Making a "Stock Market Simulator" game. Could I have legal issues?

[FakezZ]

So I decided, since I really like simulation games, to build a stock market simulator game, as I couldn't find one on the web. However, I am using real company names like Microsoft and Apple. The game is going to be freeware and open-source with the Qt (yes I am using the Qt framework) source code uploaded to github. Could they like sue me for using their names, even though I am not going to profit from the program aside from gaining experience? I mean I won't really like doing the "Micronoft" thing Game Dev Tycoon did... The game is pretty much ready, besides some better algorithm implementation that will change in the future and a saving system which I am also going to add in the future. I am about to upload the source code to github, but I don't wanna do it and then get in trouble :3 Also this is my first functioning program above 50 lines!! (yay! I guess...)

[Nico123473]

there's a reason why dev tycoon did it

[FakezZ]

there's a reason why dev tycoon did it

Yeah, but they were selling the game, hence making a profit out of it. However, I am going to have it available for free and it is going to be open-source... Well, I guess I will have to change up all the names then :'( And I thought it was ready for prime-time

[Zeruel]

PineApple

MacroHard

PegASUS

 

There are some names for you

[Dredgy]

PineApple

MacroHard

PegASUS

 

There are some names for you

Do something like this, if you ever played SimCity 2000 or similar, the quirkiness and parody could actually be a huge boon.

[CatCloud]

@MyInnerFred look! A game for you!!

[Fred Castellum]

So I decided, since I really like simulation games, to build a stock market simulator game, as I couldn't find one on the web. However, I am using real company names like Microsoft and Apple. The game is going to be freeware and open-source with the Qt (yes I am using the Qt framework) source code uploaded to github. Could they like sue me for using their names, even though I am not going to profit from the program aside from gaining experience? I mean I won't really like doing the "Micronoft" thing Game Dev Tycoon did... The game is pretty much ready, besides some better algorithm implementation that will change in the future and a saving system which I am also going to add in the future. I am about to upload the source code to github, but I don't wanna do it and then get in trouble :3 Also this is my first functioning program above 50 lines!! (yay! I guess...)

Wait what? How did you not find one on the web? Their all over the place, Investopedia has one of the best ones...

 

Is your simulator going to be based off of real world stocks in real time? And how do you plan on setting sell and buy pressure? Automatic? 

[MuffinTopMike]

Not sure what this game is going to be like, there are already a lot of stock market games, but unfortunately they are all really basic and have none of the tools real traders use. I have been trading for a couple of years while at university and once you start with real stocks you realize how basic some of those trading games are. If you integrate some of the real tools traders use then it would be an awesome game. As for the names, I assume it would be fine as it is a simulator game and also since it is open source and not a major title, I doubt that huge companies really care if you use there names. 

[Opcode]

Use unique and custom names for companies, otherwise you could face legal issues. It's the same concept of making a racing simulator and actually putting a Ford Mustang into the game without permission. Unless you're licensed to put said vehicle in the game you're looking at trouble.

[FakezZ]

Wait what? How did you not find one on the web? Their all over the place, Investopedia has one of the best ones...

 

Is your simulator going to be based off of real world stocks in real time? And how do you plan on setting sell and buy pressure? Automatic? 

Nah it is actually pretty simple. I just set some random startin prices and they fluctuate randomly Not anything fancy, just something to fool around and learn

Yeah I did find some, but they were for like training investors and stuff. This is more like a game to have some fun with than anything else

[FakezZ]

Not sure what this game is going to be like, there are already a lot of stock market games, but unfortunately they are all really basic and have none of the tools real traders use. I have been trading for a couple of years while at university and once you start with real stocks you realize how basic some of those trading games are. If you integrate some of the real tools traders use then it would be an awesome game. As for the names, I assume it would be fine as it is a simulator game and also since it is open source and not a major title, I doubt that huge companies really care if you use there names. 

It is still really basic. i started it when I was on my village and I wanted something like that to play, but had no luck finding a stock market simulator GAME... They were all freaking training tools I will need to do some research on real stock trading and then try to have tools real investors use. 

