19 replies to this topic

[jaded8bit]

I just wanted to ask why 8BitMMO's client isn't Free Software.

 

Because 8-Bit MMO is a gratis ($0) game, and relies on in-game-purchases, there is no downside to releasing the source-code to the users. Everything is handled by the server, so what would the harm be? There would be no harm.

Free Software is software that respects the user and developer's four basic freedoms:
Freedom 0: To run or not run the program.
Freedom 1: To redistribute the program; to be a good neighobr
Freedom 2: To modify the program; to have your computing done how you want to- the freedom to improve
Freedom 3: To distribute your improved version so others can enjoy bugfixes, new features, etc.

 

Non-Free software restricts the user- it can function maliciously, but the user would never know, because the user cannot study what the program does. Non-Free Software- most of the time- contains malicious features, such as digital handcuffs, spyware, etc.

Well, every program should be Free Software. The users wouldn't be restricted, the client could improve very much, new developers could learn from 8-BitMMO code, bug-fixes would be more steady, it would support more platforms, etc, etc.

 

If 8-BitMMO was to become Free-Software, it could be uploaded to any GNU/Linux distribution's repositories (100s of new platforms right there...), GNOME Software Center, Ubuntu Software Center, and the door would be open to bring it to new devices, such as the Raspberry Pi. With 8BitMMO being available on so many platforms, there would be more players, and more chances for someone to buy Platinum via the in-game-purchases.

 

--Overall Perks--
-Rob and Co. would make more money from IAPs, as 8-BitMMO would be available on many more platforms
-Less weight on Rob and Co's shoulders, as some client-side bugs could be sorted out by contributers
-Users wouldn't be restricted, which makes users happy, which makes them more likely to give a copy to a friend and play again, meaning more players, meaning more possible profit

This is a proper ethical, monetary, and qualitative choice- the only question is, why NOT make 8BitMMO Free Software?

[Xerp]

I am not making a useless post i sware..... Am I really reading this nonsense?

 

I like playing 8BitMMO in my browser, but I just wanted to ask why 8BitMMO's client isn't Free Software.

[Zooty]

because free software is for hippies, see richard stallman
sim isn't fat and hairy enough to be a hippy and therefore 8bitmmo is not free software

 
 

There would be no harm.

If the game was FOSS it would be so much easier to create an army of bots to play the game for you.
Even right now I don't think it would be that difficult to use a library like ASM to manipulate it and make a bot.

[Sharky]

because free software is for hippies, see richard stallman
sim isn't fat and hairy enough to be a hippy and therefore 8bitmmo is not free software
 
 

If the game was FOSS it would be so much easier to create an army of bots to play the game for you.
Even right now I don't think it would be that difficult to use a library like ASM to manipulate it and make a bot.

But you know from your botting experience

[Zooty]

But you know from your botting experience

b-b-b-but it was only runescape

[jaded8bit]

If the game was FOSS it would be so much easier to create an army of bots to play the game for you.

It also isn't an easy feat to develop a bot- yes, it's possible, but not very likely. I don't mean to insult 8BitMMO or anything, but more popular Free Software games still lack bots for cheating, although they've been free for years.

Besides, the way 8BitMMO is played is entirely hosted on the server- anything can happen on the client, which sends the input to the server to comprehend- every keystroke is comprehended by the server, and if a valid keystroke, effects gameplay. Because of this, there are a million ways to cheat.

I make a keystroke program to fake a certain amount of keystrokes.

I could use a Raspberry Pi to press keys on my keyboard.

I could drop a brick on my keyboard.

What I'm saying is that cheating will happen, has happened, and is probably already happening right now. Just because there's a very slight chance someone could cheat using the source code and do the same thing they can already easily do now is no reason to not release the source with all the other already present cheating alternatives, which people would use because they're easier.

[Zooty]

popular Free Software games still lack bots for cheating, although they've been free for years.

 

I don't see any FOSS MMORPGs

 

[jaded8bit]

I don't see any FOSS MMORPGs

 

Don't use FOSS as a search term. It doesn't work. Use 'Free Software' or 'Open-Source' to get results.

-Ryzom

-PlaneShift

-Iris2

-The Mana World

 

Those are a few FS MMOs I selected at random. I couldn't find any cheating bots, but maybe you'll have better luck.

(I meant FS multiplayer games in general, hence my quote saying "popular Free Software games", and not "MMORPGS")

[Zooty]

Don't use FOSS as a search term. It doesn't work. Use 'Free Software' or 'Open-Source' to get results.

-Ryzom

-PlaneShift

-Iris2

-The Mana World

 

Those are a few FS MMOs I selected at random. I couldn't find any cheating bots, but maybe you'll have better luck.

(I meant FS multiplayer games in general, hence my quote saying "popular Free Software games", and not "MMORPGS")

 

I found a lot more games when I search for "free and open source mmorpg games"

[Meep]

Zooty is our tech support. Zooty will win all arguments.

[Zooty]

I am not making a useless post i sware..... Am I really reading this nonsense?

 

Free software isn't about the cost.

https://www.gnu.org/...hy/free-sw.html

[ALinkToTheFuture]

My favourite part was when he said "Rob & Co". I may not know what's going on, but I feel fairly certain it's still just "Rob"

[jaded8bit]

As always....

(do mods count?)

Yea. (At least I think so. I actually wrote this post a couple of months ago, and just got to posting it. I don't remember my thought process for that line, but I think it  was including moderators.)

[Sharky]

Yea.

Just an excuse for you writing Rob & Co

[Sage]

My favourite part was when he said "Rob & Co". I may not know what's going on, but I feel fairly certain it's still just "Rob"

RobCo. Fallout anyone?

 

But regarding your proposal, as much as I like FOSS, I can see why sim9 wouldn't want to release the source code he's worked so many years on.

[jaded8bit]

That's a ridiculous reason to not liberate a piece of software.

[TheSapphireCoyoteKing]

^^^ Go home Homura. You're drunk. ^^^