Python/XML Scripting

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
If they wrote the entire game in python they'd have to open-source it, unless there's a compiled version.

It appears you have some misunderstandings of GPL.

[Kuciwalker]

I wasn't talking about the GPL. I was under the impression that there was not a compiled version of Python - it's a tad difficult to hide the source of something written in a SCRIPTING language.

[MarkG]

it could be encrypted.

[sophist]

It doesn't need to be encrypted, obfuscated, or whatever, because they're going to have to embed certain functions of the game engine in the DLL, and they're not going to release the source under a license that allows anyone to use it for any purpose. That means that some random person in the world could crib parts of the code for some pet project, but who cares about them? Other developers won't steal the code because they'll respect the license and it's Civ code, not code for whatever game they're writing.

[Kuciwalker]

You don't think certain parts of the game could could be very useful for other games, with possibly some modification?

[sophist]

Your condescension is aimed in the wrong direction. It's conceivable that some other developer might copy the code, but not likely. No developer would take that risk. There are easier, less risky, legitimate ways to use the code. Most, if not all of the code is stuff that could be readily reverse-engineered from the game anyway. The AI would not be, but it's also what's most specific to the game. And it's not like anyone's going to want to steal Civ4's Awesome Graphics Technology (gonna render like it's 1999). Even if some other developer did take the code, Firaxis should only care if it was a competitor, because they don't lose anything otherwise.

[Atahualpa]

Actually the graphics technology is licensed from gamebryo and from there it's totally impossible to have the code open.

Btw, gamebryo's engine was also used in Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, so don't talk like the engine wouldn't have potential.