Slashdot Mirror
Valve Releases Updated Alien Swarm For Free With Code Base
baronvoncarson tips news that today Valve released an updated version of Alien Swarm, a popular Unreal Tournament 2004 total conversion mod. The creators of the mod were hired by Valve, and they've helped turn it into a stand-alone game running on the Source engine. Valve is also releasing the code base for Alien Swarm and an SDK. The game is available for free on Steam.
If only the summary mentioned how they ported it to the source engine...
Strictly speaking it is DRM, but it's in a form that isn't about punishing the end user to make some high-rent manager with delusions of IP feel better.
Absolutely. I understand why certain people rag on Steam, it is DRM in the most literal sense. But it's DRM done right. It isn't engineered to be as obtrusive as possible. It does exactly what it's built to and compensates for it's shortcomings by providing a lot of free services as an incentive to use it. Couple that with it's excellent prices, and I don't see any reason to complain.
Furthermore, if there's any company that's going to make damn sure to unlock it's games if it goes under, it's Valve.
If you aren't angry, you aren't paying attention.
Yeah, poor Black Cat. They got offered and accepted a hiring from one of the most successful development houses in the world and then got paid to finish their free volunteer project and release it for free anyway. Life's a bitch.
If you aren't angry, you aren't paying attention.
Someone who's capable of discerning the topic at hand.
You must be a thrilling conversationalist.
"How are you doing?"
"Fine."
"Hey, have you seen that new movie?"
"Sorry, this isn't about movies. The topic at hand is about how I'm doing."
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.