Proposal to Firaxis

warpstorm - if you treat EULA so seriously, then all units made with free 3d models from posergamers or renderosity (30-40 popular units made by at least 4 creators) are illegal, because the models are mostly "free for non-commercial use". similiar with cossacks conversions, even though they were allowed by cossacks publishers. such units can't be placed on a CD, but according to Civ3 EULA, they shouldn't be done at all, and many of us should go to jail, right?
 
This has a 10% chance at Firaxis in my opinion, if that.

The legal issues have to be staggering at best, and would probably cost in upwards of $20,000 just to research it.

The idea of paying modders is definitelty not going to happen.
I can just imagine the accounting nightmare.

However, I would love it if my mod could be released on a cd, allthough I am not sure how well it (the cd with a variety of mods) would sell, which makes it quite the gamble for Firaxis as well.

Don't kill the messenger please....... the only reason we can make units from other games or poser models and not be trampled by lawyers is it is questionable at best if the motives are not for profit, however, once profit is thrown in the mix......
 
Embryodead, you don't understand...

There will be no unit, graphic or text in these MODs that is not created either Firaxis, or a creator involved in this project, or in the pack of over 100 completely new units that will be created by TETurkhan's team. Thus, no resource whatsoever that was used by these MODs before will be used if it's not "on board". There will be no free stuff from the internet on there, only new stuff.

And it is legal, even if published separately from Conquests. The EULA says that Firaxis owns all BIC and BIX files. Firaxis does not own FLC animations (as this is not one of Firaxis' inventions, but a normal filetype), and the very same applies to PCX and (obviously) TXT files.

I honestly don't hope that the CD will be separate. The best and probably only successful solution for both, content creators and users, would be the combined release. But in case there will be a separation, all BIC and BIX content will be available for free from the internet, but the TXT, PCX and FLC files would require the CD. This is perfectly legal.

Oh, and obviously no AoE units will be used - doh...
 
@embryodead:
When Atari (and all other gaming companies) put such a clause in their EULA (the one about copyright infringement) they do it solely to prevent themselves from being sued by the copyright holders. If Microsoft contacted Atari, the latter could simply point to that clause and refuse to have condoned it in any way.

I'm sure that Atari won't go after anyone modding the game, unless they see something that is a potential legal or business hazard. But it's necessary for them to make sure they're covered in case it becomes the only option they can see available.

I think you're missing Warpstorm's point. I believe I know for a fact that he does not consider the EULA to be the greatest thing in the world. But his, or our opinion alone, won't make it disappear. You would have to go through a lengthy trial (probably with a lawyer more expensive than what game companies can afford) to even stand a chance of making it disappear. When it comes right down to it, not many of us are willing to do that for a mod... after all. :)
 
Originally posted by thamis
Embryodead, you don't understand...

There will be no unit, graphic or text in these MODs that is not created either Firaxis, or a creator involved in this project, or in the pack of over 100 completely new units that will be created by TETurkhan's team. Thus, no resource whatsoever that was used by these MODs before will be used if it's not "on board". There will be no free stuff from the internet on there, only new stuff.

And it is legal, even if published separately from Conquests. The EULA says that Firaxis owns all BIC and BIX files. Firaxis does not own FLC animations (as this is not one of Firaxis' inventions, but a normal filetype), and the very same applies to PCX and (obviously) TXT files.
Click to expand...

I'm afraid you didn't understand :p
because you posted all the same things already written... The EULA discussion was not about the BotN release, which I know that won't contain old or copyrighted stuff, but about general legal issues that raised after warpstorm's comment (and wasn't too serious too, I really don't expect going to jail ;) )

For me, a player/creator/hopefully a modder, there will be just too many problems - what's free and what's not, who can use what and who can't, does a mod need one of three expansions, or two of them, or all three, will some mods lose some of the copyrighted content etc., and how many versions of say, DyP there will be? four? :confused: (BotN and free ver. for PTW, C3Q and C3Q+PTW).
 
I know for a fact that some of the mods in PTW were gutted by Infogrames after the disks were sent out for mastering due to the fact that they suspected copyright infringement (without telling the creators). That's why a few didn't work on the disk. Anything done for BotN would need to be carefully scrubbed so that this doesn't happen again. It was a travesty.

BTW, Isak and NeOmega are right, I don't take the EULAs seriously when there is no money involved. If there's money involved Atari's lawyers can and will treat it as if it is a legally binding document, so care has to be taken. Like I said earlier, it is worth reading to see what you are bound to.

FWIW, I've never asked for a dime for my modding (and I doubt Firaxis would pay my going rate to let me mod for a living, although that would be a sweet deal).
 
Even if Firaxis disagrees. You MOD'ers should get together and put out your own CD. You might make some cash. I guess you may need Firaxis' approval though.

Well, be sure to consider Spiderzord's Powerbar. That is a great trainer.
 
Check out This Thread.

Nothing against Spiderzord, he has a good application there, but I'm not exactly sure that falls in line with what Tet's doing. Of course, others may feel otherwise.
 
I just noticed this thread. I am working on a couple of new maps, I can send them to you when they are done if you are interested. Also I could do accurate and playtested maps to your specs. I have put a lot of time into making my maps work as games rather than just as accurate maps and I think I am developing a knack for it.
 
I'm willing to contribute my ACW scenario to the project if this goes through well with Firaxis.
 
Count me in as well, I'm more than willing to test anything, bounce ideas around, and all. My various thoughts:

Naval movement needs to be adjusted. A task force can sail from Virginia to the Gulf in two weeks, or about 5% of a year long turn.

Air should go back to how it was in Civ 1 and 2, with planes being able to look for "targets of opportunity" Also, the ability to differentiate between carrier based and land based aircraft (which can be done now with creative editing work)

Elite Units that spwan a leader should have an extra HP, showing their prowess in battle, and UU's perhaps should have the extra HP as well to make them tougher to deal with.

The Improvements are great, but perhaps add a naval base, allowinbg fleet operations and movement along the lines of airports for ground units.

Also on the naval front... perhaps a "Great Admiral" able to make a Fleet, which would work similar to an Army

Thats it for now... more will come to mind I'm sure
 
I don't think Tet is proposing actually changing the game itself as that is not within modders' power. This is just a proposal to add a CD to Conquests with new Modded materials.
 
Thank you for the update, tet. I am hopeful that this will work out. :)
 
Originally posted by TETurkhan
I have received a response and negotiations are underway. I am hopeful that a deal will be finalized soon – and will keep everyone posted.
Click to expand...

If you received an E-mail from them, then something will happen. :)
 
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