If I wrote a story based on Virtual Villagers,could I have it published?(cosidering a publishing company exepts it)

I've considered this subject myself. I think that before LDW would answer that, they would want to see a draft copy of the book. After all, it's more than just the copyright on the name to consider.

My guess is that the book would have to meet the same guidelines as fan fiction. I.e. it would have to be suitable for audiences of all ages; would have to be true to the story line in the games; and could contain no violence; mature themes; or cursing.

You also would have to consider whether or not you were willing to share your royalties with them? I don't know that they would insist on it, and I doubt it would make a big difference in their decision, but it is something you would have to consider.

So long as you don't make any direct references to Virtual Villagers as such, but simply tell a story of some people shipwrecked on a Pacific island, you'd probably be OK. However, if you called the island "Isolda" or similar, or otherwise mentioned VV, or possibly even the fact that the villagers are in a computer game you'd have to ask permission.

If you repeated the VV storyline - the escape from the volcano eruption in VV1, the falling down the waterfall in VV2, the discovery of the lost city in VV3, for instance, you'd be breaching LDW's copyright.

I'd stay on the safe side and ask.

And
(sorry about the double post)
Along these lines, could I use screenshots from the ldw games for anything school related, or would I have to ask?

Carla has previously given permission for using LDW game images in schoolwork, so I'm sure that would be fine.

Oh, okay. Thanks

Ok. I don't really have a story yet. I wanted to find out about this first. Thanks for your answers!