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Is it allowed to devolop a illegal game?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by MrBear666, Sep 8, 2022.

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  1. MrBear666

    MrBear666

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    Like for example in my country gambling is illegal. If i devolop a gambling game and sell it to someone is it okay? I wont publish i will just sell to someone else.

    Not: Gambling is just a example think about everything.
     
  2. neginfinity

    neginfinity

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    You'd need to ask a lawyer from your country.
     
  3. hippocoder

    hippocoder

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    No, it's not allowed to develop an illegal game. There, that was easy, wasn't it.
     
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  4. mgear

    mgear

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  5. BIGTIMEMASTER

    BIGTIMEMASTER

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    lol.

    last time I checked, it is illegal to do illegal things.
     
  6. Zephus

    Zephus

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    Well, it is illegal to do illegal things, but it only really matters if you're caught, doesn't it?
     
  7. BIGTIMEMASTER

    BIGTIMEMASTER

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    even if you are not caught, you have to consider what havoc the act might wreak upon your conscience though. Do you wish to live in paranoia night and day?

    Not all of us are cut out for a life of crime.
     
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  8. SunnySunshine

    SunnySunshine

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    I would guess the actual regulation is in regards to gambling services. I don't think offering programming consultation for a gambling firm in a different country would be illegal. Just my take though. The correct answer is that you need to talk to a lawyer from your own country as @neginfinity said.
     
  9. Kiwasi

    Kiwasi

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    Unity generally requires that you comply with local laws and regulations.

    For your local laws, you are going to have to consult a local expert. Gambling laws differ wildly between countries. In some places you can do everything but and get away fine. In other countries being an accessory to anything resembling gambling is a crime.

    Consult a local lawyer.
     
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  10. DragonCoder

    DragonCoder

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    There is a difference between producing the means and actually doing the thing that's generally known as illegal. In some cases both are illegal (like some drug production, but not all for example), in some they aren't (for gambling software, I'd say until it doesn't actually involve bank transactions, it cannot be illegal since otherwise digital Monopoly would be too).

    However you'll have to find out for your specific topic with a lawyer. At least ask with the specific topic, or an online-lawyer site. Here nobody will be able to give a clear answer.
     
  11. MathewHI

    MathewHI

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    I don’t think there is such a thing as an illegal game. 99% of games are murdering.
     
  12. spiney199

    spiney199

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    Lol, there definitely is. OP even provided a concrete example in their own post and basically answered their own question.

    Games regularly fail classification in various countries, too, sorta like a 'soft illegal'. Usually for themes the country deems beyond what is inappropriate for its citizens to view, sometimes for good and sometimes for draconian reasons.

    For example a game with child pornography would certainly be illegal in any sane parts of the world.
     
  13. koirat

    koirat

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    Hentai I summon you.
     
  14. neginfinity

    neginfinity

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    There's a difference between using artworks and photos of the real thing.

    Anyway, OP still need to discuss lawyer. TThe lawyer would say if it is allowed, and the length of prison sentence if it isn't.
     
  15. runner78

    runner78

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    I think you have to clarify for each country exactly what counts as gambling and what doesn't.
    Developing a poker game is not illegal as long as the player is not actually playing for real money.
     
  16. angrypenguin

    angrypenguin

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    Sure is. Here in Aus there's a franchise called Dick Smiths. It's now a badge on someone else's retail shop, but it used to be our biggest DIY electronics chain. It started back when CB radios were illegal to use (or something to that effect). But it wasn't illegal to sell the components, so he did, and had an eager consumer base waiting to buy his stuff, eventually leading to (local) market dominance.

    So yes, ask a lawyer, but if you're not doing the illegal part and it's not immoral, it could be an opportunity.
     
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  17. Moonjump

    Moonjump

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    This is an interesting question, but the answer is you will have to check the laws in your country, possibly with the help of a lawyer.

    It might be legal to create a gambling game in your country if it is only sold outside your country. Was the law created because an opposition to the ethics of gambling? Or to protect the citizens from addiction? The country is likely to not allow developing if they don't like the ethics, but might not be protective of citizens of countries outside their jurisdiction.
     
  18. pekdata

    pekdata

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    Laws are often very outdated when it comes to new technologies like games and the judge may have trouble understanding any of the technical nuances. Personally I would avoid it if there's any uncertainty.
     
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  19. MrBear666

    MrBear666

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    Thank you for all the answers, there is one thing I forgot to mention, I will not add real money trading, there will only be in-game trading in the game and I think this should not be illegal. And as you suggested, I will open a topic in the lawyer forums as well.
     
  20. neginfinity

    neginfinity

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    If there's no real money involved, that's normally not gambling.

    For example, in 1990s there was a g ame called "Ceasar's Palace" which was pretty much a virtual casino... for SEGA/SNES systems. The goal was to spend virtual money to play games to earn more virtual money.

    Most likely that's not gambling. But, if in doubt, consult a lawyer.
     
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  21. MrBear666

    MrBear666

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    But the problem is when i send the game with no real money version to customer. He will add real money trade by him self. I will send all unity files to him. Does this interest me too?

    And upon your advice, I also asked online lawyer sites, when the answer comes, I will share it here.
     
  22. MrBear666

    MrBear666

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    And sorry, how can you know what I did after I submitted the game and didn't publish it?
     
  23. hippocoder

    hippocoder

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    That's your problem and no-one else's business. Your risk, not ours. We don't in fact care what happens to you (note: by we, I mean anyone online. I am not Unity staff).

    It's healthy to understand no-one cares about what happens to you if you're doing this. I hope though, it will give you room to think about your own well-being, since no-one else will.
     
  24. MrBear666

    MrBear666

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    Thanks sir I'm aware and I asked this question if I could have a legal problem, not to do it anyway.

    When I said how can they know, I wanted to ask if Unity is saving my account or something, thanks.
     
  25. hippocoder

    hippocoder

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    Unity does keep some data tabs on you, particularly the editor, and depending on the APIs you're using there will be communication with Unity's servers. What data that is, only support staff can tell you, so you have to make a ticket.

    All you are doing in this thread is working out how to be sneaky with it, so it's locked.
     
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