Intellectual property protection suddenly stops. What do software developers do?

[The Mad Viking]

I think we should differentiate between software used primarily for commercial purposes by mid-size and larger corporate customers, and the gaming business used by individuals.

Pirating is a much bigger issue for gaming, and I have yet to hear a convincing model that would permit the development of large, complex games without intelectual property protection.

[SpencerH]

Originally posted by JohnT
Yes, and all those games you played and didn't pay for don't get a mention, because... ?

I cant think of any I played and didnt pay for. There are a few I tried and tossed out though.

And hardware problems is a justification for stealing from Sid Meier, Firaxis, et al?

If I buy a car I test it first. If its a lemon I can take it back. If I buy a TV and it doesnt work I can take it back. If I purchase a licence to use software I cant always take it back even when it is faulty.

[lord of the mark]

Sandmans mention of America's Army is interesting. Its of course produced as a recruiting tool.

Now imagine Civ 4 as designed by the current US administration. It would become a propaganda tool. I suppose either another govt or an NGO would design a counter.

Interesting world, I suppose, but I think its good we have commercial products, designed for reasons other than to advance a political agenda.

Those of you who play games like GTA also might want to consider if a govt or NGO would ever make a game like that.

[Kuciwalker]

Sandmans mention of America's Army is interesting. Its of course produced as a recruiting tool.

And, as Asher pointed out, is 95% code developed by a private company.

[child of Thor]

@ Ozzy's Civ screenshot.

All ready the big devs are talking about using in game advertiseing to help with funding games. Its something that the cost of developing next gen console games has brought into focus.

So i think that screenshot isnt far from what we'll start to see more of.

I cant think of any other way to ensure the certain flow of income if IP in software was done away with?

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by The Mad Viking
Pirating is a much bigger issue for gaming, and I have yet to hear a convincing model that would permit the development of large, complex games without intelectual property protection.

GPL or similar licenses are based on copyright law.

[Kuciwalker]

But it hasn't produced very many large, complex games, so what's your point?

[Bosh]

Originally posted by The Mad Viking
Pirating is a much bigger issue for gaming, and I have yet to hear a convincing model that would permit the development of large, complex games without intelectual property protection.

Except for MMO games. There you don't really pay for the software, you pay for access to the servers and the patches. Private individuals really don't have the resources to host a MMO game. You're probably going to see more and more of these in the future, since they're far and away the most piracy-resistant games.

Now only if someone would make one that didn't suck...

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker
But it hasn't produced very many large, complex games, so what's your point?

"Large and complex" refers to gameplay, not to graphics and sound.

Star Control: The Ur-Quan Masters is a fairly large and complex game based on Star Control 2.

Just search around the Net to see a large number of complex games. Coming up with complex gameplay isn't a problem for geeks.

[Asher]

What point does it serve when you reference a project based on open sourced code developed by a private, commercial company years after the game was released?

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger
"Large and complex" refers to gameplay, not to graphics and sound.

No, it refers to everything...

Star Control: The Ur-Quan Masters is a fairly large and complex game based on Star Control 2.

Just search around the Net to see a large number of complex games. Coming up with complex gameplay isn't a problem for geeks.

That's great. Try and come up with games that most people want to play...

[Asher]

Or games that weren't designed and implmeneted years before they were GPLed.

[Saras]

SC2 is +eh r0x0rz!!1!!

[LDiCesare]

But it hasn't produced very many large, complex games, so what's your point?

NetHack.
Battel for Wesnoth.
Not many, but there are some.

The real question is: Does CD protection prevent piracy in the first place? Or, better said, does it increase income?
Many people who pirate the game would probably not have bought them anyway, so there is no income reduction there. Getting a no-CD crack is not that hard either, so twhat's the real effectiveness of the method? It does hinder customers, however, since some games can't run or get sudden slowdowns because of the check.
There should at least be an option to register a game through the web, as an alternative to having the CD. You allow only one computer to register a given serial number (that's a pain if you change comp, but that's not so much of a problem). If registered, you wouldn't need the CD.

[Kuciwalker]

NetHack.
Battel for Wesnoth.
Not many, but there are some.

Have a cookie. Many was an operating part of my statement, not just fluff.