Clone (computer and video games)
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In the computer and video game industry, a clone is a game or game series which is very similar to or heavily inspired by a previous popular game or game series. Some genres are founded by such archetypical games that all subsequent similar games are thought of as derivatives. For example, there was a time when all side-scrolling shooters were called Galaga-clones.
The term is sometimes derogatory, implying a lack of originality, but clones can be anything from a pure "ripoff", to a legitimate derivative or improvement on the original, or even a homage to it.
In the 1980s, making a clone of a game was not illegal, provided no outright copyright violation or trademark infringement was involved, but as the gaming market grew, large developers felt the need and ability to sue the developers of clones which were too similar to originals [link]. These look and feel lawsuits, such as Apple v. Microsoft, are not common, but remain an option for developers who feel their franchises are at risk.
Notable cloned games
- Arkanoid. The 1987 release of the computer conversion of this arcade game - which itself is also a clone too - triggered a flood of clones made for leading home computers of the day.
- Commando (1985), a vertical scrolling shoot 'em up, produced many clones such as Ikari Warriors, Rambo II, Dogs of War, Leatherneck, Battle Isle.
- Dungeon Master (1987) was the first 3D-roleplaying game (though early Ultima games had contained same kind of dungeons). It was followed by many clones, though it took few years before the clones really start coming. Some of the clones took the game idea to a sci-fi setting but most of them remained in fantasy world.
- Tetris has been ported to all but the most obscure platforms, often under different non-infringing names. See Tetris variants.
- In the 1990s, first person shooters were called Doom-clones. Doom (1993) itself was the spiritual sequel to Wolfenstein 3D (1992), by the same designers.
- Great Giana Sisters (1987), famous platform game for late 1980s home computers, was a Super Mario Bros clone to the extent that its publisher was threaten to be taken to a court and the game was withdrawn from the markets.
- The first Warcraft game (1994) was clearly a clone of Dune II (1992). The game idea of Dune II was taken from a sci-fi atmosphere to a fantasy world. At the time when the first Warcraft game was released, it was the second representative of its genre. Later Command & Conquer (1995), by the makers of Dune II, triggered the flood of Command & Conquer clones.
Notable cloned game franchises
- Final Fantasy, a clone of Dragon Quest.
- Tear Ring Saga, a clone of Fire Emblem.
- Star Ocean, a clone of Tales RPG series.
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