fangame
Fan-made video game
A fangame is a video game created by fans based on an existing commercial franchise, made without official authorization from the original creators.
Fangames range from simple tributes to ambitious reimaginings: The Pokémon fangame community has produced dozens of original regions.
They exist in legal gray areas—copyright holders sometimes tolerate them, sometimes issue takedown notices.
Not for profit
- DMCADigital copyright protection law
- takedownForced grounding maneuver
- freewareComplimentary computer programs
- open-sourceFreely viewable, editable code
derivative · unauthorized · unlicensed · IP · copyright · trademark · permission
Expression of deep respect
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- fanworkUnauthorized derivative creative tribute
- reimaginingFresh interpretation of existing material
celebration · acknowledgment · devotion · respect · admiration · reverence · nostalgia · callback
Altering games unofficially
- UnityGame creation software
- programmingWriting software instructions
- codingWriting software instructions
- designPurposeful creative planning
development · scripting · mapping · tileset · soundtrack · debugging · playtesting · iteration
Not formally recognized
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- community-drivenLed by group members
- forumGathering place for discourse
- DiscordGaming communication platform
feedback · sharing · showcase · jam · collective · crowdsourced · contributors · testers
Nonprofessional participant
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
- self-taughtEducated without instructors
- indieProduced outside majors
- grassrootsCommon people as political base
noncommercial
Not for profit
- DMCADigital copyright protection law
- takedownForced grounding maneuver
- freewareComplimentary computer programs
open-source · derivative · unauthorized · unlicensed · IP · copyright · trademark · permission
homage
Expression of deep respect
- appreciationRecognition of worth
- dedicationWholehearted loyalty to purpose
- fanworkUnauthorized derivative creative tribute
reimagining · celebration · acknowledgment · devotion · respect · admiration · reverence · nostalgia · callback · recreation
modding
Altering games unofficially
- UnityGame creation software
- programmingWriting software instructions
- codingWriting software instructions
design · development · scripting · mapping · tileset · soundtrack · debugging · playtesting · iteration
unofficial
Not formally recognized
- collaborationJoint intellectual work
- community-drivenLed by group members
- forumGathering place for discourse
Discord · feedback · sharing · showcase · jam · collective · crowdsourced · contributors · testers · followers
amateur
Nonprofessional participant
- enthusiastArdent admirer of something
- self-taughtEducated without instructors
- indieProduced outside majors
game, fan, gaming, gamer, gameplay, gamekeeper, gamesmanship, gamification, gamekeepers