Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Valve Hands Over Its Own Movie-Making Tools To Gamers

Posted by Soulskill on from the movies-about-hats dept.

cylonlover writes "Valve has gained a reputation over the years not just for consistently putting out great games, but also for the slick trailers and promo videos that go along with them. But now the developer is turning the tables and handing over its own video-making tools to fans free of charge. With the Source Filmmaker, gamers will be able to direct, animate, and record their own videos as if they were shooting on location inside a video game."

12 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. trailer by Krau+Ming · · Score: 2

    someone make a trailer for half life 3 then. i can't wait any longer.

  2. Valve oh how I love you by Dyinobal · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Seriously I hate sounding like a fan boy but I can't think of many companies that would do this when they could likely sell this as DLC or something else for cash. I 3 Valve.

    1. Re:Valve oh how I love you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      They're not opensourcing, they're just making it free to use.

    2. Re:Valve oh how I love you by increment1 · · Score: 4, Informative

      The tool is not open source, and it is not entirely free of restrictions either (cannot commercialize created videos if they include any Valve assets). This is not a jab at the tool though, it appears to be a wonderful tool from what is a generally wonderful company.

      Although it would be nice if Valve would allow their assets to be used in commercial videos (say you wanted to make a cutscene for an indie game), but it is understandable for them to restrict this. You can still use the tool to make such a scene, it would just have to only use your own assets.

    3. Re:Valve oh how I love you by TarMil · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If it's only if they include any Valve assets, then the restriction has nothing to do with the tool, it's just that the assets are copyrighted.

    4. Re:Valve oh how I love you by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      b) Easy. Steam won't change anything because they present themselves as a "subscriber" based system in all their legal agreements. Notice how the agreement has always been called the "Steam Subscriber Agreement". Valve aren't stupid, how do you think they get away with disabling Steam accounts and the VAC Ban system? Thats right, you subscribed to it and they just chose to terminate your "subscription". "But but, I'm paying to own the games aren't I?" I hear you say, well no, you're not. You're just paying a once off subscription fee, to allow access to that product on your account.

      Oh by the way, Valve don't have a legal presence in Europe either (Unlike Microsoft, Blizzard etc) so they don't have to comply in the first place. Valve is only incorporated on US soil, only has a legal presence on US soil, and all sales occur on servers on US soil, they just alter the pricing depending on region.

  3. Re:inaccurate title by Guspaz · · Score: 2

    Are those people not gamers? If they're gamers, the title is still accurate.

    It's just a slowly ramping up beta, that's all. Everybody will get it eventually.

  4. No matter what the tool by YrWrstNtmr · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Be it 35mm + live actors, digital, silent B&W, IMAX, or this game engine...you still need a good story teller to make a good movie or short.

    Let's hope some good story tellers jump on this and make some good stuff.

    1. Re:No matter what the tool by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      It helps when the medium doesn't get in the way of creativity though.

  5. Re:So what? by jmerlin · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Pointing out that Valve perpetuates a legally questionable business model (actually illegal in California) that most Slashdot readers find obnoxious and obscene, not to mention draconian (DRM + no first-sale doctrine rights) is not "flamebait." Further, mentioning a negative fact about Valve in a discussion about Valve's "good deeds" is quite on topic, contrary to the poor moderation present here. Moderation without liability begets abuse in all cases. Moderators who incorrectly moderate posts like we've seen here should be banned from ever moderating again on /.. It's pretty clear why this site is in the gutter.

  6. Re:DEAR POOFTERS AND RED COATS by halivar · · Score: 3, Informative

    Mass-produced American beer (or "NASCAR beer" as I like to call it) is made with a lot of artificial ingredients. Prior to prohibition, American beer was highly rated, especially cream ales, which were its specialty. All of that beer know-how was lost to ages, and is only now beginning to resurface. I, myself, absolutely hated beer until I discovered microbrews. When I learned that beer can have a bouquet no less complex and interesting as wine, I became a big fan.

  7. Re:So what? by jmerlin · · Score: 2

    Yet they still call it a "game purchase" not a "very limited game subscription license." We need legal clarification specifically that services that offer "subscription based acquisition and licensing" for services/products that do not themselves require a fee-based subscription actually constitutes a sale under copyright law. IIRC, we've had rulings recently that are starting to head in that direction, but we need a big one here that invalidates the legality of Steam's "no refunds, no trading, no sales, just you giving your money to us forever" system. Otherwise, we should all simply purchase games and add them to steam as a game manager rather than as a store. I can't actually believe this model is still legal. The EFF must not be targeting Valve at all.