Hi, I was thinking of making a game similar but not the same as the old mission impossible from C64 years ago. I will be using different graphics of course and different game play 'as I forget the MI game play anyway'. I wanted a platform game where you sneak around a building and get clues and flick switches on computers, open doors and avoid robots. Is this breaking copyright ? Could someone say hey a platform game in this environment (mu;ti-room) and avoiding robots and getting clues too similar to the old MI from C64 On this point this article seemed to be a little unsure http://www.sloperama.com/advice/faq61.htm

I read about this game called the The Great Giana Sisters. This game was apparently court ordered to remove the game from being for sale due to its striking similarities to Super Mario Brothers. The game had its own graphics, but some of the monsters and level layouts were similar enough (or almost exact copies) that a court ruled against them so tread carefully here.

I think if you used your own graphics and level layouts you would be okay. It would be even better if you simply did not clone the game mechanics as well; that could lead to problems.

People are going to tell you to seek legal counsel. Since lawyers are expensive this may not be an option. So unless you just want to freeze up and be paranoid you'll have to rely on common sense.

Make your game different enough so that you do not open yourself up to these potential headaches would be my advice. For example, you do not want to spend twelve months or longer on a game that you're proud of only to have someone send you a cease and desist letter that threatens you with "long sentences, many modifying clauses, complex vocabulary, high abstraction, and insensitivity to the layman's need to understand the document's gist."

well i cant copy the storyline as I dont remember it.
I will make my own levels, own graphics and make own storyline of solving a puzzle and collecting bits from each room.