An idea to address a range of issues concerning the client

[virtualhabitat]

First, I am not a person who writes code, or even fully understands what set of skills would be required to create and maintain a game such as this.

Having said so, I was thinking of the code from an open source/creative commons perspective. I would imagine that between Europe, North America, and Asia, there are more than enough smarts right here within the player base to tackle any number of issues regarding EC, CC, bugs, and other various and sundry mechanics within UO. As work on any given project progressed, the development team could provide general parameters and guidance depending on what their needs might be at the time. Projects would not go into production until the developers felt they were ready or appropriate. Developers, in theory could spend more time looking at the bigger picture instead of being bogged down by minutia.

Perhaps players could apply for some sort of limited license giving them permission to manipulate parts of the code. I don't know.

There would be no labor issues involved. It would be designed and constructed as a community project.

Again, I don't know exactly how to express this in the proper terms, but I would think that it has potential, in spite of any copyright hurdles.

Any thoughts? Perhaps someone with a little knowledge about how this could work?

 

[Woodsman]

EA + Volunteers + UO = Don't Mix

Also, there are a lot of people you wouldn't want getting anywhere near any UO code of any sorts - the scripters are able to do enough as it is with the tools they have.

You'd have to devote a lot of UO developer time to vetting the code, which takes away from time the developers could spend on actually developing code.

 

[Dermott of LS]

...

We already have that of a sort with the EC though UI modding. Using the XML/LUA model, players can tweak the UI as they see fit and the efforts of the modders (Illandril, Pinco, Ash, Lucitus, Decors, Zym Dragon, B-Lau, Nalif, myself, Fink and others) over the past few years have made quite an improvement to the areas that we can access.

However I'm not so certain that we should have complete access simply because as was stated by one of UO's original devs when it first came out (Raph I believe) "The client is in the hands of the enemy... never forget that".

 

[virtualhabitat]

EA + Volunteers + UO = Don't Mix

Also, there are a lot of people you wouldn't want getting anywhere near any UO code of any sorts - the scripters are able to do enough as it is with the tools they have.

You'd have to devote a lot of UO developer time to vetting the code, which takes away from time the developers could spend on actually developing code.

Woodsman, I am aware of the volunteer lawsuit EA had to deal with in the past. The licensing I am talking about has no relation to a traditional volunteer relationship.

Actually, those persons who currently engage in surreptitiously accessing the code are exactly the type of people we could benefit from. They are experienced in recognizing weakness in the code and exploiting those weaknesses to their advantage. Why not recruit them to to actually improve the game, rather than keeping their creative talents suppressed?

I realize this might not appeal to someone with a heightened sense of justice, but it seems such a waste of talent.

I believe there are legal tools available to harness this talent.


I am also not suggesting the code be given to just anyone. Persons interested in working on the project would apply for a type of limited license.
The license would obligate a specific individual with certain legal responsibilities and give them permission to access all or part of the code the development team sees fit.

It's true, there would be a certain rearrangement of resources for development. More time would be spent vetting submissions and perhaps less time actually writing code.

What about the numerous threads I have seen recently talking about EC artwork? The CC having a bigger screen? Some have posited that there is a fairly thin budget for the art department. Could creative licensing could remove the budgetary barriers slowing this down?

This is just one example and, incidentally, it has nothing to do with scripting or hacking that I can see.

 

[Fayled Dhreams]

Yeah ... won't happen ...

And it's called "open source" ... extremely successful
see: mozzilla, firefox, wikipedia ...

I had suggested it back in the Sunsword era ...
pearls before swine ...
seriously/

Fits perfectly in a pay to play model ...
subscribers PAY to show a tight bit of code
Pay to fix a bug ...

The only "volunteer" aspect is "volunteering the contribution"
which is peer reviewed, by other paying submitters ...

don't want-to/or don't Know coding?
no problem
Just play the game ...

Which will be more popular ... because it will play cleaner ...
with fewer and fewer hacks ...
wider range of UI customizations (Dermot and Co do well ... imagine 599 lending a hand)
swifter bug track and splash

NO aspect of the game ... would be beyond improvement ...

*shrugs*
Yeah ... won't happen ...

