Question About PC Mods Legality

Is it legal for a modder to remake HL2 using the Source engine and distribute it for free? Its shouldnt be too hard since all the models, maps, sounds are all there.

You would need a Source game to run the mod. Actually, Ive seen games that require specific Source games to see the textures. So maybe you need HL2 to see the HL2 models and textures. Someone correct me if Im wrong.

Yeah different games have different characters and models and maps. I guess it wouldnt work since the player would need those games to see those materials.

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

VanDammFan

What does that have to do with the topic?

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

hypoty

What does that have to do with the topic?

Obvious troll is obvious?

Is it legal for a modder to remake HL2 using the Source engine and distribute it for free? Its shouldnt be too hard since all the models, maps, sounds are all there.

erglesmergle

[QUOTE="hypoty"]

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

Ikuto_Tsukiyomi

What does that have to do with the topic?

Obvious troll is obvious?

We can only hope.

[QUOTE="majoras_wrath"]Wouldn't you basically just be making HL2 in the end? If you port over all the graphics, maps, sounds, to the source engine you aren't making anything original. That would be illegal, yes.IvanElk

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

[QUOTE="IvanElk"][QUOTE="majoras_wrath"]Wouldn't you basically just be making HL2 in the end? If you port over all the graphics, maps, sounds, to the source engine you aren't making anything original. That would be illegal, yes.erglesmergle

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

Is it legal for a modder to remake HL2 using the Source engine and distribute it for free? Its shouldnt be too hard since all the models, maps, sounds are all there.

erglesmergle

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="IvanElk"] Yeah that is just copyright infringement. Mods themselves are not illegal until they utilize material that is deemed not free ware.Ikuto_Tsukiyomi

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

[QUOTE="Ikuto_Tsukiyomi"]

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

SAGE_OF_FIRE

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

I thought so. It also says on there site you need a Source engine game to run it. Dissapoint though, I would of loved to of seen System Shock 2 on ID Tech 4. :(

[QUOTE="IvanElk"][QUOTE="majoras_wrath"]Wouldn't you basically just be making HL2 in the end? If you port over all the graphics, maps, sounds, to the source engine you aren't making anything original. That would be illegal, yes.erglesmergle

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

But why would somebody go to the effort of doing something so pointless? To play the mod you'll need Half-Life 2, so why not just play Half-Life 2? The closest thing to what you're talking about is the Cinematic mod, but that's not recreating Half-Life 2, it's just retexturing and remodelling it. I'm sure if someone was dead set on doing that then it'll be legal provided Valve is ok with it. They look at these things on a case-by-case basis.

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

VanDammFan

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

lawlessx

[QUOTE="lawlessx"][QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

Mystic-G

To be Honest, his logic is pretty flawed.

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]VanDammFan

Dude arent you supposed to be out trick or treating? Im been waiting for you to knock on my door for a while.

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="IvanElk"] Yeah that is just copyright infringement. Mods themselves are not illegal until they utilize material that is deemed not free ware.hypoty

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

But why would somebody go to the effort of doing something so pointless? To play the mod you'll need Half-Life 2, so why not just play Half-Life 2? The closest thing to what you're talking about is the Cinematic mod, but that's not recreating Half-Life 2, it's just retexturing and remodelling it. I'm sure if someone was dead set on doing that then it'll be legal provided Valve is ok with it. They look at these things on a case-by-case basis.

Well almost every HL2 mod Ive played only required a Source game. Some games required a specific HL2 like EP2. I was thinking of it like this. Gamer buys TF2 which is a Source game. Modder remakes HL2 using Source engine. Gamer downloads and plays HL2 remake without actually buying HL2. Legal piracy because modding is legal.

But I guess if what others users are saying is true then this wouldnt work. And also to see the textures and models of something from a game, you need to own that game.

[QUOTE="Ikuto_Tsukiyomi"]

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

SAGE_OF_FIRE

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

Do you know what the development team could have done so they wouldnt have needed Squares approval? What technically requires Squares permission? It sucks that such a nice mod was stopped.

[QUOTE="SAGE_OF_FIRE"]

[QUOTE="Ikuto_Tsukiyomi"]

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

erglesmergle

Do you know what the development team could have done so they wouldnt have needed Squares approval? What technically requires Squares permission? It sucks that such a nice mod was stopped.

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="SAGE_OF_FIRE"] The Black Mesa team was given permission by Valve. The port of Oblivion to Cryengine 2 and System Shock 2 to id tech 4 were both stopped by the devs. Also Square stopped THIS from being released when they were about to finish (you're mad now). Here's another trailer.

SAGE_OF_FIRE

Do you know what the development team could have done so they wouldnt have needed Squares approval? What technically requires Squares permission? It sucks that such a nice mod was stopped.

But why would they need Squares permission? The completely remade the game. Theyre not using any of the orignal models or textures. Was it the sounds? And doesnt fair use laws go into play here?

[QUOTE="SAGE_OF_FIRE"][QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

Do you know what the development team could have done so they wouldnt have needed Squares approval? What technically requires Squares permission? It sucks that such a nice mod was stopped.

erglesmergle

But why would they need Squares permission? The completely remade the game. Theyre not using any of the orignal models or textures. Was it the sounds? And doesnt fair use laws go into play here?

