Request for Advice: Upload a mod based on 3rd party concept

[realsurvivor686]

Hello all,

I would be grateful if the community could impart some advice regarding a conundrum of mine:

1. What would be the protocol for uploading a mod, inspired by a 3rd party's (i.e. an artist on DeviantArt), concept image?
2. What if the inspiration uses assets from the game, the same assets everyone else has access to?
3. What if the 3rd party has yet to respond to any reasonable communication requests?

EDIT: I mean fan-art. A mockup of what they envisioned, using a combination of assets from the game.

[sil]

By concept image do you mean that it's official concept art for Mass Effect or that it's a piece of fan art (including fan concept art)? As the answer to your question varies massively based on that.

If it's official concept art (and is in the concept art books printed with Bioware's backing) then I'd say there is no issue at all with making a mod inspired by it, as long as you reference where you found the art. If it's by a fan then I'd guess the protocol changes.

[realsurvivor686]

I mean fan-art.

[giftfish]

Hrm. It is a little complicated since apparently this isn't a vector drawing, but something more like a composited render, maybe made with Max, XNALara, etc.

I guess I'd say this: as long as you aren't using the fan art directly (like using someone's vector art to create a new game texture), then you're fine. You *need* to acknowledge their work in your credits, though. Say your mod was "inspired" by it, include the author's name and link back to the work.

As far as the game assets, as long as they're vanilla, it doesn't matter. Everyone uses BW's assets -- it's what modding is.

If you want to be *extra* careful and you plan to host on Nexusmods, you could always post a thread in the General Mod Author forum and explain the situation using the fan art in question. An admin should answer you fairly promptly.

[realsurvivor686]

Thank you all for the advice. It was very useful, and it helped me with my conundrum.

I'll be sure to list the author, the art in question, and a link to the piece itself.

Much Appreciated