I''m making a rpg game that I want to give away for free. Online, there are tons of communities that offer tiles from old 1980''s games. Is it safe to use these tiles in a game? For example, can I safely use a tile of grass, or 12 tiles that make a house? If it''s just for a free game?

There is a difference between "safely" and "legally". These tiles are protected by copyright. It doesn''t make any difference if it is free or not, if you distribute your game you are in breach of the creator''s copyright.

That doesn''t mean that the person will actually catch you. If your game became really popular they might notice it and catch but if not then it should be safe.

Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)
Game Development & Design consultant