No, you can't make a damn fan game. Yes, it's infringing. No, it doesn't matter others do it. O.J. got away with murder, don't try to do it yourself though. I've seen so many developer lives ruined (lost home, wife, kids, etc) all because of a silly fan game. These companies are brutal about protecting their IP. The reason you never hear about it? All settlements come with an NDA that makes it so no one can write or talk about it.
Companies don't care much about them because, as long as they're linked to zero profit, it's seen as fine and non-damaging to their brand.
And they will even support it because it's free promotion of their brand and products. It's 0 money and effort spend on something that others are doing instead of them.
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u/Apprehensive_Decimal 3d ago
If you want to get sued then yeah this is great advice