I find myself doing this a fair amount, but there's clearly a point where you have gone too far. I consider decompiling someone else's code too far, along with taking assets that aren't yours, unless you have approval to do so. What about the developer's blog, if there is one? Surely there are other cases I haven't covered? Interested in hearing your thoughts.
Eric Ahnell @wrldwzrd89
About: Indie game maker, professional user of Python and C#; programming addict in general.
Location:
Ohio
Joined:
Jul 30, 2019
At what point is using software like a DEV for ideas no longer OK?
Publish Date: Jan 19 '20
7 3Comments 3 total
Jaime LópezJan 19, 2020Don't be afraid of taking ideas of what have been done by others. Most of the new ideas have been inspired by other ideas, improving them adding a new small feature. Think about candies and the person that added a stick, those are the things I meant.
Eric AhnellJan 19, 2020Well said! I am not afraid by any means; I simply don’t want to get into avoidable trouble in doing so.
I think being inspired by other's work totally okay, especially when there is a permissive license. Of course, you should always follow explicit rules.
In terms of ideas and inspiration, I don't think anything is off limits. It becomes "plagiarism" when you rip something off "word for word". Just like in school projects, you're told to "write it in your own words". So you should modify your inspirations as to take your own twist on it.