (Android)

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Rip-off from same company
with slightly changed graphics
(AND UGLY!!!)
Rip-off 2: Cover Cherry (Android)

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Besides being illegal, low quality clones
or rip-offs will never pay off or be
successful
Cover Orange
Original Fake

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Type 2:
Style clones – e.g. Doodle style
Doodle Jump Parachute Panic Doodle Kart

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Type 2:
Style clones – Block style
Minecraft
Ace of Spades

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Type 3:
Gameplay clones
Canabalt
Jetpack Joyride

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Type 4:
Pseudo-Game clones
Modern Warfare 4
Modern Combat 4

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Why you shouldn't clone
EXCESSIVELY

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- Legal issues:
- Super Mario Bros vs. Giana Sister (1980's)
- Crazy Taxi vs. The Simpsons: Road Rage (2003)
- EA vs. Zynga (Sims Social / The Ville, 2012)
- Nowadays you won't be the only one to clone a certain
game -> risk of even bigger competition
- You're not original! If we all would clone games without
adding something new, people would get tired of games
and lose interest in gaming
- If pitching your game to a publisher, it's most likely they
won't take your game, as long as it hasn't something
new and original
Why you shouldn't clone

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- Besides not being original, the industry
may laugh at you. For example Tiny
Tower / Dream Heights
Why you shouldn't clone

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So, why do people clone?

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- If you're quick, you can "ride the same wave of success"
as the game you're cloning (Fruit Ninja / Veggie
Samurai).
Fruit Ninja Veggie Samurai

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- Current example: What's the word / 4 Pics 1 Word
What's the word 4 Pics 1 Word

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- Customers tend to go for something familiar, something
their used to
- If a game is not available on a system, a clone will come
and satisfy this demand
- Same applies to markets your app isn't localised for
- If you're original but ahead of your time (or too late),
your game will most likely be a financial disaster
- Easy money, but probably nobody will remember you
- Almost every idea has been there before in some way
- Cloning done in the right way –> inspiration / reference
- Cloning is essential to video games

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Examples of unique games:
XCom Enemy Unknown The Room

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How our partners
create games...

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Case Study: Cover Orange

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- Totally original idea
- Team said: "I wan't to make a game where players need
to save something"
- Character were an orange ball and a bomb throwing
airplane
- A girl playing the prototype said "what a nice orange!"
- Character was tweaked to be an orange
- The initial airplane was changed to a cloud to add more
character and personality
Case Study: Cover Orange

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Case Study: Blueprint 3D

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- After having created "Starlight", Kostya wanted to make
a similar game with 3D projection
Case Study: Blueprint 3D

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- During development, he discovered "Coign of Vantage",
probably the first game of this type
Case Study: Blueprint 3D

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- New challange: make the game different
- Basicaly easy and rudimentary game, so polishing and
presentation are even more important for a great
gaming experience
Case Study: Blueprint 3D

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How we create games...

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- First, there's the idea. It often comes spontaneously in
the shower, on the toilet or any other daily routine
situation ;)
- Or: "we need a game in a specific genre"
- Many brainstormings with lots of people
- Prototype, tweak, prototype again, try, try, try...
- Stay focused and never lose USP out of sight
Our approach when creating new games

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Case Study: Banana Kong

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- Yes, the game is INSPIRED by Donkey Kong Country,
Sonic the Hedgehog, Jetpack Joyride and Ski Safari, but
NOT just cloned!
- Before starting prototyping, the game mechanics were
discussed for about 6 months, with LOTS of different
ideas
- We wanted to make people knowing either of the games
feel comfortable immediately
Case Study: Banana Kong

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- The character is an hommage to one of the best SNES
games
- New gameplay elements: dashing, swiping to change
platforms, 3 different parallel locations: Jungle, Treetops
and the Cave
Case Study: Banana Kong

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How to stay unique:
Don'ts...

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Don't steal assets or other IP!
(hopefully obvious!!!)
Dont's...

42. Don't try to immitate another
game
Dont's...

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Do not miss the right time!
Dont's...

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How to stay unique:
... and do's

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Play lots of games
... and Do's

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Do research
... and Do's

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Brainstorm
... and Do's

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Find your USP
... and Do's

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Mix genres to create an all
new gaming experience
(e.g. X-Com)
... and Do's

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Absolutely want to use something from another
game? Get the permission, make it an hommage or
even think about cross promoting each others games.
Endless possibilities...
... and Do's

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Find a "gem" + find flaws and improve them + add
a cool or popular theme = you may have
a winner
... and Do's

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That's it!
Thanks for listening and
be creative!

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• Contact me at:
philipp@fdg-entertainment.com
• Download presentation at:
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/4981301
5/FDG_StayingUniqueAtTheAgeOfClones_FG_Mosco
w.ppt
• FDG on the web:
http://www.fdg-entertainment.com
• FDG on Social Networks:
www.facebook.com/FDGEntertainment
www.twitter.com/FDG_Games