Can I legally put this unit up for download?

Jaguar · October 19, 2003, 17:48

I'm making this unit for personal use, but I would like to put it up for download as well. The unit consists of five gallic swordsmen. If I put it up for download here, then modified PTW/Conquests artwork will be accessible to people who have not bought either expansion pack, which could be copyright infringement. Should I distribute the unit or not?

If I can, I will make multifigure units of the rest of the PTW units.

Nubclear · October 19, 2003, 18:31

Civ3 sucks.

Spiffor · October 19, 2003, 18:46

CivFanatics would strictly forbid this. I have started to work long ago on a unit that mixes Vanilla's explorer with PTW's Ghandi (shirt) and PTW's guerilla (head). The result is completely different from the PTW units, yet I'm not sure if I'd be allowed to put it for download...

In your case, pretty much anybody can extract the graphics and use the Gallic Swordsman in his Civ3 game without having to pay for PTW or for Gold Edition. In this case, it seems pretty blatant to me that it wouldn't be allowed for download

Spiffor · October 19, 2003, 18:47

And Civ3 rules.

Only the stupid and the reactionary can't understand this

FrustratedPoet · October 19, 2003, 19:12

Quote:

CivFanatics would strictly forbid this.

I doubt that. I've downloaded lots of multi-unit modded graphics just like JW's from CFC before. They've got a whole forum full of stuff like this.

vovan · October 19, 2003, 19:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Spiffor
And Civ3 rules.

vovan · October 19, 2003, 19:34

Quote:

Originally posted by FrustratedPoet
I doubt that. I've downloaded lots of multi-unit modded graphics just like JW's from CFC before. They've got a whole forum full of stuff like this.

But aren't all of those units from the plain Civ3, not any of the PtW stuff?

Method · October 19, 2003, 20:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar
Civ3 sucks.

Spiffor · October 19, 2003, 20:54

Quote:

Originally posted by vovansim
But aren't all of those units from the plain Civ3, not any of the PtW stuff?

Yes, that's the big difference.

If people design original units, or modify units already existing in Vanilla Civ, it's more power for Vanilla Civ (because you need the game to put these graphics to any use). OTOH, if you include PTW content, someone can still ue it without having to own PTW, and it reduces the incentive to get the expansion.

Jaguar · October 19, 2003, 22:38

There's a Multi-unit at CFC with the Joan of Arc king unit (from PTW) and two pikemen.

alva · October 20, 2003, 02:27

Since they include PTW freely in the C3C pack, I doubt they will contact their lawyers to press charges on this

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One thing though Jag, I use some the multiple units but I must say, I don't think it's 'works' for every units, it's great for airplaines but less so for other units IMO.
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Oh, and can we stop these "civ3 sucks" posts please

Panag · October 20, 2003, 07:39

hi ,

*WOW*

nice unit JW

, as for copy right , well they gave the editor with the game , so there should be no problem , ......

have a nice day

Jaguar · October 20, 2003, 19:22

I doubt that Poly would be sued if I put it up, but I'd like to hear an official OK from the Admin or Ming.

St Leo · October 20, 2003, 20:36

This is idiotic. For one thing, we don't worry about people who don't own ToT or CiC or whatever using the appropriate conversions in the Civ2 section. For another, holy egg of Cthulhu!

mrmitchell · October 20, 2003, 23:00

Quote:

If I put it up for download here, then modified PTW/Conquests artwork will be accessible to people who have not bought either expansion pack, which could be copyright infringement.

By that logic, we shouldn't talk about the game at all since anyone with programming experience can read about it and write a game similar to Civ3. In fact, nor should we hum music because a pirater might play it by ear, and put it up for download on the internet. We shouldn't discuss books because people will get knowledge of them without having paid the authors!

Your thinking will surely cause the collapse of society. I sincerely fear this kind of thing.

Spiffor · October 21, 2003, 07:48

Mrmitchell:
Not quite. You don't have to redraw the whole units, but merely to export them with FLICster, isolate one of the Gallic Swordsmen, and import it back with FLICster. That's hardly the reverse engineering you're describing.

alva · October 21, 2003, 11:43

To be honest, to me this is one of those, hmmm, I'm not sure, I'll better not ask and just do it.

Better to be sorrow (sp?) then safe

St Leo · October 23, 2003, 20:10

It's easier to apologise afterwards than to ask permission in the first place.

centrifuge · October 23, 2003, 23:43

I don't think this is such a big deal,

...what about civ3 to ctp2 unit conversion for example, nobody has ever made a fuss about that.

Rasbelin · October 24, 2003, 03:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Comrade Tassadar
Civ3 sucks.

Amen, comrade.

ixnay · October 24, 2003, 03:51

Besides, if you put up the unit are all the Civilopedia/icons/sound effects that are associated with the said PTW unit included? Or would someone trying to hobble together their own PTW version have to get those from elsewhere?

In any case I think the threat that posting this one unit has to the pocketbooks of Firaxis is negligible.

DrSpike · October 24, 2003, 05:22

Agreed. Seems pretty harmless...............most of the smarter companies support modders, because they can increase the longevity of their games.

duke o' york · October 24, 2003, 08:10

Seeing your units in their vanilla Civ 3 may even convince people who have not already done so to go out and buy the expansions so they'll get the full benefits of PTW, etc. They look great and won't have any effect on Civ 3 if used in the vanilla game. It's not as if you've bundled massive rule changes or any of the finetuning of the game that PTW etc introduced. It's just a unit.

Can the "Civ 3 is utterly great/****" +1 ers please stop it.

Immortal Wombat · October 24, 2003, 20:11

Quote:

Originally posted by duke o' york
Can the "Civ 3 is utterly great/****" +1 ers please stop it.

I agree. Annoying

Spiffor · October 24, 2003, 21:39

I thought the community forum was the one area where Civ3 lovers and bashes could meet and throw mud at each other? Is it not?

But anyways, a word from the mods about JW's units would be welcome. The CFC policy I mentioned earlier was completely understandable when PtW was just out, but it has now a near-nil use.

Rasbelin · October 25, 2003, 05:04

Quote:

Originally posted by duke o' york
Can the "Civ 3 is utterly great/****" +1 ers please stop it.

Nope, n00b.

Alex · October 26, 2003, 10:05

Put it up for download, JW. Relax.

Oh, and civ3 sucks. But it is good too.

Wernazuma III · November 2, 2003, 09:15

Quote:

Originally posted by DrSpike
Agreed. Seems pretty harmless...............most of the smarter companies support modders, because they can increase the longevity of their games.

But FIRAXIS is no smarter company, sadly. I'm sure, if they figure out, they come with their thugs and beat the crap out of JW.

FrustratedPoet · November 2, 2003, 09:18

It would be ATARI who did it anyway.

Skanky Burns · November 2, 2003, 09:52

Infogreed as they were nicknamed at the time. Sadly, I can't remember their actual name. I'm sure it will come back if/when I regain soberness.