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Ethics of making repros of homebrews for personal use


toptenmaterial

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In general, limited releases. Like Princess Rescue for example. I want it in a cart, and it's not my work. My motive is pure but I feel like there is an ethical dilemma there. Of course I would support whatever is already out there on a cart through AA.

 

Edit: I am extremely drunk, so this very well be a moot point by morning.

Edited by toptenmaterial
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Some homebrews were limited release because of copyright holders demanding that the game (rom, cart, whatever,) be pulled down. These I have no problem with making repro, as long as the game says "repro" on the label and etched into the shell.

Most homebrewers will allow you to play roms on emulators or flash carts for free. I have in the past offered to pay the authors at least a few bucks for playing the roms, but each time I made the gesture, the authors told me that they want the roms to be played, because that gives them satisfaction that people are enjoying their work.

As for making repros of homebrews, NO. When you buy a homebrew, there's the acquisition of the shells, the time and effort to burn, the printing of manuals, but most importantly, this proves to the author and people who make the physical carts beyond a doubt that their effort is appreciated.

Edited by Inky
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If you made it for your own use and it's never leaving your possession it's a non issue. Well it's a non issue until you start talking about it on the internet that is. Then that also begs the question if you are not physically making it yourself with your own tools then you must be getting someone else to build it for you. Someone else doing this for you? That is a no no. Because they don't have the right to build and then sell it to you. That breaks any ethical standings you might be caring to keep in consideration.

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There’s still the issue of what happens when you die, or get desperate for money, or some other unpleasant circumstance forces you to part with your collection against your will. It then goes into the wild and could, potentially, confuse a buyer. There are different schools of thought as to if that should be your concern or not.

 

Me personally, I think a DIT report should bear no resemblance to the real deal.

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In general, limited releases. Like Princess Rescue for example. I want it in a cart, and it's not my work. My motive is pure but I feel like there is an ethical dilemma there. Of course I would support whatever is already out there on a cart through AA.

 

Edit: I am extremely drunk, so this very well be a moot point by morning.

Get sober first?

 

8)

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I think it's an interesting and legitimate debate to be had: do we have the right the recreate something that isn't ours? Reading what I've read, I'd say that it feels wrong and I won't do it.

 

But what is the difference between replicating (for personal appreciation, not retail) someone's original effort, and replicating a very rare 2600 game that was once commercially produced (Air Raid etc).

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I'm a gamer, not a collector. IMHO games are meant to be played, not wrapped in cello and left on a shelf.

I have no problem with repros of old commercial games that are long out of production, as long as the label makes it clear that it is only a reproduction and not an original.

 

I'm not sure what to think of your question as it applies to homebrews. Suppose the homebrew has been out of production for 10-15 years. Is that okay?

What about if it's only been out of production for a 2-3 years, and the developer is open to making a new run. What then?

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I'm not sure what to think of your question as it applies to homebrews. Suppose the homebrew has been out of production for 10-15 years. Is that okay?

What about if it's only been out of production for a 2-3 years, and the developer is open to making a new run. What then?

 

You get in touch with the homebrewer. Most of them are active members of the forums here, not mythical creatures. It is possible to communicate with them. If he says he doesn't want you making copies because he plans to do another run, don't make a copy. If he says it's cool for you to make a copy, make a copy. Stop making this harder than it needs to be.

Edited by KaeruYojimbo
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I very seldom drink. I guess this is what happens when I'm cocked. It could have been worse, like an insensitive political rant or trying to booty call every girl on my Facebook.

 

I was at a hotel with an old pal of mine last night who was here on business. We got into some ale and wine (lots of it) and were chatting about video games. I somehow because possessed of the idea that I needed a VSC again (I do emulation) and a hard copy of Princess Rescue. Anyways, thanks for the thoughtful responses and for putting up this tomfoolery.

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Never stopped people from selling bootlegs online. Doesn't make it right, either. If you wanna just play the game on real hardware, get a vcs and a harmony cart.

 

If you like to collect "shelf queens," pony up and pay the big bucks on ebay for an original run. Otherwise you're just collecting fake games. Who are you planning to fool with a shelf full of fakes? Surely not yourself... :roll:

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