"Punch Kidd" is an indie retro 80's platformer remake for iPhone, iPad and Android!

[TupWeb19867]

Welcome All,

I'm proud to present Punch Kidd for iPhone, iPad and Android!

★★★★★
iTunes @ https://itunes.apple.com/app/punch-kidd/id945837394
Google Play Store @ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timtupman.punchkidd
★★★★★


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEAnKP2lPEc

http://i62.tinypic.com/2eyf687.jpghttp://i61.tinypic.com/aetlro.png
http://i58.tinypic.com/122j9j9.pnghttp://i57.tinypic.com/maiij5.png

★★★★★

Punch Kidd lets you re-live your favourite childhood game, complete with frantic air punches, ghostly enemies and mysterious puzzles. Take the epic journey through 16 challenging and diverse levels. Blocky pixel-art and chirpy chiptune soundtracks of 80's consoles will bring this adventure to life.

"I used to love the Mario and sonic games. I'm delighted to find an app that rivals their fun factor!" -U.K ★★★★★

"Brought back loads of childhood memories just like being on the old sega." -U.K ★★★★★

"surprisingly true to the original." -AUS ★★★★★

"controls that work better than expected!" -USA ★★★★★

★★★★★
GET IT NOW
iTunes @ https://itunes.apple.com/app/punch-kidd/id945837394
Google Play Store @ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timtupman.punchkidd
★★★★★

Check it out, let me know what you think, feedback welcome.

About Me:
I’m a full-time indie developer, specialising in games. I love the iOS platform, and try to build great apps with care, attention and passion.
http://objcocoa.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/timtupman

[Tanooki]

So Alex Kidd clone hopefully without the jan ken pon boss garbage. :P And knowing how floaty the SMS control could be, it may actually handle better.

[TupWeb19867]

So Alex Kidd clone hopefully without the jan ken pon boss garbage. :P And knowing how floaty the SMS control could be, it may actually handle better.

No Janken matches in this game :P I would say the controls are less floaty, however the touch screen controls do take a bit of getting used to. Try it, let me know what you think.

[Tanooki]

Working now, maybe later. I see it's $2 which isn't bad. Have you considered a stage one sized demo for people to see if they like the controls?

[Alianger]

Interesting, but are you changing the levels at all? And won't Sega just shut this down, assuming it's a commercial project?

I'll try it out when I can though I'm skeptical about touch controls.
I'm actually working on a romhack of the orignal myself (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kVW0_Cdhko) and so are a few other people, using the fantastic KiddEd editor.

Good luck with your game.

[Blitzwing256]

Why create something original when you can just rip off someone else's work, I'm sure it will sell well.

[Gameguy]

Why create something original when you can just rip off someone else's work, I'm sure it will sell well.
Most companies have been doing it to themselves for years. I can't picture too many original releases from major companies recently, usually they're just another sequel or remake. The future of gaming.

[Tanooki]

The future and the past. There are at times still a few things that pop up. I think later this year there's that PS4 game which is like on an open galaxy procedurally created, No Man's Sky is the name, hadn't seen anything quiet like it before. But new experiences (or fairly new) are fewer and farther between as there's only so much imagination to go around in a gaming world where everyone apes something. It's not the 80s and 90s before where new things pop up and you're like DAMN! and just can't get enough as it's honestly fresh.

[TupWeb19867]

Why create something original when you can just rip off someone else's work, I'm sure it will sell well.

It's an original piece of work in terms of, each piece has been individually put together and made from scratch - code, art and music (Ozzed.net and an 8-bit composer Eric Skiff kindly provided the music). Nothing has been physically 'copied' here. Although more care to make the level layouts more unique could have been taken. If a painter paints something resembling another, is that a rip off or just a fans homage/tribute to the other work?

[Blitzwing256]

I can draw a picture of a ninja turtle with a pink headband and call it mine, but it's still a ninja turtle.

[TupWeb19867]

V1.1 came out today folks, with a few bug fixes. But most importantly, it now works on iOS7! :p

[TupWeb19867]

Here are some screenshots taken during development, showing me using the custom built editor ect... Thought people might be interested in the development side:p

http://i57.tinypic.com/28jv440.pnghttp://i62.tinypic.com/2s7dhk4.png
http://i59.tinypic.com/28mps8m.pnghttp://i62.tinypic.com/34e466e.png

[YoshiM]

Why create something original when you can just rip off someone else's work, I'm sure it will sell well.

