Because with the GPL, it may be free as in cost, but if you make any changes you have to re-release them as per terms of the agreement. That contribution of code tends to be much more valuable than money... The BSD is "truely" free in that it has pretty much no requirements on the reuse of the code except for name recognition.
Why should the original author be the only one to complain about it. Sure, he's got a much larger precidence over the users...but all of us are getting neglected major code contributions that could have helped the community instead of one person or company's pocket book.
How about ODE? You see tons of commericial/proprietary projects based off it, but you don't see very much development work on it there on the site do you? This may not be the best example, but it's the first one I thought of... I guess another good example would be how much code have you seen Microsoft contribute back to BSD even though they use some of their network components?..or so I've heard...
I've seen a bunch of projects that chose to go with the BSD style licence and it's bit them in the ass. People are using their code left and right, but hardly anyone is contributing back since they don't have to. Eric S. Raymond argued recently that we don't need the GPL anymore because OS is a better model, but the problem is human nature... As long as there are human beings involved, there's going to be people taking advantage of you...it's pessemistic, sure...but it true. The GPL is the only reason most projects, including Linux have come as far as they have. Is the GPL too strict? Maybe....but BSD is clearly too loose.
I would also suggest using OPAL (based off ODE) if you ever need physics. SDL will handle pretty much everything else. There are also some pretty nice pre-built engines like Ogre and Crystal Space. There are alot of 2D ones...
Whatever you code in, make sure it's multiplatform. C/C++ is good because you can compile it on just about any OS/machine and it's fast. Python's also pretty nice, but it's not quite as fast as C. For a simple card game or something it should be fine though.
That might be a problem for a pure P2P network, or maybe even the new "trackerless" version of bittorrent. But a standard torrent has an actual central server where the file originates from.
If there's not a "seed" with traditional methods you won't be able to download it either... The originator of the file will have to seed all their files of course...that's just common sense.
You haven't heard the endless complaints from World of Warcraft players? I know lots of people who won't touch any bit torrents because of the horrible experience they've had with Blizzards hacked up version of BitTorrent.
I can see the other guys POV too though. I've seen a lot of people abuse BitTorrent and not give very much bandwidth for the initial seed so it can be slow in that situation...but still, it's not BitTorrent's fault.
I dont' see why anyone would use a download service that's not bittorrent anymore. Users benefit from faster downloads and content providers have to pay for less bandwidth. It's a win win situation (unless you break it like Blizzard).
You're kind of right...but not completely. Yes, most people who own an Xbox and a PS2 go for the Xbox version if it's multiplatform. Unfortunately, there's still alot of games that are PS2 exclusive. MS might be making great strides here in America but it's only doing moderately well in Europe and HORRIBLY in Japan. I'd go as far to say that MS views the Xbox as a failure, and that's why their so eager to jump ahead into the next generation.
I too believe MS has put the Xbox360 in a very competitive position. They'll be the first out the gate, and unlike Sega before them...actually have the money to over market/advertise Sony. From what we've seen of the PS3 and Xbox360 so far they look to be on fairly equal footing. PS3 might have a little more graphical horsepower, but it's starting to look like the 360's triple core processor might allow for better gameplay and physics than the much overhyped Cell. The fact that the first couple sweeps of the Xbox will only be available with a harddrive will ensure a large enough base, so that developers actually care as where the PS3 will probably not be as fortunate. I think Sony was way too cocky last gen, and they gave MS the chance to gain some serious ground on them...if they keep up their ways of the past they may very well find MS getting a larger portion of the pie this go round.
As for Nintendo, they're always a wild card...there's a chance they could suprise everyone and take first place this next generation. It's not likely...but you never know. Being that the Revolution will probably come out at least $100 less than the 360 (and I guess $200 less than the PS3?) they can aim for a different audience than MS and Sony will be battling for...so I don't even bother comparing them with the other two usually...
If you program your game with DirectX you're excluding a large portion of the indy market. Linux and Mac users are much more willing to play indy games because of the lack of support from mainstream developers.