[FakezZ]

Use unique and custom names for companies, otherwise you could face legal issues. It's the same concept of making a racing simulator and actually putting a Ford Mustang into the game without permission. Unless you're licensed to put said vehicle in the game you're looking at trouble.

Yeah I figured so, but kinda just wanted confirmation

[FakezZ]

Do something like this, if you ever played SimCity 2000 or similar, the quirkiness and parody could actually be a huge boon.

Yeah that is actually true!

[Sklo]

Simple email them, say what are you planning and your motivation, if the support you they will allows you to use their names.

You just need to write the mail once, but make sure it is formal!

[FakezZ]

PineApple

MacroHard

PegASUS

 

There are some names for you

Wow these are actually pretty darn funny suggestions! Btw guys should I also change the names in the source code if I want to make it open-source? For example if I have a variable called AppleStocks. I mean why would they care about what I have in the source code?

[YouRezz]

I wanna try it when its done be sure to post the link

[Fred Castellum]

Well I'd be willing to try it out once your finished. 

 

I'm a Day Trader, I trade stocks for a living. 

[FakezZ]

I wanna try it when its done be sure to post the link

I sure will

[FakezZ]

Well I'd be willing to try it out once your finished. 

 

I'm a Day Trader, I trade stocks for a living. 

Wow, nice! If you don't mind me asking (sorry if it is too personal or rude, don't answer if you don't want) is the money good? Just curious :3

[Fred Castellum]

Wow, nice! If you don't mind me asking (sorry if it is too personal or rude, don't answer if you don't want) is the money good? Just curious :3

It high risk for high reward, good money if you know what your doing. There will always be bad days, your goal is to mitigate loss with profit. 

[FakezZ]

It high risk for high reward, good money if you know what your doing. There will always be bad days, your goal is to mitigate loss with profit. 

You must be really nervous not knowing whether you are going to win or lose money each day. However, like you said, who knows, maybe you will make so much money one day that losing some the next won't be that bad, so it evens out. Anyway, good luck and thanks

[FakezZ]

Okay guys the game is ready! Here is the link to it(it is just a double-click and run executable): http://www.mediafire.com/download/9vw5k5n16lot9ov/StockMarketSim_Binary.zip

I had to fiddle around with some of the simulation parameters, so the prices don't go beyond limits I am also (valve time incoming) going to add a save system and leaderboard "soon". Also just to be sure I am not scamming you with a virus  https://www.virustotal.com/el/file/5ae884e379f26db74afcd2b428495c9d3b592dde9f0e4c8cb0bd2fbef34924ad/analysis/1410381165/     

I hope you have fun with it! If you want the source code to change stuff you can pm me(you are warned it is pretty messy and I just started commenting things ).

Also I may have missed a dll or two, you can just google them and download them(you just copy them in the folder with the executable)  Thanks for your time!

 

Btw here is a screenshot of the program:

 

 

 

[Opcode]

Okay guys the game is ready! Here is the link to it(it is just a double-click and run executable): http://www.mediafire.com/download/9vw5k5n16lot9ov/StockMarketSim_Binary.zip

I had to fiddle around with some of the simulation parameters, so the prices don't go beyond limits I am also (valve time incoming) going to add a save system and leaderboard "soon". Also just to be sure I am not scamming you with a virus  https://www.virustotal.com/el/file/5ae884e379f26db74afcd2b428495c9d3b592dde9f0e4c8cb0bd2fbef34924ad/analysis/1410381165/     

I hope you have fun with it! If you want the source code to change stuff you can pm me(you are warned it is pretty messy and I just started commenting things ).

Also I may have missed a dll or two, you can just google them and download them(you just copy them in the folder with the executable)  Thanks for your time!

Screenshots would be good for those who don't really care to download and try it.

[FakezZ]

Screenshots would be good for those who don't really care to download and try it.

Edited the post and added the screenshot. Thanks for the suggestion!