Taking Items/Weapons/Armour description from "Google" to use it in RPG Maker

Yes, just to ask. It is allowed to take description from Google search and then to use it in RPG Maker? [Will credit Google.]

Such as this,

I am not an expert in writing descriptions so I search from Google. "Mushroom"

And what it comes with:

A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. - "Looks very good! Using it!"

So this what I am asking for.

Thank you,

~Regards

 Justin Zalett

That's not even Google, it's Wikipedia. But I don't see why not. 

I search that from Google, I know it's Wikipedia. I am waiting for an admin to answer this, he (she) will sure know.

Whenever you take some resources from someone else, you need to credit the creator and follow his/her terms of service.


Google creates nothing, it only displays things created by other people - if you're searching for descriptions to use, you have to do the following:


1) use google to find someone who made a description you like


2) check the source (the website found) for terms of use if you're allowed to copy and use that description


3) IF you're allowed to use it, credit the site owner, NOT google for it.


Be warned, that most descriptions found in this way don't have official terms-of-use, in that case you have to contact the site owner by email and ask for them. Also be warned that if the site owner didn't write the description but copied it from somewhere (possible without asking), then you could still be sued for using that description - the original creator counts, not who placed it on the web.

But for descriptions like that, why not use a Dictionary - then you know exactly what the source is.  There are reliable online dictionaries if you don't have access to a hard copy (I see your first language is French, so that may be a difficulty for you) and they don't vanish in the way that other internet sources can.

One simple way to deal with this:

Instead of writing a description - just state the effect.

Potion - A concoction made of secret herbs that recovers strength lost in battle

V

Potion - Recover 150 HP.

Excalibur - ATK+150, Element Holy

Grand Mage Robes - MDEF+50, Auto-Reflect

You will lose flavor this way, however its faster and safer to do this than copying random quotes from the internet. 

After all - the internet might have faulty descriptions mind you. 

Why not read it from Wikipedia, but write it again in your own words?

@Andar: How can I contact Wikipedia?

@ksjp17: I'll try that way too.

@Curia Chasea: There are severals of items in my game that needs description or/and don't have any effect, such as A lost "White Flower" jewelry, player cannot use it because he needs to give it to the owner in game.

@Spink: I am French, there are so much words which I've never heard about, and this will be A long process for me, though.

White Flower - Quest item. 

As simple as that. Players will forgive these descriptions.

On a side note - if you are having problems with item descriptions, how will you handle the story? Wouldn't it be just easier to do the game in your own language then? 

I agree with Curea Chasea.  Sure, flavor text is fun for the right player, but not ALL players.  Besides, the only flavor text you're getting into that tiny textbox on the Equip scene is going to be in kakatana.  It's almost as if RPG Maker were designed for games to be in kakatana...

You're better off sticking with something that the player needs, such as intelligence regarding the weapon.

@Curia Chasea & Eschaton: It doesn't makes sense at all, without description on items, even on only one item. The game is boring to me. And story is actually very short and it needs proofreading from some one, and I cannot proofread item description because there are so many items and it's A long process to me.

Just written something up for description: (Follows Spink's suggestion)

Wiki version:

A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source.

My version:

Mushrooms is fleshy, spore-bearing. Typically, it is produced above ground on soil or on it's own food source.

Okay, but how does the player know what the mushroom does?  That's what the description scene is for.

Eschaton raises a good point. I mean, most people know what a mushroom IS, the issue is what it DOES in your game. Does it heal HP, does it cure Poison, does it poison an enemy, etc. That's what we'll need to know, you can still throw in unique dialogue as long  as we get the key information.

Well, now you're running into grammatical issues...

I need proofreading?

Tons of it.

Every single item will require proofreading. Everything anybody says will require it as well. 

This is why I suggested just stating simple item effects. "HP+150", "ATK+15 for 3 turns", "Remove Status Effects", etc. 

This is kind of what I call "facing limitations" as a designer. If for some reason you "cannot do something good enough" you have to either work around it OR bring someone on board that can do the required thing for you. 

I would strongly suggest that you made the game either in your language OR bring someone onboard to do the descriptions for you. It will save you a lot of time, work and frustrations. 

On a side note:

When choosing between "boring" and "confusing" -> always go for boring descriptions. "Restores 30% HP" is better on a potion than "Made from herbs and leaves of Alista Trees, this liquid recovers a portion of lost vitality". 

A simple, succinct, and practical description is all the player needs.  We know mushrooms are fleshy and grow on the ground.  Your description doesn't need that.  If your lore has mushrooms do other things like make people grow to twice their size and be able to punch through brick walls, then that might bear description. 

But if it's just a mundane mushroom (that somehow heals your body), then you only need to tell the player that it heals them.

Sorry, man, but the English in that description was atrocious.

Even people who speak English as a first language need proofreading.  Especially Americans... *shakes head*

This thread is being closed, due to being solved. If for some reason you would like this thread re-opened, please report this post and leave a message why. Thank you.


at OP's request