Is it copyright....

[Pandalisk]

What without the games permission to do so? and publish the book to make money?
is killing someone murder?

 

[Hazy]

Without the Creator's Consent, I think so.
And if you're planning to publish it and sell it for profit without the proper consent, Definitely copyright.
If it's Fanfiction, or otherwise not intended for commercial release, then I don't think theres a problem.

 

[fenrizz]

According to law, yes.
Do I think you should be able to anyway? yes I do.

 

[Nincompoop]

What without the games permission to do so? and publish the book to make money?
is killing someone murder?

I always enjoy sarcasm =P. (this was not sarcasm btw lol, I really do. I lol'd of your comment)

 

[Zhandarr]

Im trying to get into contact with the creators to ask. If anyone could get me a contact page for the creators of Oblivion, or managers, it'd be a great help.

 

[Diablini]

Only if you want to make money. Oh excuse me! Only if you MAKE money.

 

[Trivun]

Hmmmm, fanfics are okay if you're just doing it for your own enjoyment or to put on some fanfic site. Not for money, anyway. If you'll be making any sort of money or releasing it for any commercial use, or just publishing it anyway, then it's copyright and therefore illegal without permission from the copyright holder. I don't know much more about copyright law than that, and anyway it depends on the country (copyright law is generally the same in most places but there's always a chance that it's different in some countries). Hence take a look at the link posted by xmetatr0nx, since unless anyone here is a law student or a solicitor/lawyer/attorney/etc, we can't help you much more.

 

[HobbesMkii]

If anyone could get me a contact page for the creators of Oblivion, or managers, it'd be a great help.

You have an internet connect, and a browser, so ipso facto you have google. They're called "Bethesda Softworks." I suggest you use google and the name, and then look up "Contact" or "About Us" or something on their site. I'll bet there's already someone working on the books (something tells me they have a ton of talented writers at their disposal) and I'll bet Bethesda or their parent company ZeniMax takes a big bite out of those profits.

Now, it's illegal to novelize the story in the game, but setting a novel in the game's setting is a little hazier. A number of writers have gotten away with writing stories set in someone else's universe. However, generally those universes exist in public domain. And sometimes it fails, like the (unofficial) sequel to The Catcher in the Rye which J.D. Salinger (the original writer) sued to prevent.

 

[Zhandarr]

That makes sense, thanks.

 

[The Infamous Scamola]

Wait for seventy years after the death of the creator, then it falls into public domain and you're free to write your book.

Might be a bit tricky with a videogame though...

 

[Zhandarr]

Lol, Ill have altzheimers by then.

 

[megapenguinx]

Im trying to get into contact with the creators to ask. If anyone could get me a contact page for the creators of Oblivion, or managers, it'd be a great help.

http://www.bethsoft.com/eng/contact.php There you go. I however highly doubt they will let you make a book based on their works, especially if you intend to publish and sell it.

 

[Pimppeter2]

What without the games permission to do so? and publish the book to make money?
is killing someone murder?

Only if it isn't fun.

 

[Rascarin]

...

I thought this thread was about "THE" game. The one that people lose, you know? Mentioning Oblivion in the first post might've been a good idea.

And yes, making something based on a Copyright without the owners permission and profiting from it IS illegal.

 

[D_987]

According to law, yes.
Do I think you should be able to anyway? yes I do.

Yeah, lets increase the number of botched licensed (or in this case non-licensed) games! That'll do wonders for the source material...

 

[Trivun]

Now, it's illegal to novelize the story in the game, but setting a novel in the game's setting is a little hazier. A number of writers have gotten away with writing stories set in someone else's universe. However, generally those universes exist in public domain. And sometimes it fails, like the (unofficial) sequel to The Catcher in the Rye which J.D. Salinger (the original writer) sued to prevent.

Hmmm, well, a lot of successful developers have actually commisioned writers to produce novelisations of particular games, most notably Gears of War, Halo (all of which have to date been on the New York Times bestseller list), and Resident Evil. Hence if the OP gets in touch with Bethesda then they may well commision him to write an Oblivion novel, or at least a novel in the same setting. Obviously this all depends on whether they're looking for writers to do such a thing, and also on the writing skills of the OP. Even then it's unlikely. But still possible, all the guy has to do is ask the company .

 

[Jharry5]

I'm no expert, but I thought that using anything without the creator's permission was classed as infringing copyright.

 

[Zhandarr]

Thanks for all the help Trivum.

I sent them an e-mail.

 

[Lord George]

Looks like someone beat you to it

http://blastmagazine.com/the-magazine/gaming/gaming-news/2009/04/bethesda-and-del-ray-books-team-up-for-oblivion-book-series/

http://www.pcformat.co.uk/blog-entry/elder-scrolls-oblivion-novels-and-rogue-warrior-27-04-09

 

[walls of cetepedes]

I adapted to opening of Farenhiet into a story for English class. Got an A, too.