Can you use real locations in video games?

It’s legal to use locations but not specific buildings. Specific buildings often need permissions much as actors do.

Can the image of a building be copyrighted?

Architectural works are protected by U.S. copyright law, specifically by 17 U.S. Code § 102(8). The law does not apply to buildings created before December 1, 1990 (so architectural photos of such works can be taken and reproduced without permission).

Can an architect work in video games?

There are a lot of skills which architects and designers are trained in through school and work which become applicable to VR and video gaming projects. An example would be to look at a VR company like Oculus where they employ people just to design VR spaces for demonstrations.

What buildings are copyrighted?

How to Copyright a Building

• Copyright protection is available for building designs created on or after December 1, 1990.
• Copyright protection is also available for unpublished building designs created before December 1, 1990 if the building was constructed after December 1, 1990 but before January 1, 2003.

Are buildings protected by copyright?

Buildings created on or after December 1, 1990 are protected by copyright. A copyright owner has the exclusive right to reproduce a copyrighted work, and photographing a copyrighted work is considered a way of reproducing it. Generally speaking, only buildings created after December 1, 1990 are protected by copyright.

How much do video game architects make?

The salaries of Game Architects in the US range from $96,000 to $144,000 , with a median salary of $120,000 . The middle 67\% of Game Architects makes $120,000, with the top 67\% making $144,000.

Can architects be game designers?

Anyway, to put it in simple terms, yes, an architect can totally work as a game level designer, but they’ll have to un-learn a lot of stuff to do so in any adequate manner.

Can a location be copyrighted?

You can register a trademark on a geographical location. And there can be good reasons for choosing a place name as part of your trademark: it may suggest a quality associated with that place, or suggest an emotion or activity you want associated with your trademark.

Are building designs protected by copyright?

In 1990, Congress passed the Architectural Works Copyright Protection Act which explicitly provides copyright protection to original designs of architecture in virtually any form, including architectural plans, drawings and buildings themselves.

Where do video game designers work?

Video game designers typically work for gaming companies such as Blizzard, Electronic Arts, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony, etc. They typically work in an office or studio-like setting amongst other designers and programmers.

Should real world architecture be used in games?

As shown in the Witness, incorporating real world architecture into games can make them feel more authentic. Take, for another example, Gone Home, a game about a girl returning to her family home from college to find her family missing.

What do video game designers and architects have in common?

Architects and video game designers are more similar than you think. You might be wondering why. Well, both use similar tools to conceptualise virtual buildings with a user centric approach in mind — except of course, one has the intention for it to be actually built in real life.

Can you build cities like New York in video games?

Technology is finally catching up with the real world, which means cities like New York can be faithfully built in video games with respect to both size and population. The game’s not quite at a 1:1, which is still the industry standard.

How have video games evolved over the years?

The Dreamcast showed the world what could happen if you set a video game inside of the real world. Two years later Grand Theft Auto 3 widened the scope, with its rendition of New York City (Liberty City) on the PlayStation 2. Since these titles were released, video games have evolved enough to provide gamers with a true means of escapism.