Correct me if I'm wrong. Looking at the current open source projects, especially after visiting kernel.org made me realised there can be two types of development:

One which is like my project, phpRPG, a project that is slowly but continuously developed with very open goals. Due to the fact that it is completely open sourced and the benefit of not have any commercial / marketing constraints, the software evolves as it goes... sometimes I don't even know where we're heading. I believe this is partly why the development is slow too. This type of development is more suitable for those with strong initiative and creativity.

One which is similar to Linux: "Linux is a

clone

of the operating system

Unix

, written from scratch by Linus Torvalds with assistance from a loosely-knit team of hackers across the Net." This type of projects arises when the developer feels either dissatisfied with the product or the need to bring more functionality and features to the software.

I feel the need to push my PHP skills to another level. So I've taken up the second idea. A popular web-based game called Droid Arena - where you construct facilities, research technology and control a robot to explore lands and bring it to arenas to battle for experience and prizes - although only allows two weeks of trial period (before you pay), was quite addictive. Now I plan to develop another game based on this existing commercial game, available free to the public and developers.

Is this the right thing to do? Is this what open source is all about? To what extent will I be infringing copyrights?

If you care to give me a bit of guidance while I seek for the answers, let me know.