Creative Assembly....missing a trick?

[Torres84]

Take EB as an example. How many here are putting off purchasing M2:TW until EB2 is out? I know I am...?

I agree, never liked too much M2TW but I'm definitely buying it when EB2 comes out

[Julianus]

Anyone played the wonderful tactical role-playing game Jagged Alliance 2?
When its developer, Sir-Tech if I remember correct, went bankrupt, they did a last generous contribution to its community -- they published all the source code of this game. Henceforth there are several opensource projects worked on them by community members all these years. I have played one of them which is called JA2 1.13, it's really great because the modders, oh they should not be called mere modders now, rather all-powerful developers since they have access to all source code, they can change the very framework, the engine, the AI of the game, and everything else as they wish. I always dream the same would be true for RTW someday, no more "hardcoded"...
Well, since it is clear that CA's games will undoubtedly be less and less mod-friendly, I won't give any of them even a try any way, it might as well just go bankrupt right now and leave us the code.

[Starforge]

It was Sir Tech and JA2 is still installed on my comp.

For the developer types out there: It seems (from my hardware / project management background) that making your game engine moddable would be the correct way to implement a design especially if you intend to make more of the same type. Short of the usual (project ran in paths other than anticipated, people quit, life happens), why wouldn't you structure your programs in a way that would be easier to make changes which in many ways is would facilitate modding?

For the lawyer types out there: How much does it weaken the value of your Intellectual Property rights if you make a game very mod friendly (but not release source code?) If CA, for example, wanted to sell off it's Total War division, I'm assuming that if the community could already mod the game(s) in whatever manner they wished, they would make much less money from the sale.

Mostly, businesses are in business to make money. Even Valve - which recently released a full playable multiplayer game (Alien Swarm) for free did so (to my cynical mindset) as a good marketing plan to get people onto Steam (which it requires.) Win / Win for everyone and especially the bottom line.

[Skullheadhq]

Did someone ask CA for the source code once? And what was their response?

[Duguntz]

Well, as Skullheadhq stated, I'm pretty sure that no one even asked and most people here only presume they would "most probably say no"...

[Olaf The Great]

Cracks and keygens are already all over the place, there's probably like 10,000 of them just for Barbarian Invasion.

CA will never do this, and will probably continue to make their games more and more mod unfriendly. I swear, it seems to get worse with every game.

[Duguntz]

Cracks and keygens are already all over the place, there's probably like 10,000 of them just for Barbarian Invasion.

CA will never do this, and will probably continue to make there games more and more mod unfriendly. I swear, it seems to get worse with every game.

Not agree... Look at Shogun : total war. very few mod have been made when compared to rome...

[Skullheadhq]

Everytime someone will bring up the subject, everyone says: "Nah, CA will never do it". With this attitude we'll never get it, lets just ASK CA, what could go wrong except that we don't get it, there is nothing to lose!

[Ludens]

Did someone ask CA for the source code once? And what was their response?

For M:TW, yes. I don't think the petition got enough votes to impress the SEGA execs, anyway.

[Skullheadhq]

So, anyone interested in compiling a letter to CA with me?

[Duguntz]

So, anyone interested in compiling a letter to CA with me?

I am no modder at all, but for the sake of those who can mod, I'm with you!

[Skullheadhq]

Ok, that's 2. What should we include in our request?

[Duguntz]

Well, the request would most probably to release the hard-code of the game, and we could convince them of the adventage it would have for both parties (them and us) them by selling probably more games due top the possibility to mod them better (example, many people want to buy M2TW just for the sake of EB2) and for us it gives us many more modding possibilities. So it is a win - win situation. the letter shouldn't be sent only to CA but to SEGA as well as they own a big part of CA. Of corse, that is not enough, if we could receive more help from interested players on what to write, ideas, all are welcome.

Guys, it's for all of you that Skullheadhq and me are willing to do this, so it's be nice to receive support, ideas, tips or suggestion on what could be wrote on that letter...

[Rahwana]

Oh yeah, I support that too, it would be nice if we ask them to open all the hard codings in RTW (which now allready very old), or better, relase their source code for free....

[Arthur, king of the Britons]

I support this. I'll try and come up with some more ideas on this latter.

[Skullheadhq]

We need arguments and lots of them. Not only how we could profit but also how CA could profit and we should give arguments to minimise CA's risks.
Should we start a new thread?

[Rahwana]

we could always argue that great games such as half life, making a big deal on online comptititve multiplayer game by letting Counter Strike. Perhaps we could do the same if CA let RTW become open...

[Hannibal Khan the Great]

I'm in full support of anything that stands for modding. Count me in.

[Skullheadhq]

Please continue discussions about the letter here: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showt...he-source-code

[vartan]

What happened to the realists on these forums? (Just playing for those who threw their SOH in the bin.) Good luck pals.

[Duguntz]

SOH?

[vartan]

SOH?

My bad. Sense Of Humour.

[Ibrahim]

What happened to the realists on these forums? (Just playing for those who threw their SOH in the bin.) Good luck pals.

dey'z in ur bankz, inflating ur kurensee

welcome back I guess; any news?

[Starforge]

What happened to the realists on these forums? (Just playing for those who threw their SOH in the bin.) Good luck pals.

Hehe, ok in regards to the letter:

Have fun storming the castle!

Does that help? :)

[vartan]

dey'z in ur bankz, inflating ur kurensee

welcome back I guess; any news?

Yeah. Nothing one wouldn't expect. Net access is prolific in London (mind you, I haven't been there in over 5 years and never plan on going back, last place I want to go to). Access sure ain't as prolific up north and I don't even think landline is in the dictionary up here (at least they don't pay for incoming calls on the mobile). Well the only news us two would share would be regarding the project we can't properly discuss openly. I'll get you in PM sooner or later and we'll kick this into gear as soon as humanly possible.

[Ibrahim]

Yeah. Nothing one wouldn't expect. Net access is prolific in London (mind you, I haven't been there in over 5 years and never plan on going back, last place I want to go to). Access sure ain't as prolific up north and I don't even think landline is in the dictionary up here (at least they don't pay for incoming calls on the mobile). Well the only news us two would share would be regarding the project we can't properly discuss openly. I'll get you in PM sooner or later and we'll kick this into gear as soon as humanly possible.

ah, I see.

well, I'll get this kicked off actually: you'll like the news I bring.