Poll of the Day > Are websites that let you play sega/genisis games as flash games legal?

(+) Yeah! (+)

I just found this site that lets you play any sega/genisis game as a flash game.

Is that legal? Is it because it's past the copyright time frame or something?

They have shadowrun for sega genesis on there, which is the only reason I still have my system and game.....so if it's legal I could get rid of them.

Looking on downsizing on my old game systems since I will be moving. Not gonna keep my jaguar...and probably will get rid of my genisis anyway...but this would make me feel better about it.
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Very much doubtful given how the laws work, but they don't really care
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pretty sure it is illegal

i don't know for certain though

It is illegal for them to exist, you're safe though

What the website is doing is definitely illegal. I'm pretty sure under US law you can't get in trouble for using it, but that's based on hearsay.
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funkyfritter posted...

What the website is doing is definitely illegal. I'm pretty sure under US law you can't get in trouble for using it, but that's based on hearsay.

Whether you can or cannot get in trouble, I'd bet my life savings you won't

wolfy42 posted...

They have shadowrun for sega genesis on there, which is the only reason I still have my system and game.....so if it's legal I could get rid of them.

I didn't even know until recently that Shadowrun for Genesis and Shadowrun for SNES were 2 completely different games. I always thought they were the same.

Like they are even more different then Aladdin for SNES and Genesis.
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Dikitain posted...

I didn't even know until recently that Shadowrun for Genesis and Shadowrun for SNES were 2 completely different games. I always thought they were the same.

There is also the JP only Mega CD game which was yet another different release. Fan translators have been at work on that though.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadowrun_(1996_video_game)
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Yeah, in my opinion the Sega Genisis Shadowrun game is the best one released yet, which is pretty sad considering how long ago it was released, and how many people feel the same way.

You would imagine someone would make an updated/longer/more in depth version of the game. It would be pretty easy to code, and I bet alot of people would buy it, even if it was just a bit better then the original (which is something a single person could code easily).

I won't use the site then, not going to supposrt an illegal site, but I do wish there was a way to just send in old games or something and get access to them online at this point. I don't even bother hooking up my ps2 system anymore (and rarely my ps3), nor any of the older nintendo systems etc, I just have too many new games to play. Would be different if I could just log in from anywhere and play them on an account I have, especially if you could play from ipads etc as well.

No reason not to make such a thing available either at this point....since it's obviously doable (illegally currently).

I'd even pay monthly for such a system, even if it was only games that I already owned or owned in the past and could prove I owned.

Actually over all I think it's past time we just consolidate all games into one online account that you can access from anywhere, and any system. You still need Switch/Wii games for the controls, you need ps4 systems for any exclusives etc, but you can access all the games from one online account, from anywhere you go.

Also, when you buy a game, you get access to it for all freaking systems that it comes out on. I'm tired of paying over and over again for the same freaking game. Especially when the dumb game comes out for ps4 etc months and months before PC, so you almost have to buy it twice, or wait long after it's initial release to play it on pc.

When is the future going to get here already?
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At what point does something become so old it is free use? I don't know what I'm talking about
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FellWolf posted...

At what point does something become so old it is free use? I don't know what I'm talking about

I dont know about video games, but for things like books I believe copyright expires something like 50 years after the authors death.
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Cacciato posted...

FellWolf posted...

At what point does something become so old it is free use? I don't know what I'm talking about

I dont know about video games, but for things like books I believe copyright expires something like 50 years after the authors death.

For corporate works it's 95 years after the publication date, though it's been extended in the past and could be again.
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FellWolf posted...

At what point does something become so old it is free use? I don't know what I'm talking about

Disney keeps lobbying for copywriter to be extended, but unless they do it again soon Mickey mouse will enter the public domain in 2024.
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wolfy42 posted...

Yeah, in my opinion the Sega Genisis Shadowrun game is the best one released yet, which is pretty sad considering how long ago it was released, and how many people feel the same way.

You would imagine someone would make an updated/longer/more in depth version of the game. It would be pretty easy to code, and I bet alot of people would buy it, even if it was just a bit better then the original (which is something a single person could code easily).

I won't use the site then, not going to supposrt an illegal site, but I do wish there was a way to just send in old games or something and get access to them online at this point. I don't even bother hooking up my ps2 system anymore (and rarely my ps3), nor any of the older nintendo systems etc, I just have too many new games to play. Would be different if I could just log in from anywhere and play them on an account I have, especially if you could play from ipads etc as well.

No reason not to make such a thing available either at this point....since it's obviously doable (illegally currently).

I'd even pay monthly for such a system, even if it was only games that I already owned or owned in the past and could prove I owned.

Actually over all I think it's past time we just consolidate all games into one online account that you can access from anywhere, and any system. You still need Switch/Wii games for the controls, you need ps4 systems for any exclusives etc, but you can access all the games from one online account, from anywhere you go.

Also, when you buy a game, you get access to it for all freaking systems that it comes out on. I'm tired of paying over and over again for the same freaking game. Especially when the dumb game comes out for ps4 etc months and months before PC, so you almost have to buy it twice, or wait long after it's initial release to play it on pc.

When is the future going to get here already?

well there is shadowrun returns.
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slacker03150 posted...

Disney keeps lobbying for copywriter to be extended, but unless they do it again soon Mickey mouse will enter the public domain in 2024.

