When F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby entered the public domain in January 2021, game developers gained new freedom to reinterpret the classic novel without seeking permission from its former copyright holder.
Two developers marked the change by organising a game jam on itch.io. The event invited creators to make games inspired by Gatsby, turning a change in copyright status into a practical experiment in adaptation and game design.
What the Gatsby game jam explored
The resulting projects offer different takes on Fitzgerald’s material while raising a broader question: how much can game makers borrow, transform or build upon existing creative work?
That question extends beyond copyright. Patents can also affect video games, particularly when legal protection is claimed over technical processes or methods. Understanding the difference between these forms of intellectual property matters for both established studios and independent developers.
Copyright, patents and creative protection
Copyright generally protects original creative expression, while patents protect eligible inventions and processes. Neither system gives an author or company ownership over every idea connected to a work, but both can shape what developers are allowed to release.
For arcade enthusiasts and game creators, the issue is especially relevant when adapting older characters, stories or mechanics. A project may draw from material that is free to use while still needing care around newer adaptations, trademarks or patented technology.
Our arcade news and editorial coverage regularly looks at the ideas and technology behind games. Developers planning a physical release can also explore DIY arcade kits and arcade parts for buttons, controls and repairs.
Why public-domain works matter to games
Public-domain works give creators a starting point without requiring them to reproduce the original exactly. A game can respond to a familiar story through new rules, visuals and interactions, allowing the source material to become part of a wider design conversation.
The Gatsby Jam’s games demonstrate that value in miniature. They also show how a legal change can encourage experimentation, collaboration and discussion about where ideas come from—and who the law is intended to protect.
A useful lesson for arcade design
The same questions arise when an idea moves from a digital prototype to a cabinet or home arcade setup. Before building or publishing a project, creators should consider the rights attached to its artwork, story, characters, code and underlying technology.
For anyone planning a custom cabinet around an original game, the arcade machine buying guide can help with the hardware side of the project. The legal side remains just as important: public-domain access can open a door, but it does not remove every possible restriction.
That balance between protection and creative freedom is what makes the Gatsby game jam more than a literary novelty. It is a compact example of how copyright and patents influence the games people make—and how older ideas can inspire new ones.
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