Clone (computer and video games)
In the computer and video game industry, a clone is a game which is very similar to a previous popular game. Some genres are founded by such archetypical games that all subsequent similar games are thought of as derivatives. For example, there was a time when all side-scrolling shooters were called Galaga-clones.
The term is sometimes derogatory, implying a lack of originality, but clones can be anything from a pure "ripoff", to a legitimate derivative or improvement on the original, or even a homage to it. Sonic the Hedgehog capitalised on the popularity of the Mario franchise, but it was hotly debated as to whether it was a ripoff or a natural evolution of the platform genre. See Console wars.
In the 1980s, making a clone of a game was not illegal, providing no outright copyright violation or trademark infringement was involved, but as the gaming market grew, large developers felt the need and ability to sue the developers of clones which were too similar to originals [1]. These look and feel lawsuits, such as Apple v. Microsoft, are not common, but remain an option for developers who feel their franchises are at risk.
Notable cloned games
- Tetris has been ported to all but the most obscure platforms, often under different non-infringing names. See Tetris variants.
- In the 1990s, first person shooters were called Doom-clones.
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