Snap. Well, I mean if anybody can get it done..
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I have the shadowrun returns games and the shadowrun online (chronicles) whatever game.

Of the two I prefered Chronicles, but neither scratched the itch that the Sega Shadowrun started.

Didn't even really have any cyberspace at all!!

Seriously the formula in the sega game was just about perfect, you had normal missions and VR missions, and deckers, shamans, Samurai etc all had their own specialities etc.

There was no riggers, but all you have to do is expand on the original game and you could make something amazing.

I should have coded one 20 years ago when I was still making games, coding on muds etc, but I'm way out of practice and not up on the new languages (And I hate java). Also generally have always loved side scrolling rpg/adventure games the most, so I'd probably make my game in that genre (but still use shadowrun as the theme, karma to upgrade stats/abilities etc, and a variety of characters you can choose to play as).

That would be far harder to code then a simple upgraded/extended version of the original Sega shadowrun. You could make a flash game...quickly...that did that. Post it on kongregate and possibly if it's popular enough eventually sell it on steam (also sell upgrade/unlockable content on kongregate as well).

Just saying, any coders out there, you'd make bank and wouldn't need to work too hard!
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wolfy42 posted...

There was no riggers

wow, racist much?

green dragon posted...

wolfy42 posted...

There was no riggers

wow, racist much?

That totally made me laugh.
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slacker03150 posted...

Disney keeps lobbying for copywriter to be extended, but unless they do it again soon Mickey mouse will enter the public domain in 2024.

That's not how it works. As long as they renew the copyrights then that won't happen.

wolfy42 posted...

I have the shadowrun returns games and the shadowrun online (chronicles) whatever game.

Of the two I prefered Chronicles, but neither scratched the itch that the Sega Shadowrun started.

Didn't even really have any cyberspace at all!!

Seriously the formula in the sega game was just about perfect, you had normal missions and VR missions, and deckers, shamans, Samurai etc all had their own specialities etc.

There was no riggers, but all you have to do is expand on the original game and you could make something amazing.

I should have coded one 20 years ago when I was still making games, coding on muds etc, but I'm way out of practice and not up on the new languages (And I hate java). Also generally have always loved side scrolling rpg/adventure games the most, so I'd probably make my game in that genre (but still use shadowrun as the theme, karma to upgrade stats/abilities etc, and a variety of characters you can choose to play as).

That would be far harder to code then a simple upgraded/extended version of the original Sega shadowrun. You could make a flash game...quickly...that did that. Post it on kongregate and possibly if it's popular enough eventually sell it on steam (also sell upgrade/unlockable content on kongregate as well).

Just saying, any coders out there, you'd make bank and wouldn't need to work too hard!

I have all of them on Steam but haven't played them yet.
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Revelation34 posted...

That's not how it works. As long as they renew the copyrights then that won't happen.

http://copyright.nova.edu/mickey-public-domain

So I was wrong, but not because of renewing them, but because of trademarks.
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If you own a copy of the game, then it's ok...

So I guess you can d/l one of the mobile versions and then play it...?

Also, I never heard of this game...I guess it came out during the twilight of the Genesis (HC gamer in the 90s)

Might have to check it out.

pionear posted...

If you own a copy of the game, then it's ok...

So I guess you can d/l one of the mobile versions and then play it...?

No you're only allowed to make your own copies from your own original copies. Not like it matters anyway since anybody who actually bitches about somebody just downloading something they own is a moron anyway.
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Nope. No one cares though. Its just not worth the hassle to try and stop the sites, especially since no one's selling the games anymore.
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green dragon posted...

wolfy42 posted...

There was no riggers

wow, racist much?

quick, mark the comment for moderation. maybe one of those mods that doesn't read will delete it.
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I don't see it as wrong. You're not taking your own copy of the game as a personal possession. You're just playing a version that is being streamed to you. It's no different than borrowing from a friend.
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I can tell you with absolute certainty it is legal.

US jurisdiction says what's in your RAM does not count as in your possession. It has to be downloaded to your hard drive. Flash doesn't and cannot access your hard drive.

Same reason streaming boxes are legal. Know your loopholes. (Of course the biggest loophole for piracy is they can't get all of us)
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they teach you at school to share. but apparently adults don't believe in sharing, and you could get in trouble for sharing.
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the thing about these emulators is they might want you to download and run their own plugins instead of just running on standard out of the box browser software.

If that's the case, I'd stay far away from them, especially if you use microsoft windows

Yellow posted...

I can tell you with absolute certainty it is legal.

US jurisdiction says what's in your RAM does not count as in your possession. It has to be downloaded to your hard drive. Flash doesn't and cannot access your hard drive.

Same reason streaming boxes are legal. Know your loopholes. (Of course the biggest loophole for piracy is they can't get all of us)

I really doubt this.
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There's a note here:

Archive.org does have a collection of playable games - but they are for archive purposes and were donated to Archive.org with permission. AFAIK only the ones on Archive.org are legal
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Revelation34 posted...

I really doubt this.

https://thevpn.guru/kodi-android-tv-box-safe-legal-uk-usa-australia/

US? Yes. UK? Probably, but they'd need a specific lawsuit first since law in general is technically incompetent.

Before Kodi boxes, streaming pirated content was 100% legal across the EU. It's still legal in the US. That's exactly what this is, and they're miles off understanding what an embedded emulator even is.

US is actually incredibly lenient as far as these things go.
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