UberDeux
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I have to agree with w0dk4, most modders with sufficient capabilities are already taken by their own projects for the most part. You’ll have a hard time finding people who can actually contribute in a meaningful way.
If you manage to get the source code, the number of capable coders dwindles further.
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It appears I wasn’t clear in my initial post. UberLancer isn’t a mod anymore. It’s not intended to compete with any other mod and there will not be a server. The idea is to organize into an entity that is capable of negotiating with Microsoft and securing the code for the community. Once we’re able to pry it from Microsoft’s hands we can offer it as freeware with our own fixes (repoint the global server links) and the community will be reborn.
Once we (as a community, go look at Uber’s structure) are in possession, we can rewrite it into everything we’ve dreamed. We CAN make a FL2.
Freelancer is what, 7 years old? A couple of years ago this wouldn’t even have been conceivable. Now, Microsoft has all but abandoned the game. There is only one thing in the way of us doing what we need to do with it: copyright. All we have to do is what Roo said, which is organize. We have to create an entity that can actually talk to MS on a high level. Sending an email or a petition isn’t going to cut it. We need a team to be able to sit and reach an agreement.
It may never happen, but at least we can say we tried. There’s nothing in this project that can be seen as divisive. We don’t need modders. We need executives.
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Best of luck with the endeavour.
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Whilst I hope your plan works, I’d love to see people like LS get their hands on the FL source code, I don’t think Microsoft will release it because they used programs without giving credit within freelancer, and I assume they don’t want to have law suits filed against them, at least that’s what I’ve been told. I personally do not know :).
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That could be a problem for sure if there is any truth to it. Another problem is going to be the talent that was involved with the creation of the game. From producers, programmers, voice talent, etc., we have no idea what how the compensation was structured. Are there any royalty or syndication clauses? Distribution stakes?
I’ve thought long and hard about this and the more I learn, the greater the challenge seems. This is going to be hugely difficult to pull off, harder even than the original idea of just creating a v2 mod. It’s going to take a focused and organized attempt, and even then the chance for success is probably not too good.
But what have we got to lose?
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Our biggest issue is that the rights to FL are scattered to hell. Digital Anvil has been disbanded, Microsoft holds most of the rights but many original developers have left the company. Even if they wanted to give the source away, getting it in any proper shape could prove difficult.
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alternatively we could try and get the freelancer 2 engine off them, although this will require some serious work to get into a working form, it will have already addressed some of your key goals eg. better graphics. But this may help with the legal side of it seeing as it was produced totally under Microsoft’s rule
Ozed.
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oZed wrote:
alternatively we could try and get the freelancer 2 engine off them, although this will require some serious work to get into a working form, it will have already addressed some of your key goals eg. better graphics. But this may help with the legal side of it seeing as it was produced totally under Microsoft’s ruleOzed.
In case you missed this, it was cancelled. Not only that, it was for the XBOX so more than useless in every department. FL2 had very basic stuff in it, was an arcade game, and personally i’m glad it was cancelled as i’d want something for the pc that wasn’t designed with a console player in mind.
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I agree. From what I saw it was mainly a console RPG, just one of many out there if you ask me.
This also makes the code useless for UL, hence they’re trying to get the code for the original FL… although FL2 DOES have some pretty cool stuff that would have been awesome on the PC… sigh.
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You can say that ! From what I saw on youtube it looks ……eyecandy
Anyway, c’mon ppl, go apply for Uberlancer. You’re doing it for the entire community
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well that depends… on many factors… MS may or may not go with it… If not then the idea reserves respect for giving it a good go… as a corp other than a modder asking “please mr microsoft… i want some more” it has a chance…
Either way… i don’t see the point in trashing the idea… there’s enough BS flying around as it is… About time we all started getting along in this community and backing each others ideas…Or were all doomed to failure on some level, be it morally… or digitally
They have my support… i’ve been on there a few days… the ideas are solid. when i feel a bit better (not well atm, or happy…) I’ll be posting a few myself over there.
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Despite all facts and my experience with Microsoft Game Studios over the past 10 years I wish you the best of luck.
We already had 2 projects with the word “uber” in the name, both times hyped, both times praised to high heaven, both times questioned in public by myself (out of experience) and both times failed. Probably 3 is the lucky number (in one or another way), I dont know.
What I know for sure is that saying “Hey I want to create a new FL project and I have the FL engine” is easier and more productive than saying “Hey I have an idea for a project, all we need is to get the FL engine”. Probably it is best to get the working material before you search for ppl to work with it? Just an idea. Maybe Im wrong and 3 is really a lucky number. -
Yes, have to agree with many here, wish you the best of luck but i can’t see it happening. I’m not trying to be the harbinger of doom here either, i really do wish you the best with getting the source but i very much doubt anything will happen.
I’ve seen and heard all this a lot over the last few years, bit like the rich dude who came on here a while back saying he was going to finance an FL movie… still waiting on that btw
M$ are not ones for releasing source code, not to say they haven’t done it before but i think just out of spite, they want this one dead and buried and are hoping we’ll all just go away. We are tolerated simply because the community still brings in the odd new player who actually buys a copy of FL, therefore making M$ some cash.
We are tolerated because what we do is for free and as i pointed out in a thread on here somewhere, M$ don’t mind us modifying FL to our hearts content as long as it’s non-profit. They’ve stated that on record.
As to the source, more chance of winning the lottery.
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Sledge, my views (and mine only, I’m entitled to them under British Law and Constitution, so don’t flame me or I will snort out smoke and fire and brimstone in response!!)…
First…
We don’t need the source. A lot of stuff has been worked out, and what’s missing? Dynamic economy? Comments welcome from those working on that.Second…
I think the development of FL has come so far ONLY because it was such a challenge to do.Third…
When you try to compose a larger organisation it becomes much more difficult to get a direction, there is more resistance until you realise you must become a dictatorship to get things driven and done - and then it fails because of revolters!Fourth…
Smaller groups are more successful in making a mod, three to four is good. When more come into it there is more confusion and less clear view of objectives, and more delay. I made ours alone, it was a struggle let me tell you, but I can’t (and probably will refuse to) work with more than 2 others even if I have the chance.Fifth…
Good luck with your ideas, but if you succeed I also fear once you do then you or your successors will want to control that source as much as MS does today. No good to the community.Sixth…
My beard is longer than yours I think. Well it’s definitely greyer than I would like it, anyway! That probably acounts for my grumpiness and scepticism and cynicism and other scissorisms… or lack thereof, probably accounting for the length and greyness aforementioned. Anyhow…End of Offensive Views!
Viva FL!
Viva Torres!
Viva El Revolucion!
Viva Havana Cigarros!
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**Dynamic economy for Hook, hmm, would like to see that and add manufacturing to it….
As far as the FL source goes, good luck, MS used alot of stuff available for non-commercial use which they did not pay for, for example something Im working on, SUR files. The sur stuff is based off of QHull which is freely available for non-commercial purposes, FL has it built into the code, do a text search for hull. You will even see stuff for delaney triangulation.
Also, the Havok stuff, the licensing for free use is outrageous… That alone will cost you a fortune.
If you get it though, count me in, I will do some upgrades most definately.**
