This is a very insightful read on Games and Copyright Laws; Modding and the threats of becoming a modder.
"... even within the gaming industry, there is a tension between IP holders and fan producers/poachers. Some companies, such as Epic and Square Enix, remain incredibly protective of their Intellectual Property, threatening those that use their creations, even for non-profit, cultural reasons, with legal suits. Other companies, like Valve, seem to, if not embrace, at least tolerate, and perhaps even tacitly encourage this kind of fan engagement with their work. Lessig suggests, 'The opportunity to create and transform becomes weakened in a world in which creation requires permission and creativity must check with a lawyer.' Indeed, the more developers and publishers that take up Valve's position, the more creativity and innovation will emerge out of video game fan communities, already known for their intense fandom and desire to add to, alter, and re-imagine their favorite gaming universes."
(Clix Meh!)
thanks for posting this, was an interesting read
Those companies that look upon modding and map-making negatively obviously don't see the potential of those they want to prosecute. If those companies would take a step back they could see that these illegal modifications are exactly the kind of imagination and creativity that the company itself needs! These modders and map-makers should be looked upon as potential employees, not "poachers". The message shouldn't be "Stop gamers, you might have a lawsuit if you proceed", it should be "Proceed gamers; create, add, alter... Make our game into more, prove to us that our game inspires you and encourages you to make it better, or worse, or what our fans want."
Maybe one day companies will worry less about profit and more about fans.
{MC}[SS] cash
Cash: Maybe one day companies will worry less about profit and more about fans.
I doubt that day will come any time soon >.> all we can do as scripters/modders/programmers is wait for a revelation in the world of business and monay.