Then stop making fanart of specific themes and designs.
It decreases the chance of ever seeing that skin coming into game because of copyright and etc.
That is probably why many highly requested skins don’t make it into the game
6 Likes
I think it might be more about skins being made way before they out, so they are planned for looong time before event they are added to the game.
So even if they would like to make skin someone want to see, it would take like 2 years for it i guess.
1 Like
Nah, they’ve had 4 years of people requesting something like lifeguard Mercy and to no avail because the concept has been so overused in concept art, 3D models and simple drawings that I cannot think of a design that would give them legal freedom whilst also being a good quality skin.
1 Like
Then they could make fan art free ideas contest and pick one they like to make sometimes.
And i doubt people overused all possibilities for themes.
Im fine with that skin never being in game myself. 
This is just wrong. First off, that’s not how copyright works. Just because you make something doesn’t mean you automatically have the copyright for it. You have to go through a legal process to gain the copyright for it. Second, you can’t copyright something that has already been copyrighted, which in this case would be Blizzard’s copyright of Overwatch.
14 Likes
Artists need to give away all rights from their artwork if they want it implemented from the game, means no credit either.
This is a big reason to why they don’t really want it added.
Blizzard can’t just take it, but if Blizzard wants it then Blizzard wants to cut of all connections of the artwork with the artist. Usually artists don’t agree with this since they worked hard on it, what i’m saying rn might not be correct so ima just grab a statement from a Forum MVP if i can find it.
Found it:
Second to that more technical issues too:
So it’s not only theme related, technical issues and issues with the artist against Blizzard seem to exist too. So yeah it’s pretty hard to get done hoenstly.
1 Like
whats wrong with just using the art, making the skin, crediting the artist and paying the artist? why the my way or the highway approach?
Mod Edit: Removed inappropriate language from post. Even masked vulgar language is still a violation, so please be careful.
Except, the artist most times isn’t making a profit from these. They are free designs but they belong to them.
If Blizzard were to implement something that looks relatively close or was actually built on an art by a freelance artist, they could be sued on the basis of copyright because they are profiting off the work of someone else without legal consent.
Well i would have no idea myself since i don’t have the correct information on hand for that.
I can’t find the Terms right now so i can’t find an official answer either.
You know how Blizzard works, aside from that it also has some technical aspects that seem to be an issue too.
So basically, if you want skins, stop making fanart
This logic makes some sense but it’s backwards to tell people this
1 Like
Again, not how copyright law works. Blizzard cannot be sued for using fanart, because Blizzard owns the copyright. They don’t even need to give credit or get permission. The only way they could get sued is if they personally hired the artist, went into a written agreement, and then refused to pay. But just using fanart, or something close to what someone made, is not enough for someone to sue Blizzard.
1 Like
I’m just saying this because every event, we get people whining that this or that wasn’t put into the game when the playerbase themselves have made it difficult for Blizzard to do such designs/skins
This is false. If you make something original, you have the copyright of it automatically.
Blizzard has the copyright of all Overwatch characters, so if a fan makes fan-art and Blizzard uses it, copyright still is owned by Blizzard. It’s scummy, but legal. But if Blizzard says “hey we are using your design” THAT would be another matter, because the design is acknowledged being original and some copyright applies.
2 Likes
The amount of possible skins is endless.
Even themed skins doesn’t have to look the same.
Well that succs :// Now I feel responsible for Roadhog not getting a speedo skin bc I made a drawing of it some years ago. And I feel bad for posting my warlock Sigma design just recently.
Is it enough if I put a statement like “Dear Blizzard, you can use any designs I make for OW. In fact, It’d be payment enough for me if you do <3.” when I post my stuff?
I mean the main reason I make these is because I’d like to see them ingame ://
Outside of not always implementing them well, other companies never seem to have much issue hosting competitions and using fan skin concepts.
That’s because those artists are immediately handing over their legal right of the art to the company/competition.
I’m not necessarily sure, but I think a declaration that anyone is free to use the art for legal and marketing purposes should do the trick
Nah keep doing it. At some point they’ll be forced to properly pay people.
But why can’t Blizzard just have some fan art competitions then? Or why can’t they just ask the artist to give them the rights and/or cut a deal?
I mean I use this example a lot but the orisa Forrest spirit was a fan suggestion and it made it to game…I don’t have the link now but believe me there’s no question
Willow wisp tracer was also a fan submitted idea
The devs absolutely do use ideas from the community