Lessee....even looking back to "back in the day", how many games "ripped off" originals? On the computer side the Tandy CoCo had oodles of games that aped the originals like Dunkey Munkey, Lancer (Joust), Sailer Man, how many Pac clones, Etc. Etc.

I'd count Punch Kidd as an homage. If we start pointing fingers, there'd be a lot of places to point over the decades....

[TupWeb19867]

I'd count Punch Kidd as an homage. If we start pointing fingers, there'd be a lot of places to point over the decades....

Good point. My intention was never to "rip" anything off. Honestly, I searched for Alex Kidd in the App Store because I wanted to buy it. When I saw it didn't exist, It got me wondering if I should just try and create something very similar myself.

[Tanooki]

It appears you likely made something pretty nice there, no one should be accusing anyone of ripping anything off unless you straight up start jacking level designs and art down to the dimensions and pixels, same with the art. It's similar but not, like a console hack, but this stands alone.

[Hawksmoor]

Any chance of an Android version?

[TupWeb19867]

Any chance of an Android version?

I'm not ruling Android out but it would be a fair bit of work since it's all been written in Objective-C (Apple land). I'll see how demand goes on iOS and weigh up the decision in a few weeks.

[Tanooki]

I'd suggest just doing it to widen your audience as there are more buyers on android than IOS even if it is spread over various makers. There's little to nothing that only takes amazon store so if it went to google play you'd be good.

I'd suggest contacting pocket gamer (uk based) and droidgamers.com and see if they'd be willing to do a review or preview of the game to get some boosts in sales which tend to lead to feedback.

[TupWeb19867]

I'd suggest contacting pocket gamer (uk based) and droidgamers.com and see if they'd be willing to do a review or preview of the game to get some boosts in sales which tend to lead to feedback.

Thanks Tanooki, will definitely take a look at those:)

[TupWeb19867]

I'd suggest contacting pocket gamer (uk based) and droidgamers.com and see if they'd be willing to do a review or preview of the game to get some boosts in sales which tend to lead to feedback.

Tried PocketGamer and a few others sites, no response unfortunately. I still have a few promo codes, so if anyone wants, feel free to PM me.

[Tanooki]

If it comfortably work on the smaller iphone screen I would give it a go.

[TupWeb19867]

If it comfortably work on the smaller iphone screen I would give it a go.

Sorry Tanooki, all promo codes went. I'll have a fresh batch when I update to v1.2, so you'll be first on the list ;)

[Tanooki]

I wonder beyond ios and android if a game like that could be re-written to work on something older, gbc/gba perhaps, or maybe snes?

[dendawg]

C&D from Sega in 5, 4, 3....

[Tanooki]

I thought that too, but it has been up for over two months now and Sega tends to not care much as they consider fan service something not to jam a knife into and start pulling up for good measure.

[kai123]

C&D from Sega in 5, 4, 3....

Does Sega even have money to pay lawyers for a C&D anymore? <_<

[Tanooki]

If C&D means capitulation and dissolution of the company sure. :)

[TupWeb19867]

I'm currently working on the v1.2 update, which I think is going to include some new original level designs. If anybody has any feedback, I'd love to hear it and it could make it into v1.2 :)

[Alianger]

If you can port it to a system with physical button controls and include an editor then I'll buy it.

[Tanooki]

Sorry Tanooki, all promo codes went. I'll have a fresh batch when I update to v1.2, so you'll be first on the list ;)

Whatever happened to this with the 1.2 update? Hit a road block?

If you do ever supply that code, I've got a steel series free pad if your game supports bluetooth controllers that is. I could try and review the game on the forum here since I don't work for any media outlets anymore and not in a long time.

[TupWeb19867]

Punch Kidd v1.2 is available now!

Go grab your copy @ http://itunes.apple.com/app/punch-kidd/id945837394

What's New in Version 1.2

√ Opportunity to return to previous level on Game Over.
√ "Flight" now available from Shop.
√ Allows iPod audio to play in background while playing.

If anyone would like a promo code, PM me. First come, first served.

[Tanooki]

You got a quality product there from the looks of things so I hope the sales end of it works out for you to make it worthwhile, even that mars tycoon/sim city looking thing appears it could have potential too.

[TupWeb19867]

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timtupman.punchkidd

Go grab your copy!

[Tanooki]

Nice added it to android.

I haven't touched it in awhile, maybe I did something wrong, but I don't remember it playing very far. I went down the vertical shaft some and then it just seemed to drop out and just keep going like there was no end to the fall I think. I don't recall ever finding a boss character. Is that by design?

