Microsoft Releases MechCommander 2 Source Code

SpectreHiro writes "In a shocking move, Microsoft has open sourced... err, 'shared the source' of MechCommander 2. From the site, 'This is the Shared Source release for MechCommander 2. This release contains all of the source code an source assets required to build MechCommander 2. This release can be used with the Microsoft XNA Build March 2006 CTP.'

Comments

Not really shocking

[reanjr]

Don't know how this is that shocking, MS has been releasing shared source all over the place, including Allegiance, a multiplayer opline space real time strategy/shooter.

Re:license?

[dedazo]

The "shared source" concept encompasses more than one license. You can read about that here.

As for this specific release, who knows. I doubt it's going to be GPL'ed but I don't think it wil be too restrictive, unless they've gone totally berzerk and want to prevent you from "developing a comepting product" with the source or some such nonesense... though I wouldn't put it past them at all.

A lot of these releases by Microsoft (with a few exceptions like WiX or WTL) are really just meant to be useful talking points when certain arguments come up.

Shared source

[Anonymous Coward]

The code is under Microsoft's Shared Source license, which has been accurately described as "just a fancy name for an NDA". You can read the source code. You cannot do anything with it.

The code is being distributed for the purpose of serving as sample code for XBox 360 developers. For that purpose, it is great, and a smart move on Microsoft's part. For any other purpose, the source code may as well not exist.

Re:license?

[TekGoNos]

Shared Source is at least 3 different licences :

Microsoft Permissive License (Ms-PL) like BSD
Microsoft Community License (Ms-CL) kind of like LGPL or MPL : you must relicence files that contain Ms-CL code as Ms-CL, but can use them in any way you want.
Microsoft Reference License (Ms-RL) - you may only look at it

And I hve no clue which of these apply for this game. I even downloaded the ReadMe.rtf (rtf? from Microsoft?), but it only says that you need directx from feb 2006 to compile the "MC2 Viewer". (And I won't download 1GB to maybe find out what licence it is ...)

EULA text

[jarom]

Shared Source Limited Permissive License for use of MechCommander® 2 This license governs use of the accompanying software. If you use the software, you accept this license. If you do not accept the license, do not use the software. 1. Definitions The terms "reproduce," "reproduction" and "distribution" have the same meaning here as under U.S. copyright law. "You" means the licensee of the software. "Licensed patents" means any Microsoft patent claims which read directly on the software as distributed by Microsoft under this license. 2. Grant of Rights (A) Copyright Grant- Subject to the terms of this license, including the license conditions and limitations in section 3, Microsoft grants you a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free copyright license to reproduce the software, prepare derivative works of the software and distribute the software or any derivative works that you create. (B) Patent Grant- Subject to the terms of this license, including the license conditions and limitations in section 3, Microsoft grants you a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free patent license under licensed patents to make, have made, use, practice, sell, and offer for sale, and/or otherwise dispose of the software or derivative works of the software. 3. Conditions and Limitations (A) Limitation on Commercial Distribution- Notwithstanding the rights granted in section 2(A) above, you are not granted any rights to commercially distribute any artwork from the software ("Art Assets") in any derivative work or otherwise. Microsoft grants you a limited, non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free copyright license to use, reproduce and distribute the Art Assets on a non-commercial basis only. (B) No Trademark License- This license does not grant you any rights to use Microsoft's name, logo, or trademarks. (C) If you begin patent litigation against Microsoft over patents that you think may apply to the software (including a cross-claim or counterclaim in a lawsuit), your license to the software ends automatically. (D) If you distribute copies of the software or derivative works, you must retain all copyright, patent, trademark, and attribution notices that are present in the software. (E) If you distribute the software or derivative works in source code form you may do so only under this license (i.e., you must include a complete copy of this license with your distribution), and if you distribute the software or derivative works in compiled or object code form you may only do so under a license that complies with this license. (F) The software is licensed "as-is." You bear the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws which this license cannot change. To the extent permitted under your local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.

Re:but what is it?

[MMaestro]

Just think of it as an EXTREMELY tactical RTS game (think Ground Control, if you've played it). You get no bases, but you get off the screen support fire (such as artillery and air strikes). Theres no resource gathering, but other than scripted events theres no reinforcements during missions. Since you often times (read: always) go up against superior forces, TACTICS are extremely important (aiming for the weaker, rear armor, using flame weapons against energy and thus prone to overheating enemies, aiming for the legs to decrease mobility and then just bypass/pick off from the distance, etc etc).

Even the forementioned artillery and air strikes took thinking to use. Artillery was fairly inaccurate and air strikes could be shot down if you tried simply trying to air strike an enemy target objective to death. You could get vehicles but they weren't customizable so that made things even harder to plan. You got aircraft but those were pitifully armored compared to the Mechs.

And to top it all off, the Mechs themselves had weight, heat and power limitations. You COULD give a Light Mech one of the biggest weapons in the game, but then it'd be so heavy it could be equiped with anything else. You COULD strip a Mech of its heatsinks in exchange for more weapons, but then it'd overheat in a matters of seconds in combat. You COULD arm a Mech with tons of lasers but then it'd only have enough energy for one volley before overheating and shutting down.

Oh and don't confuse this with MechWarrior (a game where YOU were the pilot.) YOU don't have direct control of the units, the AI pilot statistics played a major role. And I bolded pilots because they COULD be killed, which of course would spelled disaster if you suddenly found yourself on the last mission with no one but rookies to pilot your Mechs.