Because there is more to it then just models and textures? Firstly is artwork, story, plot line, level design, weapons, gameplay design..

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="SAGE_OF_FIRE"] Square has been know recently as a very greedy company, I wouldn't be surprised if Square never would allow permission. sSubZerOo

But why would they need Squares permission? The completely remade the game. Theyre not using any of the orignal models or textures. Was it the sounds? And doesnt fair use laws go into play here?

Because there is more to it then just models and textures? Firstly is artwork, story, plot line, level design, weapons, gameplay design..

Didnt know that. Ive never heard of publishers stopping a mod until today so I didnt think they were allowed to. And seeing mods like Black Mesa and Golden Eye Source which are complete remakes furthered that assumption.

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

But why would they need Squares permission? The completely remade the game. Theyre not using any of the orignal models or textures. Was it the sounds? And doesnt fair use laws go into play here?

erglesmergle

Because there is more to it then just models and textures? Firstly is artwork, story, plot line, level design, weapons, gameplay design..

Didnt know that. Ive never heard of publishers stopping a mod until today so I didnt think they were allowed to. And seeing mods like Black Mesa and Golden Eye Source which are complete remakes furthered that assumption.

A person is free to make a mod based on a copyright source material, until the copyright holder tells them to stop. Recently Gearbox (who owns the Duke Nukem copyright) allowed a Duke Nukem 3D remake to be developed by fans of the game using the UE3. It's a gamble when modders use source content that isn't their own, at that stage it's down to how greedy and community focused the copyright holder is.

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

Because there is more to it then just models and textures? Firstly is artwork, story, plot line, level design, weapons, gameplay design..

hypoty

Didnt know that. Ive never heard of publishers stopping a mod until today so I didnt think they were allowed to. And seeing mods like Black Mesa and Golden Eye Source which are complete remakes furthered that assumption.

A person is free to make a mod based on a copyright source material, until the copyright holder tells them to stop. Recently Gearbox (who owns the Duke Nukem copyright) allowed a Duke Nukem 3D remake to be developed by fans of the game using the UE3. It's a gamble when modders use source content that isn't their own, at that stage it's down to how greedy and community focused the copyright holder is.

"Alright ive talked to someone I know thats becoming a lawyer and he told me this is what you have to do to not become a legal issue.

You must not charge for such game. You cannot make a profit off of it.
You cannot claim the graphics, Sounds, Etc as your own. You must credit the original authors.
You may not commercialize such game."

http://www.rpgmakervx.net/index.php?showtopic=10685

Could it be that Square was making empty threats? I also thought that as long as you dont sell the game or claim the content as yours, then it would all be good.

Nvm, some user goes on to say its different with IP and explains how.

Its called Black Mesa source and it has Valves blessing ....ColdfireTrilogy

Its also been delayed more times than GT5. I remember it was set to release November of last year then it was delayed and everyone was hoping for a Christmas release. Another year has gone by.

Its called Black Mesa source and it has Valves blessing ....ColdfireTrilogy

You'd have to make your own resources if you're remaking a game i.e Black Mesa.

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

VanDammFan

Ironically this thread has nothing to do with "bragging" and the sad thing is I'm coming to expect this ignorance from you everytime you open your mouth.

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

VanDammFan

Ironically this thread has nothing to do with "bragging" and the sad thing is I'm coming to expect this ignorance from you everytime you open your mouth.

Ironically, pcfanboys that continually try and disrespect consoles as worthless outdated trash get on my nerves so any time I see a thread I feel I need to buttinto...I will. Regardless of me getting warnings and punished by the moderators.

PCs are great..YES we all know this. Its nothing new. BUT nothing about them makes my gaming experience better than any of my 18 "yes 18" consoles. I realize this is SW...nothing you or I say will change the fact this place is for nothing more than arguing...

You didn't even use the word ironically correctly. How is my post ironic?

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

VanDammFan

Ironically this thread has nothing to do with "bragging" and the sad thing is I'm coming to expect this ignorance from you everytime you open your mouth.

Ironically, pcfanboys that continually try and disrespect consoles as worthless outdated trash get on my nerves so any time I see a thread I feel I need to buttinto...I will. Regardless of me getting warnings and punished by the moderators.

PCs are great..YES we all know this. Its nothing new. BUT nothing about them makes my gaming experience better than any of my 18 "yes 18" consoles. I realize this is SW...nothing you or I say will change the fact this place is for nothing more than arguing...

I feel your pain. PC elitists should be curb stomped. Seriously. But dont go into random threads and derail them.

English your 1st language bro??:roll:

VanDammFan

Nope, Chinese is my first language and how is my first language even relevant to your misuse of ironically?

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="IvanElk"] Yeah that is just copyright infringement. Mods themselves are not illegal until they utilize material that is deemed not free ware.Ikuto_Tsukiyomi

Are you going by whats really illegal or what you think should be illegal? Theres a mod in the making called Black Mesa and its a remake of Half Life 1 using the Source engine. Valve hasnt done anything about it other than telling them not to use the name Half Life Source since HLS already exists.

