Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Double Fine Adventure Will Be Available DRM Free For IOS, Android

Posted by timothy on from the wishing-for-an-open-source-sunset-clause dept.

New submitter Garth Smith writes "Tim Schafer has a video update for his crowdsourced project, Double Fine Adventure. Because of the nearly $2 million in funding, the budget is now large enough for language translations, voice acting, music, and more platforms. The XBox and PS3 are absent. I wonder what would the chances of a DRM-free release have been if funding had come from a traditional publisher?"

11 of 117 comments (clear)

  1. Re:IOS, Android and by i+kan+reed · · Score: 4, Informative

    Mac, Linux, and PC. With both Steam and DRM-free versions to be available for all-purpose platforms.

  2. Traditional Publisher by IamGarageGuy+2 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I would believe that this project would not be able to come from a traditional publisher on the basis that a "traditional publisher" nowadays feels that a game is not able to survive without DRM. Behold the brave new world of independant publishing ( am i showing my optimism there?)

    --
    Stay tuned for new sig...
    1. Re:Traditional Publisher by i+kan+reed · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Be optimistic. One of the "promises of the web" is coming true. We actually have democratization of a process that used to be limited by the wealthy. Just don't be irrational, and don't expect this to end the existing model which works just fine for what it is (able to produce highly marketed, general audience games).

    2. Re:Traditional Publisher by LordLucless · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The whole point of this sort of model is that nobody really needs to care about piracy. I blogged about it four years ago (and basically describe Kickstarter in that post) as a way for creative industry to adapt to a digital world. If everyone's paid (by backers) before production begins, then there's no complaining about lost income due to "piracy". I wonder if I can get a job as a futurist?

      --
      Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean there isn't an invisible demon about to eat your face
    3. Re:Traditional Publisher by SomePgmr · · Score: 4, Informative

      As it turns out, there's a current push to change this situation. It sounds like the illegal bit is soliciting investments in return for equity "from unaccredited investorsâ"defined as investors with less than $1 million in assetsâ"who are not friends or family."

      http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20120111/SMALLBIZ/120119980#

      It sounds like a great idea to me.

  3. Re:Both DRM free and DRM'ed versions. by Drinking+Bleach · · Score: 4, Informative

    Steam games don't necessarily have DRM -- not even the kind that Steam itself provides. See for example DOSBox games on it, Witcher 2, VVVVVV, and a few others that allow you to copy the game files and play without Steam, without the need to crack them.

  4. Re:shit commentary by pdboddy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hey, they'll lay off the shitty commentary if you'll lay of the shitty comments.

    --
    Julie Moult is an idiot.
  5. Re:Both DRM free and DRM'ed versions. by jandrese · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you've downloaded one of the DRM free games (like VVVVVV), you can run it directly from your Steamapps directory even if Steam does go down.

    --

    I read the internet for the articles.
  6. Re:What about investors? by s73v3r · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you bothered to check out the Kickstarter page, the "returns" start at getting a copy of the game. They even had a level of $10,000 donation which would get you lunch with Tim Schaffer. If you went to Double Fine's site, they had even higher levels than that. $15,000 would get you dinner with the dev team and Tim Schaffer. $20,000 would get you dinner and bowling.

  7. Re:Something seems to missing here. by Garth+Smith · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I *donated* to Double Fine because of Tim Schafer and Ron Gilbert's reputation for making great adventure games. I fully realize that new game developers would not have the same success on Kickstarter. There is a benefit to putting in the time and effort to build a reputation! I find that myself I have much more opportunities available to me now than I did at 18. I realize that is because others feel more comfortable gambling on me when I can show that gamble has paid off in the past.

    Also, Kickstarter is not for investing money. And even the best investments can fail horribly. At least Double Fine promises an interesting documentary out of it!

  8. Re:Its the least a begger could offer. by Garth+Smith · · Score: 3, Informative

    People who donate $15 or more will get a copy of the finished game. For all purposes it is a pre-order with the option of paying more if you want. He is perfectly open about his motives and his goals for the project. In fact, with the documentary being made about the development of the game, as it's being developed, you could say this is one of the most transparent development processes ever. Scam? Opposite! If you don't like the terms don't pay the $15+. No reason to start name calling.