Wow...yet another slashdot article coming daysss after all the other game sites mentioned it. With the time it takes to get things posted, and the very small amount of them...I'm starting to wonder why Slashdot even bothers having a game section. </rant>
You may test, but apparently you've never developed for a console. Sending alpha and beta development kits is pretty standard and people have been doing it for years without much problem.
Now, some developers may not fully take advantage of the final hardware because of the lack of time spent with it before launch, but it's pretty common for the first gen titles to suck anyway:P
I'm just glad to see Game Tunnel getting mentioned on Slashdot at all. It's wonderful to finally see a game site devoted to indy games. Though I doubt it'll make the front page:(
Your last comment is the most important. Mainstream/Popular games are getting very old and stale as far as gameplay goes these days. Small/Independent developers are the only place that real innovation still occurs (much like the music and film industries). Sure there are alot of bad games in the indy scene, but that's just a statistical probability there.
Trying to decifer your opinion though...Are you complaining that indy games tend to have more bugs? If so, it's pretty obvious why. Game testers cost money, and most of these people dont' have much. There are even independent testing companies now that many of the big guys will outsource to, but I doubt any of these small/indy studios can afford it. Still, for the difference in budget these guys usually do a damn good job if you look at how much money went into it.
Or maybe you're just complaining about a lack of online multiplayer in indy games? Well, that's probably because the net code is one of the hardest parts to write for a game. And unfortunately there aren't many good free/open-source toolkits to work with for it either. Network code is the one major thing SDL is missing that DirectX has...but once again, when you're working on a shoestring budget, how are you supposed to afford that?
It's a very small independent game site asshole. And these developers don't have the cash to pay off sites to review their games....otherwise you'd see them plastered all over IGN and Gamespot.
Slashdot Mirror
Because with the GPL, it may be free as in cost, but if you make any changes you have to re-release them as per terms of the agreement. That contribution of code tends to be much more valuable than money... The BSD is "truely" free in that it has pretty much no requirements on the reuse of the code except for name recognition.
Why should the original author be the only one to complain about it. Sure, he's got a much larger precidence over the users...but all of us are getting neglected major code contributions that could have helped the community instead of one person or company's pocket book.
How about ODE? You see tons of commericial/proprietary projects based off it, but you don't see very much development work on it there on the site do you? This may not be the best example, but it's the first one I thought of... I guess another good example would be how much code have you seen Microsoft contribute back to BSD even though they use some of their network components? ..or so I've heard...
I've seen a bunch of projects that chose to go with the BSD style licence and it's bit them in the ass. People are using their code left and right, but hardly anyone is contributing back since they don't have to. Eric S. Raymond argued recently that we don't need the GPL anymore because OS is a better model, but the problem is human nature... As long as there are human beings involved, there's going to be people taking advantage of you...it's pessemistic, sure...but it true. The GPL is the only reason most projects, including Linux have come as far as they have. Is the GPL too strict? Maybe....but BSD is clearly too loose.
I would also suggest using OPAL (based off ODE) if you ever need physics. SDL will handle pretty much everything else. There are also some pretty nice pre-built engines like Ogre and Crystal Space. There are alot of 2D ones... Whatever you code in, make sure it's multiplatform. C/C++ is good because you can compile it on just about any OS/machine and it's fast. Python's also pretty nice, but it's not quite as fast as C. For a simple card game or something it should be fine though.
Didn't you ever hear the rule that once you have to explain a joke, it's no longer funny? ..heh...
That might be a problem for a pure P2P network, or maybe even the new "trackerless" version of bittorrent. But a standard torrent has an actual central server where the file originates from.
So you're complaining that he uses Bit Torrent for legal applications instead of "today's hottest movies and games"???
+5 Insightful ;)
If there's not a "seed" with traditional methods you won't be able to download it either... The originator of the file will have to seed all their files of course...that's just common sense.
You haven't heard the endless complaints from World of Warcraft players? I know lots of people who won't touch any bit torrents because of the horrible experience they've had with Blizzards hacked up version of BitTorrent.
I can see the other guys POV too though. I've seen a lot of people abuse BitTorrent and not give very much bandwidth for the initial seed so it can be slow in that situation...but still, it's not BitTorrent's fault.
