Pokemon Uranium Knockoff!

[NewNotNoob]

My son just alerted me to an app he found on Google Playstore called "Go Catch Monster" which uses the Pokemon Uranium starters!  It's a free app, but it has in-app purchases and ads.  He didn't download it may just have malware attached.  It not only is a knock off of Pokemon and Pokemon Uranium, but also the Mario games, as a screenshot shows the levels to look like Super Mario Bros.

[Pokemonerd25]

Wait what. Someone confirm this, I don't have access to my phone at the moment.

[Iron]

Hilarious.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/detai...nstergames

All the reviews are overwhelmingly negative because of the stolen assets. Legally there's nothing to be done, I imagine.

[Polaris]

All the reviews either a) note the stolen assets, b) think the gameplay is dumb, or c) are shameless "this is the best app ever" with no details plugs. I see no point in continuing to note its existence; by all accounts the stolen assets are the best part of the game.

[Lord Windos]

I have mixed feelings about this. On one hand, I am enraged that some hack thinks they can just 'borrow' a few assets from Uranium, and pretend they can make a complete, enjoyable game with little to no effort and/or expertise. The fact they include microtransaction is also especially galling to me. On the other hand, if being ripped off does not prove that Uranium has reach high popularity status, I don't know what will.

Overall, the existence of the app gives me conniptions, but as long as it does not bring any heat our way, it can just be crap in it own little corner...

[Pokemonerd25]

I also like how the description has no functional grammar what so ever.

[AgentParadox]

It's as I always feel. (not from personal experience mind you) You know you've made it big when pirates want to rip you off.

[Lord Windos]

Well, technically, Uranium itself is a rip-off of 3-5 generation Pokémon games, with the mechanics, most of the moves, some of the Pokémon, and a little of its thematic elements taken from Gamefreak's IPs. The difference between it and its own rip-off is that a whole lot of work and effort went into making this game, and its still being improved upon.

So, it would be a bit hypocritical to call out other games on ripping us off, now that I think about it. I guess its just that we, here in the community, don't appreciate low-quality, poor-effort, hacked out games based on Pokémon. Which is perfectly reasonable, if we set high standard for what qualifies as good fangame content...

[TechSkylander1518]

I think this considerably worse than making a fangame of something, due to the lack of respect towards the original creators of works. Pokemon Uranium, and a number of other fangames, were made out of love for the Pokemon games. They continually give credit to the original creators and don't seek profit (though I've heard Uranium had a GoFundMe in early years). Meanwhile, this game has used elements from other works without citing their sources and fully intends to make a profit using them. Ripoffs are always bound to happen, I know-especially with a game as big as Pokemon-but it's still pretty irritating to me to see people make them.

Also, this line stands out to me as hilarious for some reason:
"and we bet you will never run out of curiosity!"

[EeveeBailey]

Mmmm... everything about this rubs me the wrong way, especially the fact that they blatantly lifted Twitch's artwork for their purposes rather than making their own "similar" sprites for the game.  One of those screenshots on the app page shows her concept drawing of Archilles (found here)... despite the fact that Twitch clearly posted in the description of her art -- AND I QUOTE:

This design and artwork is © myself (Involuntary-Twitch) and Pokemon Uranium. You may not use it for your own purposes.

.... I wonder if she would have any recourse to be able to ask them to take it down, or if that would just put her under the gun yet again with Nintendo?