Alright first off I'm not talking about ripping any files from Fallout 3. But I have been considering working on a remake of Point Lookout (the swampy Fallout 3 DLC). I am wondering if this is allowed if I make all of the files (textures, meshes, items , etc...) on my own, meaning I don't rip anything off of the original FO3 DLC files, I would just make everything my self, obviously I would base it off of the original artwork tho? Or is this still not allowed?
Also, I love Fallout 3 but for a couple reasons I want Point Lookout in New Vegas so don't tell me just to play FO3.
-And also I have not started any serious work yet so don't flame me and call me a criminal becasue that is why I am asking to see if this is permitted or not before I start?

Its not legal. To be fair I am not a modder.

As long as you don't distribute it to other people then it's legal.

Seeing as you'd be creating your own textures, meshes, etc. then no, it would not be illegal. Of course you'll need to rename the files and everything to ensure it's yours, but even then it's not only free, but it's based off of another Bethesda game.

The legality of it is really just there so that if you try to make a profit off of what you produce, that they can sue you for it. Otherwise no reason to worry. I doubt Bethseda would even take down a Point Lookout remake. Hell, I'm sure someone's doing one for the entire Capital Wasteland if it hasn't been done already.

P.S. If you're successful, mind making a Pitt remake too? ;D

Thanks for your help.
And as for the Pitt, I never played it (though I do own it) so I can't really say. But when I have more free time and I do play it, I may consider. I have heard many good things about it so it must be good. I mainly chose Point Lookout becasue I like the Swampy/hickish feel that it has. And I think it would go perfectly with a western theme. The only thing is that I have no clue how the Courier would get there. Maybe I could make some NPC with a boat on the Colorado River or something or I could be really creative and have a quest where you have to deliver a package there for a long distance delivery or something.

I would recommend doing something point-lookout like instead of point-lookout. If you are going to make a port of point-lookout to NV I would strongly recommend against distributing it in any form or fashion, because Bethesda CAN sue you on those grounds because YOU ARE copying a work of Bethesda and preventing them from making money, even if whoever you give it to has a legally purchased copy of point-lookout.

Yea that may be a better idea, I might just make a new idea from scratch.
But do you think they would really sue for a mod based off point look out if no files were ripped from the base DLC?
People remade Morrowind in Oblivion and as far as I know that was allowed?

Well, if you were making everything from scratch I think it is legal, because Fallout: 2161 is a Fallout 1 remake from scratch and Bethesda is fine with it. If you were to have the power to remake everything from Point Lookout though, it would be much cooler if you focused that energy on an original and fresh concept. Just my opinion.

Yes, this would be a lot safer. You could base it off of Point: Lookout or it could be based off of Point: Lookout.



In all honesty I don't know if they would, but if it is considered copying of any form; they do have grounds to sue you.



That was actually shut-down.

Someone made at tool to convert Morrowind master files to open them in Oblivion. That is clearly a license violation.

True "remakes" of old games have generally been allowed, so long as you remake everything from scratch. You have to ask yourself if remaking Point Looking in New Vegas with all new assets is worth the time, when you could simply modify Point Lookup in FO3 with far less effort.

Honestly basically if you recreate it from scratch with the assets and tools available/you make it yourself and it's distributed for -free- or you just use it yourself then yes.

If your looking to -sell- a Point Lookout-esque mod or really any mod. Then an issue would be there. For general content even if it's copied I wouldn't say there'd be much litigation in terms of PC Community mods.

I don't know how it is with the legal crap but considering all games are property of Bethesda I think they should just have most things included in the game as files for the GECK specifically.
I can't mod really so I don't have any use of mods really but still, if most things we inclued as modding files specifically it would be easier for people to mod around with stuff. (I guess.)
I know it might be about that they are individual games and that they should have their unique content, but it could ease some modding parts.
I have no idea if this is in but imagine if Oblivions plants and trees were in FO3's game files for the GECK.
Then someone could have created a vegetated wasteland without using Oasis models and textures.

So I really think that a lot of game files should be included from each game so that the latest game has it easier to mod stuff.
And uhm, yeah as long as you don't redistribute it, have the games and keep the mod personal and to yourself then it's legal. /helpful

Bethesda doesn't care about what you do for personal use. They can't track it, and it's one of those gray areas legally- what you do with the files on your computer.

That said, if you redistribute it, they will come down on you like a massive freight train.

So if you, say, ported over FO3 to NV, they can't do anything about it, nor would they care too much. If you put your port up on the internet, though, expect the almighty swarm of legal teams to descend upon you.

Please note, though, that I am not a legal expert, so I may be wrong.