April 21st, 2003 by Alkini
Introversion Software, developers of Uplink have announced plans to release a developer CD which will include, among other things,the source code to Uplink and related tools/libraries. This is not planned to be, by anymeans, Open Source or Free source; rather they will be charging for the license to access the code. This isn’t an entirely newidea, but it’s interesting to see a smaller operation opening their source on a smaller scale while the game is still,apparently, still a “commercial product”, as Introversion has put it. Introversion have listed their ideas so far on the licenseand cost and are looking for developer input. So, how much would you pay for this right? What do you think of the proposedlicense details?
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April 21st, 2003 at 4:03 pm
“This is planned to be, by any means, Open Source”
Should be, ‘This is NOT planned to be’?
April 21st, 2003 at 5:48 pm
I think it’s a neat idea, but I’m 100% sure some GPL-thumpers are going to bitch about the license.
April 22nd, 2003 at 10:04 am
The license
We are currently preparing the license for this source code. It’s important to us to maintain control over this release, but we also want people to be able to release the work they have done. We haven’t finished this, but it’s going to say something like
1. You may freely distribute “patches” to Uplink in binary form, compiled from the Uplink source code. These patches must require the original game to be installed in order to work.
2. You may not distribute any “stand-alone” binaries compiled from this code without Introversion’s permission.
3. You may not distribute any binaries on platforms other than Windows and Linux without Introversion’s permission.
4. You may not use the source code in any commercial way without Introversion’s permission.
5. You may not distribute the Uplink source code without Introversion’s permission.
We are very interested in hearing your opinions on this license. Please go to the forums and tell us what you think.
Basically, you’re screwed. Thanks for making us more money by making our game popular. Have a nice day.
April 22nd, 2003 at 1:54 pm
Too bad normal program companies doesn’t support this idea.
But what I really don’t understand, is why games aren’t released GPL, and the content copyrighted.
Uplink doesn’t have much content, maybe that is the reason.
April 24th, 2003 at 6:41 pm
Look, anything that kicks game development on Linux along is good. Don’t care what sort of license. GPL efforts for game development are great too, and suit a different niche, but there is room for everyone. Thanks for making the effort, and having some vision.