Free Software

[meoblast001]

From my understanding, this game, Capsized, will be released under a proprietary, restrictive license. I personally believe that this will do nothing but harm both the game and its users. A proprietary game may upset users who wish to modify it to their liking, and may reduce the quality of the game due to lack of platform independence, flexibility with system differences, etc. By making Capsized free software, it could reach more players as well. I understand that Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade may restrict licensing terms, but this does not prevent Capsized from going free. The proprietary version that Microsoft may force you to distribute could reflect the free version entirely. If you intended to profit from Capsized, that would still be possible through feature requests and through various distribution mediums (the Capsized site mentions that Steam will be a distribution medium that you plan to use). Please consider this request. For more information on free software licenses, visit http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html.

[Ijal]

From my understanding, this game, Capsized, will be released under a proprietary, restrictive license. I personally believe that this will do nothing but harm both the game and its users. A proprietary game may upset users who wish to modify it to their liking, and may reduce the quality of the game due to lack of platform independence, flexibility with system differences, etc. By making Capsized free software, it could reach more players as well. I understand that Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade may restrict licensing terms, but this does not prevent Capsized from going free. The proprietary version that Microsoft may force you to distribute could reflect the free version entirely. If you intended to profit from Capsized, that would still be possible through feature requests and through various distribution mediums (the site mentions Steam). Please consider this request. For more information on free software licenses, visit http://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list.html.

Proprietary doesn't mean closed source, conversely free doesn't mean open source. I don't know the rules and regulations associated with Xbox live, or Steam, but I suspect that they are very restrictive.

I also don't know the feelings of the developers for this project, but personally I would want to get paid for my initial investment.

[meoblast001]

I also don't know the feelings of the developers for this project, but personally I would want to get paid for my initial investment.

If you intended to profit from Capsized, that would still be possible through feature requests and through various distribution mediums

[ai]

Feature requests and distribution mediums aren't certain, selling/profiting from a game that is already made, that's 100% security.

[Ijal]

Feature requests and distribution mediums aren't certain, selling/profiting from a game that is already made, that's 100% security.

I agree completely.

However, I am curious if there are any games out there that have survived on revenue generated from individual feature requests? Additional content doesn't count, because a game without content is just a demo. I'm talking about legitimate software features.

[meoblast001]

Feature requests and distribution mediums aren't certain, selling/profiting from a game that is already made, that's 100% security.

Well consider this. Most games are distributed on CDs and most people don't know how to use a compiler. You've already got 2 forms of profit right there. Downloading the executable or purchasing it on disc could be charged. And if i understand correctly, free software can also charge for source code as long as it is available with the executables. I'm not 100% sure on the details behind selling source code.

EDIT:
To clear up any possible misunderstandings.
From Wikipedia:
"Free software, software libre or libre software is software that can be used, studied, and modified without restriction, and which can be copied and redistributed in modified or unmodified form either without restriction, or with minimal restrictions only to ensure that further recipients can also do these things and that manufacturers of consumer-facing hardware allow user modifications to their hardware. Free software is available gratis (free of charge) in most (as in, not all) cases."

[Flying Steel]

It'd probably make a lot more sense to just release the source code a few years after the initial commercial release, when most everyone who is going to buy the game has already bought it and sales have greatly decreased.

After all, Nexuiz and Zymotic exist because id software essentially used this model for Quake's engine.

[Lee_Stricklin]

It'd probably make a lot more sense to just release the source code a few years after the initial commercial release, when most everyone who is going to buy the game has already bought it and sales have greatly decreased.

After all, Nexuiz and Zymotic exist because id software essentially used this model for Quake's engine.

True that and the way I see it (I'm gonna get burned for this) is that it should be up to the developers that pieced together the game, software, music, movie, etc. how it should be distributed. If a dev wants to license it out to make a profit that's fine, if they want to hand it out for free that's fine, if they want to open it's source code for the world to improve upon that's also cool. Where people are starting to cross the line at is most of the new DRMs that go as far as spying on you or installing a root kit on your system or treating the product like a service and limiting your installs. With the exception of Bioshock (since you can now re-install as many times as you want) I'll never touch TAGES or SecuROM DRM'd products. Free or not I'll most likely play Capsized.

[ai]

True that and the way I see it (I'm gonna get burned for this) is that it should be up to the developers that pieced together the game, software, music, movie, etc. how it should be distributed. If a dev wants to license it out to make a profit that's fine, if they want to hand it out for free that's fine, if they want to open it's source code for the world to improve upon that's also cool.

No burn, this is how things work. No one really has the right to ask or demand the developers to release the game in one specific way. Unless, of course, it's XBox live and Steam and you wanna use that service. -_^

[meoblast001]

It'd probably make a lot more sense to just release the source code a few years after the initial commercial release, when most everyone who is going to buy the game has already bought it and sales have greatly decreased.

After all, Nexuiz and Zymotic exist because id software essentially used this model for Quake's engine.

True that and the way I see it (I'm gonna get burned for this) is that it should be up to the developers that pieced together the game, software, music, movie, etc. how it should be distributed. If a dev wants to license it out to make a profit that's fine, if they want to hand it out for free that's fine, if they want to open it's source code for the world to improve upon that's also cool. Where people are starting to cross the line at is most of the new DRMs that go as far as spying on you or installing a root kit on your system or treating the product like a service and limiting your installs. With the exception of Bioshock (since you can now re-install as many times as you want) I'll never touch TAGES or SecuROM DRM'd products. Free or not I'll most likely play Capsized.

Well, I don't have a problem with him making a profit off of it, but I do think that the software should still value user freedoms. You're right, it is his choice, and not mine, but I'm just trying to persuade him. I still think he should market it and sell it for some money. That's not possible, I even wrote an article on how to do that, http://meoblast001.mysticgalaxies.com/philosophy/freedomware/freebusiness.html. DRM and other forms of spying on the user can be done without you knowing it, unless you can get the source. And if you want to adapt a program to a specific task (even with a game), how are you going to do that without the source. It is my goal to minimize the development of proprietary software in the world, so I obviously don't want Capsized to be proprietary. Take a look at that link, it might change your perception.[/url]