 

[Woodsman]

Actually, those persons who currently engage in surreptitiously accessing the code are exactly the type of people we could benefit from. They are experienced in recognizing weakness in the code and exploiting those weaknesses to their advantage. Why not recruit them to to actually improve the game, rather than keeping their creative talents suppressed?

You would trust the people who are currently exploiting UO for their own financial gain to be on the up and up with something like this?

I realize this might not appeal to someone with a heightened sense of justice, but it seems such a waste of talent.

They aren't wasting their talent. In fact, it's just the opposite, they are using their talent to financially gain from exploiting UO and the other MMOs they script/exploit.

 

[virtualhabitat]

You would trust the people who are currently exploiting UO for their own financial gain to be on the up and up with something like this?

Are you referring to EA?

And you are responding to what part of my example? Afraid someone will exploit a larger CC picture? Hacking better resolution in the EC? Um yeah, I say let them.



The result Fayled described would be the result. (by the way, I did mention open source in the original post)

A better, cleaner game.

 

[Woodsman]

Are you referring to EA?

No, the scripters and exploiters - people scripting the hell out of the game and selling the results, whether it be gold or various items. You don't want those people anywhere near the code, they've done enough damage to the game as it is, and they've proven they see UO and other MMOs as something to exploit for financial gain.

Hacking better resolution in the EC?

I'm running the EC in 2560x1418 so I'm not sure how much better you can go.

 

[virtualhabitat]

No, the scripters and exploiters - people scripting the hell out of the game and selling the results, whether it be gold or various items. You don't want those people anywhere near the code, they've done enough damage to the game as it is, and they've proven they see UO and other MMOs as something to exploit for financial gain.
I'm running the EC in 2560x1418 so I'm not sure how much better you can go.

Yes, I have been reading how everyone just loves the look and feel of the EC. The support EC receives from a majority of players is truly overwhelming.

No improvement in the art department needed -my bad.

 

[Capn Kranky]

You would trust the people who are currently exploiting UO for their own financial gain to be on the up and up with something like this?
They aren't wasting their talent. In fact, it's just the opposite, they are using their talent to financially gain from exploiting UO and the other MMOs they script/exploit.

Do you use Firefox browser? It's open source ... community built.

I like the suggestion - including the limited license for development. I would also add NDA for it - in perpetuity. Why? Because I am sure EA considers the code a trade secret or somesuch and it should be protected.

As for exploiters gaining ... where was any mention of payment mentioned? The only gain they MIGHT see is having to close the very code hole they have been exploiting! Some of the best security experts are former burglars. It would be a use of the talents they are so darned proud of. I would suggest that they get some sort of mention for correcting this or that, but that's all.

The code is most likely modular, thus an alleged exploiter might only see a portion of it and be told that "if such-and-so occurs this code is invoked and umpty-squat happens periodically. Find the issue and repair it."

Seriously. I would personally have no problem with documenting code functionality if that's needed for filling gaps in design specs. I have 38 years experience in the area of coding and documentation including writing specifications.

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

Open source the UO client? Hell to the no.

The program which shall not be named came into being because EA released the source code on "accident."

Server emulators got a massive boost from the stand-alone UO demo.

Not a good track record for bits of the UO code base being in the public's grasp. Those who wish to screw with UO and its players wouldn't respect an NDA. The "glory" from fixing a bug or three wouldn't outweigh the urge to wreak havoc.

If you want to help fix the client(s), put in a resume at Mythic.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Those who wish to screw with UO and its players wouldn't respect an NDA. The "glory" from fixing a bug or three wouldn't outweigh the urge to wreak havoc.

*gasp*

You dare to question the basic goodness and awesome wisdom of the UO Community?

If you want to help fix the client(s), put in a resume at Mythic.

And pray they are still hiring for UO.

-Galen's player

 

[Martyna Zmuir]

You dare to question the basic goodness and awesome wisdom of the UO Community?

Since I know you've seen global chat, I'm going to assume this question is not only sarcastic, but rhetorical.

 

[GalenKnighthawke]

Since I know you've seen global chat, I'm going to assume this question is not only sarcastic, but rhetorical.

*I gasp at your sheer audacity*

-Galen's player