Public domain sprites?

[Kelvin]

I've been wondering, we have a section for custom/edited sprites from various IPs, but what about original sprites? Why not have a section where people can submit sprites that are either public license or are from an IP belonging to the submitter themself? I know there's the issue of sorting them, but why not just sort by the artists/submitters?

Take, for instance, the tiles that I've made for Kyrodian Legends. Now, the game isn't gonna be done for quite some time (I'm still doing XYG Studio first), but I still have all these tiles that I've made collecting dust, and I can't submit graphics for a game that doesn't exist. But the tiles themselves could work in a number of different games, and I planned on making them PD anyway so that other people could use them in their games.

I dunno about you guys, but I can't be the only one here who's made custom sprites either for my own IP or just for the sake of making them. I know there are plenty of other sprite artists out there who make PD resources, too. So, what do you guys think about it?

[Kelvin]

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==PROPOSED TERMS FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN SPRITES==
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I spoke with Dazz about this, and he brought up some very good points, and has allowed me to try and come up with good terms for the hosting of PD sprites. I'd love any feedback, additional points or more official-sounding syntax that anyone can provide. I'm only concerned about doing this for sprites as there's plenty of places for hosting sounds, textures and models, but few for PD sprites, and even some of those misuse the term 'public domain' (see Sprites Inc.). Without further ado, here's what I've got so far.

1: All sumbitted sprites must either not be tied to any IP, or the IP must belong to the artist. For example, Ari Fieldman's Spritelib is already public domain, and the graphics of the game Tyrian, while part of the Tyrian IP, were released publicly. TSR/VGR will remove sprites found to be in violaation of this term, however legal liability will fall to the one who submitted the sprites in question.

2: Sprites will be sorted by artist (using the same format games are sorted into), and then subdivided by use, such as platforming sprites, RPG sprites, tilesets, etc.

3: The license for public domain sprites will be similar to the Zlib license. This means that the sprites may be freely modified, used and reposted, even in commercial media. Sprites will be reviewed upon submission to ensure they are compatible with this license.

And here's the big one... quality control!
4: TSR will only accept sprites that are categorized as pixel art. 3D renders, such as Diablo 2, or 'painted' sprites, like those in Dust; An Elysian Tail, are not permitted. Sprites must show an acceptable level of effort and usability. Single-image sprites are also not allowed, particularly because of how bloated galleries would become and how inconvenient it would be for those downloading them. Perpetual resource projects may submit in packs of at least 20 images (levitation/position translation does not count as a separate image). NES/Gameboy level sprites are not allowed.

5: Sprites done in the style of other games will be considered, so long as they do not contain elements specific to that universe. For instance, Final Fantasy style humanoids may be valid, but a moogle-taur is not. For other species, rules for submission are affecte by the preferences of the species' designer. For instance, Goldfur allows chakats to be used in any media, provided they are portrayed acurately.

[Dazz]

I still think there will be problems; I don't want to have to judge people's work like this. I don't think that it's suited for us. I think that it would require a totally different website of just PD-Sprites. Otherwise people, because they get confused, will start using sprites they shouldn't.

[Kelvin]

*sigh* Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe I'll just host them myself on XYG, or something.

[Kosheh]

porque no las dos???

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Why not like, have a page with the URLs to sites of authors who OK the use of public domain sprites, but with the creator's consent that they be posted? i.e. Midi PMs you and says "These sprites are public domain, and I don't mind you linking to it as a resource on your site"

Then, you actually have to navigate away from the site (TSR) in order to access them, and there isn't really any confusion when the TSR banner isn't over the images...and on top of that, it can apply to the other aspects as well - like 3D models or textures...and their use could be more obvious, i.e. "Resources for Aspiring Developers" or something

* Kosheh shrugs

idk lol

[Search720p]

Its a good idea in my opinion, but yeah there could be some confusion in custom sprites and "public domain" sprites.

The concept is good don't get me wrong, it just needs time and a good enough following.

[Kelvin]

Well, we don't need to do it here, and I don't have to do it either. I found a nice site that already does it: www.opengameart.org. You can find me there under the same name.

[LooneyTunerIan]

Would... Super Mario Bros. be... public domain?

[DoctorGrey]

[This post was a bit of a bump, please excuse me. My foruming is rusty.]

The concept of having an archive of free to use Public Domain sprite materials is interesting, but I don't really think it goes hand in hand with the nature of most of VGR's materials, which are ripped resources. (if I remember, a few custom sheets based on existing intellectual properties.)

It could work, but Dazz has a point regarding having to "judge" people's work as worthy of being uploaded. Although, I don't quite know about the assessment people would be using works which they shouldn't. The idea of Public Domain is that the materials would be submitted with the express purpose of being used, theoretically.

3: The license for public domain sprites will be similar to the Zlib license. This means that the sprites may be freely modified, used and reposted, even in commercial media. Sprites will be reviewed upon submission to ensure they are compatible with this license.

(With reference to this quote.)

It kinda feels like it could become a bit of a "legal minefield" to tiptoe around, and perhaps a potential headache. There would kinda be a deal about whose responsibility it is to enforce the correct usage of the materials.

Ultimately it's whether or not Dazz and the other administrators feel like it's worth the potential 'trouble' to host such an archive.


-- -- --

Would... Super Mario Bros. be... public domain?

"Works in the public domain are those whose intellectual property rights have expired,[1] have been forfeited,[2] or are inapplicable."

Super Mario Brothers hasn't been ceded to public domain. All of it's resources (regardless of age, I believe) are still intellectual properly of Nintendo. Short answer: No.

[Sketchasaurus]

I always imagined that TSR was more of a library of sprites from completed and released games; the amount of quality control that is already done with submissions of ripped and customs already requires a lot of effort and if a public domain section is opened, it could potentially create more work for the admins. Now, if someone were to commercially release a game and wanted to upload the assets to TSR, I imagine that it'd be acceptable? (It'd be rare, but it'd be rather generous and useful if that sort of thing were to happen)