Could FFH ever be distributed by Firaxis?

[Kolath]

I know Firaxis is apparently releasing their own fantasy mod with BTS, but what do you think are the odds that Firaxis might highlight or distribute exemplary community-made mods? Perhaps in a patch or on their website?

 

[Kael]

I know Firaxis is apparently releasing their own fantasy mod with BTS, but what do you think are the odds that Firaxis might highlight or distribute exemplary community-made mods? Perhaps in a patch or on their website?

There is a lot of copywrighted material in FfH. Probably make it difficult to distribute in countries with a competant legal system.

 

[GeeJo]

Well, the leaderheads could be replaced by Frenchman's fantasy set. With some work cc-by/cc-by-sa/cc-by-nd music samples could be found to replace the clips used in the mod. After removing the title-screen art, that'd just leave unit sounds and spell icons, I think.

*IF* someone thought it worthwhile (and I personally don't think it is) it could be done by someone crazy/dedicated enough to see it through. A lot of work though, and the end product would be missing a goodly amount of the flavour that makes the mod what it is. Definitely not something Kael & co should be worrying about .

 

[attackdrone]

Civilization II: Conflicts in Civilization included eight fan-created mods for the game as well as the twelve created by Microprose. Therefore a precedent does exist.

 

[[NWO]_Valis]

The biggest issue would be the graphics. The team used some 3D models from other games [the Hyborem model i.e.] That would be the hardest to replace. Miusic would be easier.

Also there is another issue. Kael said it is after a D&D game he made up. The story is his but the world might not be. I do not think that there are lots of resemblances to D&D but who knows? D&D has lots and lots of 'forged' world expansions and it might collide with one of them to much.

 

[Shadowsong0]

D&D has lots and lots of 'forged' world expansions and it might collide with one of them to much.

I jobbed as a part-time DM for TSR (Wizards later on) in Germany and i guesss it is pretty safe to say that the setting ain't the problem.

The static graphics would be a minor issue, changing the color-scheme for the copied buttons from Guild-wars and getting permission for some of the less obvious arts is possible. But all of the graphics copied from book-covers will have to go.

The biggest issue will be the 3D-meshes & animations. Even if changed a little (less polys, slight deformations) they will still be a copyright-infringment. Gaming companies seem to be pretty paranoid when it comes to their models.

Bethesda Softworks was threatened with legal issues just because there was a mod linked on their morrowind official forum, that used an altered mesh from NWN; a red dragon to be specific.

So it is pretty obvious there will never be a promotion of FfH2 from Firaxis side. At least not for a FfH2, that we would recognize atm.

Gaming companies are always happy to copy or reuse ideas, mechanics or scripts from user-made modifications, even if they are released under GPL, but if you touch the models they scream for their lawyers like a banshee in birth-pain.

 

[Kolath]

Ah, very good points. I forgot about all the assorted IP the mod uses.

 

[C.Roland]

I'm sure, with a lot of work, we can remove all the things that are copyrighted, but the mod still need a lot of work so why would we spent out time on this ??? I think it will be better for everyone if we create new models for the units that doesn't have one instead of redoing an already made unit (and good looking) taken from an other game nah ?

 

[MagisterCultuum]

Why not leave the copyright-infringement evasion work for Fireaxis to do? (or let them try to get permission)

 

[onedreamer]

Fully agree with C. Roland. The mod won't even be finished with the next epansion. IMO, all Firaxis has to do is install a link to Mods forums with Beyond the Sword. The rest will be done by players...