[TupWeb19867]

Grab a copy of Punch Kidd for FREE on iPhone or iPad this weekend. That's ZILCH, NOTHIN, ZIP, NADA. Happy #RETROGAMING

10679

https://apps.apple.com/app/id945837394

[gbpxl]

Have you been sued for copyright infringement for this yet?

[gbpxl]

I thought that too, but it has been up for over two months now and Sega tends to not care much as they consider fan service something not to jam a knife into and start pulling up for good measure.
I know this is a four year old post but...

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sega-shuts-down-streets-of-rage-remake

[Nz17]

In the case of Apple v Microsoft where Apple sued over its belief that the "look and feel" of Mac OS had been copied by Windows 95, Apple lost the case. That created legal precedent. Therefore if someone creates something with the look and feel of something else, but that look is not identical, the wording is not verbatim, and the sounds are not the exact same, then it is not copyright infringing. Furthermore, things such as the intangible feeling of a game are not able to be copyrighted. SEGA could theoretically send a C&D letter, but the developer is not legally required to comply. Furthermore, the music is notably different from Alex Kidd's music.

TL;DR: Punch Kidd is legally A-OK.

By the way TupWeb19867, thanks for making this free for a limited time!

[gbpxl]

In the case of Apple v Microsoft where Apple sued over its belief that the "look and feel" of Mac OS had been copied by Windows 95, Apple lost the case. That created legal precedent. Therefore if someone creates something with the look and feel of something else, but that look is not identical, the wording is not verbatim, and the sounds are not the exact same, then it is not copyright infringing. Furthermore, things such as the intangible feeling of a game are not able to be copyrighted. SEGA could theoretically send a C&D letter, but the developer is not legally required to comply. Furthermore, the music is notably different from Alex Kidd's music.

TL;DR: Punch Kidd is legally A-OK.

By the way TupWeb19867, thanks for making this free for a limited time!
I imagine a copyright lawyer would disagree but Ill leave it at that

[Aussie2B]

Some copyright lawyers might, but they'd almost assuredly lose their cases. If use don't use the assets, names, or anything from the IP of inspiration, you're fine. A fan-made remake and a game inspired by another game are two very different things. The indie gaming scene is loaded with games that take heavy inspiration from classics, and if that was enough to qualify as copyright infringement, there would be a mountain of lawsuits going on. And that's not even getting into decades of copycat games being released by big publishers without issue.

[Nz17]

Good summary, Aussie2B. I would agree with your assessment.

But don't just take my word for it. As each of us are laymen, let's hear from some real lawyers!

Look and Feel in Computer Software | ComputerLaw Group, LLP (https://www.computerlaw.com/Articles/Look-and-Feel-in-Computer-Software.shtml)
Practical Law 101 For Indie Developers: Not Scary Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eAW-7Js7NA)
Legal Battle Royale: Not Boring Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbaIIWWsxa8)
Practical IP Law for Indie Developers 301: Plain Scary Edition (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePQcAjuiSEo)
I would say that Apple v. Microsoft, 779 F. and Data East USA. Inc. v. Epyx Inc., 862 F.2d 204 (9th Cir. 1988) are of particular interest.

[gbpxl]

Some copyright lawyers might, but they'd almost assuredly lose their cases. If use don't use the assets, names, or anything from the IP of inspiration, you're fine. A fan-made remake and a game inspired by another game are two very different things. The indie gaming scene is loaded with games that take heavy inspiration from classics, and if that was enough to qualify as copyright infringement, there would be a mountain of lawsuits going on. And that's not even getting into decades of copycat games being released by big publishers without issue.
Well whats different between this game and Alex Kidd in Miracle World? From what Ive seen, it looks like a carbon copy.

[jb143]

As long as the characters, artwork, and music is different enough, and they aren't using any of the original code, level design, or other IP... then they aren't infringing.

The difference with most fan games is that they are using the original games characters, artwork, music, etc...Even if they are using original creations of the IP and not just ripping it out of the old games then it would be still copyright infringement. I guess the question here would be if the level design was in fact a carbon copy. But even then, Sega isn't Nintendo. They have traditionally but much more supportive of such things.

And I would consider this more of a tribute than a clone. I know those aren't legal terms, but more to show intent. A clone would be nothing but a cash grab, while a tribute would be pay homage to the original. Being similar, but different enough.