I dont' see why anyone would use a download service that's not bittorrent anymore. Users benefit from faster downloads and content providers have to pay for less bandwidth. It's a win win situation (unless you break it like Blizzard).
Thanks for the info ;)
:P
Although, by that time the next generation will be coming out, and I'm sure Nintendo will support HD with that one
You're kind of right...but not completely. Yes, most people who own an Xbox and a PS2 go for the Xbox version if it's multiplatform. Unfortunately, there's still alot of games that are PS2 exclusive. MS might be making great strides here in America but it's only doing moderately well in Europe and HORRIBLY in Japan. I'd go as far to say that MS views the Xbox as a failure, and that's why their so eager to jump ahead into the next generation.
I too believe MS has put the Xbox360 in a very competitive position. They'll be the first out the gate, and unlike Sega before them...actually have the money to over market/advertise Sony. From what we've seen of the PS3 and Xbox360 so far they look to be on fairly equal footing. PS3 might have a little more graphical horsepower, but it's starting to look like the 360's triple core processor might allow for better gameplay and physics than the much overhyped Cell. The fact that the first couple sweeps of the Xbox will only be available with a harddrive will ensure a large enough base, so that developers actually care as where the PS3 will probably not be as fortunate. I think Sony was way too cocky last gen, and they gave MS the chance to gain some serious ground on them...if they keep up their ways of the past they may very well find MS getting a larger portion of the pie this go round.
As for Nintendo, they're always a wild card...there's a chance they could suprise everyone and take first place this next generation. It's not likely...but you never know. Being that the Revolution will probably come out at least $100 less than the 360 (and I guess $200 less than the PS3?) they can aim for a different audience than MS and Sony will be battling for...so I don't even bother comparing them with the other two usually...
The regular subscription is $4.99 a month on regular one-ply, and the premium subscription is $9.99 on quilted two-ply ;)
They don't have flash menu's and obnoxious ads all over the place, so I'd say their layout is a far sight better than IGN and Gamespot's ;)
If you program your game with DirectX you're excluding a large portion of the indy market. Linux and Mac users are much more willing to play indy games because of the lack of support from mainstream developers.
A new precedent??? Ha! 1984 here we come...
Modifying hardware that you bought is not illegal, nor is selling it. Including a harddrive full of ROMs however, is...
Wow...yet another slashdot article coming daysss after all the other game sites mentioned it. With the time it takes to get things posted, and the very small amount of them...I'm starting to wonder why Slashdot even bothers having a game section.
</rant>
You may test, but apparently you've never developed for a console. Sending alpha and beta development kits is pretty standard and people have been doing it for years without much problem.
:P
Now, some developers may not fully take advantage of the final hardware because of the lack of time spent with it before launch, but it's pretty common for the first gen titles to suck anyway
I'm just glad to see Game Tunnel getting mentioned on Slashdot at all. It's wonderful to finally see a game site devoted to indy games. Though I doubt it'll make the front page :(
Your last comment is the most important. Mainstream/Popular games are getting very old and stale as far as gameplay goes these days. Small/Independent developers are the only place that real innovation still occurs (much like the music and film industries). Sure there are alot of bad games in the indy scene, but that's just a statistical probability there.
Trying to decifer your opinion though...Are you complaining that indy games tend to have more bugs? If so, it's pretty obvious why. Game testers cost money, and most of these people dont' have much. There are even independent testing companies now that many of the big guys will outsource to, but I doubt any of these small/indy studios can afford it. Still, for the difference in budget these guys usually do a damn good job if you look at how much money went into it.
Or maybe you're just complaining about a lack of online multiplayer in indy games? Well, that's probably because the net code is one of the hardest parts to write for a game. And unfortunately there aren't many good free/open-source toolkits to work with for it either. Network code is the one major thing SDL is missing that DirectX has...but once again, when you're working on a shoestring budget, how are you supposed to afford that?
It's a very small independent game site asshole. And these developers don't have the cash to pay off sites to review their games....otherwise you'd see them plastered all over IGN and Gamespot.