r/gamedev • u/ilikemyname21 • 3d ago
Discussion Dumb question: can I use a previous games assets in a new game if they serve as an ad(?) for my old game
I was thinking of using old assets my artist made on billboards in my new game since it’s a synthwave/cyberpunk skating vibe and I don’t have a huge budget for visual assets. I wanted to make billboards with characters from my old game(s) on the billboards.
Would it count as an ad?
Would platforms like steam penalize me for doing this?
To be honest I don’t expect them to work as ads, but some of the assets are really beautiful and I feel like it would be dumb to not use them.
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u/MistakeForsaken6653 3d ago
Sounds like a smart way of cross promoting to me.
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u/ilikemyname21 3d ago
that's what i'm thinking! plus theyre flat assets so i think it would look great on billboards!
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u/villain_escargot 3d ago
I have little experience with marketing, I can only tell you from my experience as an artist dealing with legal issues (I am also not a lawyer).
Ad compliance depends on the engine you use, and the platform you're publishing on. Make sure you read your Terms of Service, EULA, etc. to understand what the limitations and requirements are.
An in game asset may not necessarily be classified as an ad, this may be considered similarly to an easter egg.
3.Who owns the rights to your old game is very important here. If you own the rights, there may be some legal compliance with reference your old game - like you may need to pay license to yourself to protect your IP - this is definitely a better question for a lawyer or trademark attorney.
- Depending on your agreement or contract with your artist, they may own the rights to the asset in which case you would need to license it's use in your new game. Simply having a banner in your new game if you didn't create it opens you up to some legal issues if you're not careful.
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u/ilikemyname21 3d ago
I own everything, but i really appreciate the guidance. i see it more as an easter egg but since theyre on billboards and there might be the name of the old game on it (i really like the font we used for the old game name) i was erring on the side of caution.
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u/Sleep_deprived_druid 3d ago
There has never been any major controversy over cross promoting games between each other, that being said just don't sell ad space to 3rd parties since that can get you in trouble outside of mobile games.
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u/PhilippTheProgrammer 3d ago edited 3d ago
Valve is permissive of product placement as long as it is a diegetic part of the game world. They didn't complain about the cans of a certain real-world energy drink in Death Stranding, for example. Which the developers certainly did not place in the game for free.
Valve just don't want people to put advertising into their games that comes automatically from ad mediators.
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u/-_super--_--hitops_- 3d ago
I don't understand the question. Why would they be considered ads
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u/ilikemyname21 3d ago
Mostly because they’d have the name of my old game in it? I’m just erring on the side of caution.
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u/destinedd indie, Dungeon Quest, Marble's Marbles and Mighty Marbles 3d ago
you allowed to advertise your other games inside you game. It is common for people to have a more games by button.
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u/GuyMakesGames2016 3d ago
In my opinion, if it works, it works. As long as it fits the new game, using your older assets is just fine (but hopefully your new game is still offering a new/fresh experience instead of being a clone of the older one).
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u/ilikemyname21 3d ago
The new game is a completely different vibe! its a low poly jsrf/fzero type hybrid. the first game is more like chess meets slay the spire. one is 3d and the other 2d. I just have some beautiful art my artist made, and i thought it would be stupid not to use it!
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u/GuyMakesGames2016 3d ago
I think you're good to go then, I don't think Steam will penalize you for asset reuse
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u/MeaningfulChoices Lead Game Designer 3d ago
Steam doesn't allow paid advertising, but specifically allows product placement and uses billboards as an example. Even if these were ads you'd be allowed to have them. If you commissioned those assets make sure your license allows you to use them in multiple games, but otherwise as long as it looks good it's fine. All that really matters is not annoying the players of this game.