If somebody were to write a book that didn't involve a continuation of any of the games storylines, but was in the TES world, could they be sued?

You would need written consent by ZeniMax Media Inc. stating permission to do this, or you very well could be sued. The TES storyline and its lore are completely owned by ZeniMax, and if you use their IP for your book without their permission it is indeed illegal. Now, if this is just a personal project, you're fine. If you try to publish this, may god help you.

Note-to-self, in several years, get Zenimax written consent.

Honestly, if they wanted a TES book on the market, they would probably come to the writer, not have the writer come to them. Always worth a shot though.

Even if they deny me, I can LEGALLY make it a mod

If? They're churning one out as we speak!

Well they do want a TES book on the market. They're already making a series, after all.

EDIT: Ninja'd...

I know they have the books out on the market... I was talking about independent writers.

And there goes Bethesda... SELLING OUT.

I feel so naughty.

That gamesas owns!

edit: isn't that fun? gamesas claims ownership over all user-made mods!

Oh well...good enough for me, I just want to share my stories with the world!

I could do that, but most would be vomiting.

I really like your enthusiasm here but I'd hold your horses; writing a TES book (when there's already one coming out) and then getting it approved will be something very difficult. I expect you'll have to practice your writing pretty much everyday... and not just on here.

I'd like to know your ideas, too. What've you got planned? Or are you just dwelling on the thought right now?

If your stories are worth it, I think it is easier to put them into a non-TES world. You can make it similar, you can say it was inspired by TES. If you go check the Discworld world, there is some similarity between it and Tamriel: both in fantasy middle ages, both have numerous guilds, including assassins and thieves, Arcane/Unseen University... The only real difference is that Discworld is a humorous setting, sometimes it borders on parody. Other than that, they are pretty similar. Besides TES world is suppose to be a spinoff of D&D. If they can do it, you can do it.

I had the same idea with my current fan fic (the one in my signature). Some day I might actually use that story in a world of my own. So far, I'm just enjoying myself that I'm progressing with my writing skill. Fan fic gives me a freedom no other writing can.

Actually, original fiction gives you freedom no other writing can.

Seconded. :foodndrink:

Zalphon, if you really want to write a book, it can't be fanfiction. With very few exceptions (like the books Bethesda is currently having written), you're not allowed to make money off someone else's world. You can attribute your inspiration to other people, and you can mention that you started writing in TES fanfiction in an introduction or something... but, unless it's criticism or parody, making money off someone else's work is copyright infringement, plain and simple.

Fanfiction and original fiction are two different beasts, but if you're really interested in writing a book, you should definitely try it. Original fiction takes a long time of preparation (I'm into the years mark on my first original book, and I haven't even finished it yet!), and a lot of devotion. But you have complete control over it. You make up the Lore. You make up the people. You make up the magic, and the mood, and the geography. World-building alone is a HUGE project, and you do have to do a little research to make sure things make sense (where should mountains and deserts go on a standard land mass? What kinds of problems do different kinds of governments usually have? How much agricultural land do you need to sustain a certain population in a medieval society?). It is a huge project, and it doesn't give you the built-in fanbase that fanfiction does, but it's also a whole lot of fun. And who knows, it might make you a little extra money too.

Fanfiction is for appreciating someone else's world. Original fiction is for creating your own. I suggest you do both. :dance:

Yeah, everything Sparrow says is right. Original Fiction gives you such a feeling of accomplishment nothing else can give you. It's all YOUR work. I can't imagine a better feeling, really.

I like writing non-fiction better, but that's just me. Really, fan fiction is just that: you're writing fiction because you're a fan, not to be successful.

True that; trust me Zalphon, I don't think you could actually make a living off writing fan-fics. However you could write here a lot (and other places), which will increase your writing ability and give you more of a sense of how to write fantasy novels.

Well I will stick to my own fiction world...

That's excellent! I believe you have the imagination and determination to do it.

I'd love to write a fantasy book but it just seems so difficult.

Except the freedom of being lazy. One's own fiction needs world development and that takes the most time if you want to be original. Fan fiction gives you an option of using a created world and let's you work on characters, plots and such. Hence I spend all the time writing fan fiction instead of writing my own stuff. To get practice.

I agree with both points of view to be honest. Heh, nothing like sitting on the fence

The majority of my writing is original work, but when I start struggling or losing enthusiasm, that's when I turn back to my ongoing fanfictions. I'm not sure it's the freedom aspect, more the lack of pressure or expectation. I can't afford to make mistakes with my work, not if I'm sending it to my agent or a publisher. Fanfiction? Well, it's for me and me alone. The pressure's off, and I can allow myself to make mistakes. I try not to make too many mind you, but I don't beat myself up if I do make the odd one...

Fanfiction does allow me a certain amount of freedom then, taken from that perspective. It's like a writing exercise. And a bloody good fun writing exercise at that