So if thats possible, I dont think remaking a game on the same engine would be illegal.

You can get permission to use said game engine to make a game. Example would be E.Y.E which is a full fps-rpg using the source engine, other then that, I assume Black Mesa is a high end mod. Thats my view on it at least.

As a 3D engine provider, Valve is competing against Epic, Crytek and 'etc'. All 3D engine providers hopes that one of thier dev users comes up with a blockbuster.

[QUOTE="erglesmergle"]

[QUOTE="sSubZerOo"]

Because there is more to it then just models and textures? Firstly is artwork, story, plot line, level design, weapons, gameplay design..

hypoty

Didnt know that. Ive never heard of publishers stopping a mod until today so I didnt think they were allowed to. And seeing mods like Black Mesa and Golden Eye Source which are complete remakes furthered that assumption.

A person is free to make a mod based on a copyright source material, until the copyright holder tells them to stop. Recently Gearbox (who owns the Duke Nukem copyright) allowed a Duke Nukem 3D remake to be developed by fans of the game using the UE3. It's a gamble when modders use source content that isn't their own, at that stage it's down to how greedy and community focused the copyright holder is.

[QUOTE="Vesica_Prime"]

[QUOTE="VanDammFan"]

PCgamers have to have mods for their "bragging rights" and to keep their dying pcgames alive. Let them be....let them be...

Ironically this thread has nothing to do with "bragging" and the sad thing is I'm coming to expect this ignorance from you everytime you open your mouth.

Ironically, pcfanboys that continually try and disrespect consoles as worthless outdated trash get on my nerves so any time I see a thread I feel I need to buttinto...I will. Regardless of me getting warnings and punished by the moderators.

PCs are great..YES we all know this. Its nothing new. BUT nothing about them makes my gaming experience better than any of my 18 "yes 18" consoles. I realize this is SW...nothing you or I say will change the fact this place is for nothing more than arguing...

Ironically, pcfanboys that continually try and disrespect consoles as worthless outdated trash get on my nerves so any time I see a thread I feel I need to buttinto...I will. Regardless of me getting warnings and punished by the moderators.

VanDammFan

Perhaps you should take the hint already.

Is it legal for a modder to remake HL2 using the Source engine and distribute it for free? Its shouldnt be too hard since all the models, maps, sounds are all there.

erglesmergle

The short of it is this: A mod is completely legal if it is entirely made from original assets (textures, models, art, story, sound, etc).

If a mod contains licensed or copyrighted works (music from a label artist, characters from a Nintendo game, art from someone else, etc). In that case the mod creators must ask for permission from the copyright owners.

If a custom level is made to resemble a level from Mario and uses sound effects from the Mario games, they are supposed to ask Nintendo for permission to do so. Nintendo will likely deny any modder asking for such permission. That mod is then illegal as it contains copyright infringement. Many mod makers, however, don't care and create the levels/mods anyways because its unlikely that any legal action will be taken against them and its very difficult to prove damages.

Now if what your asking is if someone can take HL2 but port it over into TF2 (because they both use the same engine), then no. You'd have to ask valve for permission to do that as you're transferring their work elsewhere. Its the same case as creating a Mario version of a map/level into a different format. Its also very unlikely to work. though they share the same engine base, they have differing technologies for specific features.

I feel your pain. PC elitists should be curb stomped. Seriously. But dont go into random threads and derail them.

erglesmergle

Act tough.

Must be a charmer.

Ironically, pcfanboys that continually try and disrespect consoles as worthless outdated trash get on my nerves so any time I see a thread I feel I need to buttinto...I will. Regardless of me getting warnings and punished by the moderators.

PCs are great..YES we all know this. Its nothing new. BUT nothing about them makes my gaming experience better than any of my 18 "yes 18" consoles. I realize this is SW...nothing you or I say will change the fact this place is for nothing more than arguing...

VanDammFan

And I can play a majority of those consoles on my PC at higher resolutions with AA+AF and with a variety of controllers.

All this on one PC.

I just popped in my old Panzer Dragoon disk from 1997 and it works fine on windows 7.

Also tried out Sega Rally.

PC gaming rocks. A list of games from over 30 years plus all the old consoles even the Wii.

And I can use a PS3 controller, Xbox 360 controller, wii mote and many other peripherals.

Do you mean something along the lines of taking the SDK from say, a Portal release (even if they give the SDK with Portal standalone), and wasting hundreds of hours remaking all the HL2 content and releasing a mod, it would be illegal? Probably, but there is probably no way you can get the SDK without buying HL2 in some form.

Do you mean something along the lines of taking the SDK from say, a Portal release (even if they give the SDK with Portal standalone), and wasting hundreds of hours remaking all the HL2 content and releasing a mod, it would be illegal? Probably, but there is probably no way you can get the SDK without buying HL2 in some form.

foxhound_fox

I played Nightmare House 2 which was a half life 2 mod.

It was a complete story and required Half Life 2 episodes 2.

It also had custom textures, models and other stuff not from the half life 2 series.

Basically it did not resemble half life 2 at all except for a few weapons and the fps view.