Dark Metal - TTLG Forums

ZylonBane on 31/5/2006 at 20:50

Quote Posted by New Horizon

I don't have a problem with it really. We get to try some updated content. As long as the process works, I'll be happy.

I have a legit copy of TG so this would be fine for me too. I'm just annoyed in a general sense at the idea of someone being so paranoid that they hatch such an elaborate, yet totally ineffective, content protection scheme.

It'll probably require some kind of inane helper app running in the background too, like T2X did. If this ever comes out, you can bet the first thing I'll do is make a normal, non-encrypted-bullcrap version for my own use.

Komag on 31/5/2006 at 20:54

did you do that for T2X then? How? I'm interested :cool:

ZylonBane on 31/5/2006 at 21:01

It was pretty simple really. Just started up T2X the normal way, then tabbed back to Windows and duplicated the entire TMA install directory. I think I might have also edited the config file to point back to the base install so I didn't need two copies of all the CRFs.

Rob Hicks on 1/6/2006 at 06:39

Quote Posted by ZylonBane

I'm not paranoid - just not a thief. The only way I'm prepared to distribute modified versions of T1G is to provide a nominal form of protection. Yes, some taffer could download a hacked version of T1G to get the key files, but presumably such a git would already have done that anyway.

There is a helper app, but I wouldn't call it inane. It simply allows you to switch between 'normal' mode and Dark Metal mode. What did you find so annoying about the T2X app? Was it difficult to use or something?

Rob

Vigil on 1/6/2006 at 06:59

It was a pain in the ass, and would regularly fail to clean up after itself and hence get confused about what state the game was meant to be in: resulting in FMs loading up in T2X and T2X itself refusing to load until the strings directory was re-deleted.

As long as your helper app is an on-off toggle that you run when you want to switch modes, and not a launcher for the Thief executables, then I don't see that there's a problem.

Rob Hicks on 1/6/2006 at 08:29

It is a simple on-off toggle.
Rob

OrbWeaver on 1/6/2006 at 12:36

Quote Posted by Rob Hicks

I'm not paranoid - just not a thief. The only way I'm prepared to distribute modified versions of T1G is to provide a nominal form of protection.

Legally, it doesn't CYA one bit. You are still infringing copyright whether or not you apply encryption schemes (just like those old MP3 websites that said "You must own the originals and delete after 24 hours").

The encryption might be interpreted as a gesture of good will towards Eidos, which might reduce their inclination to sue if they were planning to do this, but it's not guaranteed.

ZylonBane on 1/6/2006 at 14:02

Quote Posted by Rob Hicks

Yes, some taffer could download a hacked version of T1G to get the key files, but presumably such a git would already have done that anyway.

Okay.... then please explain exactly who your protection scheme is supposed to be effective against.

New Horizon on 1/6/2006 at 17:02

Quote Posted by ZylonBane

Okay.... then please explain exactly who your protection scheme is supposed to be effective against.

I think it's more a gesture of good faith towards Eidos really. It shows that he is at least trying. It's Rob's decision and he has put the work into it. It's up to him how to distribute it in whatever way he feels is least likely to cause any legal issues.

ZylonBane on 1/6/2006 at 17:22

Meh. The way least likely to cause any legal issues would be to just release it without making a big fuss over of it. Just don't label it, "Possibly Copyright-Infringing Remake Of Original Thief Levels", and any theoretical Eidos suit won't be able to tell it from any of the hundreds of other FMs.

Heck, over on the SS2 side, modified versions of the OMs are tossed around like candy and nobody blinks an eye.