Stryyder
Newbie
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2003
- Messages
- 413
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My Two Cents (About Stolen Source Code)
I am sure that every game developer out there is looking very hard at their internal security protocols.
I hope most of you understand that what has happened here is far worse than posting a crack version of a game on a warez sight. Basically all that does is allow a very small percentage of people to avoid purchasing the game, a percentage of these people may have never bought the game anyway so the true loss in revenue or profits is relatively palatable.
In this case we are looking at five years of work.... yes I know only a fraction of that was on the actual source engine but still think of the man hours, think how you would feel, think of what the effect will be on other developers. Will they now look at shorter development cycles and less community involvement when producing a title? I think this is probable.
More importantly look at what the potential loss revenue or expense to Valve on this will be. Right now I would doubt that any developer would licenese the source engine because as it stands now it is compromised. IF they do it would be probably not command the same fees. Valve could have easily collected 1M plus per license for Source, now sales will be at best delayed, as well as containing less profit. It also means less games for us on a good engine or less games sooner.
I am really hoping that the gaming community takes a stand on this, these hackers/cheaters/idiots have proven to us all now that they are far more than just an annoyance. They are a spiteful, selfish group of anti social bastards. I hope that even there own turn against them. (People like Joolz seem to have already)
These people need to be pursued, and held accountable for their actions, the individuals that engineered exploiting the exchange server and placing the client on Valve machines should be fully prosecuted and given jail time.
For all those misguided individuals that thought it would be cool to mirror, post, or distribute the contents of what was stolen should be at the very least given a record and sued by Valve. Yes I know you will claim you did nothing wrong, I know you will say you thought it was fake, I know, I know I know, just hope you don't live in a state where shared liability is in the law books.
I know they are laughing right now, but if we can actually stimulate law enforcement to pursue this they are cooked. This is not the cosa nostra we are dealing with these are young kids between 14 and 24 years old, that will shit their pants when someone with a badge shows up on their doorstep and someone will spill the beans, trust me. It is in their nature to brag and that will be their weak spot.
I hope all of you who have downloaded this content will do the noble thing and delete it, as well as urge others to do the same. I hope other developers will also take the high ground and ignore the content that is now out ther and rally around Valve to support what is good for their industry. Also I hope the community shows support to Valve so that they and other developers don't get the wrong message from this and they continue to keep us informed and in the loop when they are developing their games.
note title edited for clarity
I am sure that every game developer out there is looking very hard at their internal security protocols.
I hope most of you understand that what has happened here is far worse than posting a crack version of a game on a warez sight. Basically all that does is allow a very small percentage of people to avoid purchasing the game, a percentage of these people may have never bought the game anyway so the true loss in revenue or profits is relatively palatable.
In this case we are looking at five years of work.... yes I know only a fraction of that was on the actual source engine but still think of the man hours, think how you would feel, think of what the effect will be on other developers. Will they now look at shorter development cycles and less community involvement when producing a title? I think this is probable.
More importantly look at what the potential loss revenue or expense to Valve on this will be. Right now I would doubt that any developer would licenese the source engine because as it stands now it is compromised. IF they do it would be probably not command the same fees. Valve could have easily collected 1M plus per license for Source, now sales will be at best delayed, as well as containing less profit. It also means less games for us on a good engine or less games sooner.
I am really hoping that the gaming community takes a stand on this, these hackers/cheaters/idiots have proven to us all now that they are far more than just an annoyance. They are a spiteful, selfish group of anti social bastards. I hope that even there own turn against them. (People like Joolz seem to have already)
These people need to be pursued, and held accountable for their actions, the individuals that engineered exploiting the exchange server and placing the client on Valve machines should be fully prosecuted and given jail time.
For all those misguided individuals that thought it would be cool to mirror, post, or distribute the contents of what was stolen should be at the very least given a record and sued by Valve. Yes I know you will claim you did nothing wrong, I know you will say you thought it was fake, I know, I know I know, just hope you don't live in a state where shared liability is in the law books.
I know they are laughing right now, but if we can actually stimulate law enforcement to pursue this they are cooked. This is not the cosa nostra we are dealing with these are young kids between 14 and 24 years old, that will shit their pants when someone with a badge shows up on their doorstep and someone will spill the beans, trust me. It is in their nature to brag and that will be their weak spot.
I hope all of you who have downloaded this content will do the noble thing and delete it, as well as urge others to do the same. I hope other developers will also take the high ground and ignore the content that is now out ther and rally around Valve to support what is good for their industry. Also I hope the community shows support to Valve so that they and other developers don't get the wrong message from this and they continue to keep us informed and in the loop when they are developing their games.
note title edited for clarity
