Platform 'program-manager' repositories

[MasterSplinter]

A couple days ago, I softmoded my Nintendo Wii.

On the "HomeBrew Channel" inside the 'HomeBrew Browser', there were 2 ports of Quake 1. One was called Quake 1 rev and the other was called Quake 1 GX.

The GX one worked best for a standard tube TV's resolution.... and it had an on-screen KB.... plus networking worked.

If it wasn't for these games (Quake and others) conveniently listed inside default 'program-manager' repositories... people would have to dig to find such things.

The first time I ever heard-of and played Alien Arena was through the Synaptic Package Manager (in one of my Linux MINT distros). My keyword was 'Quake'... but, no Quake client populated... although there are several Linux Quake ports out there.

In my opinion, this is where the future is going (M$ and the Internet as we know it)... For safer use, controlled distribution/updates, and for promotional purposes. Getting on a default (meaning the user won't need to add to their list) repository will be a hot ticket. It will be the breakdown of commercial control and limitation... HomeBrew alternatives will become preferred for the economical user.

Commercial and HomeBrew App Stores are already appearing:
iPhone (and shared OS devices)
Android
Wii
PSP

Another thing is, these HomeBrew App Stores come with tons of emulators.... including DOS-Box. I imagine that virtual-machine boxes are just around the corner.

[Spike]

First. Quake is GPLed, and thus cannot appear in certain non-free-friendly stores.
Secondly, only the engine is free - the content is still copyrighted. This means that you're not allowed to distribute Quake itself. Only the engine. And distributing only the engine is pointless. Many repositories will prohibit it due to merely promoting copyright violations (ie: instructions that say to copy the game data from the net or whatever).

This is why you'll see alien arena and nexuiz in linux/commercial/legal package managers (where all content is free or bought), but not quake.
See android/iphone ports for an example...

An engine is basically useless on its own.

[mh]

What's really needed is a friendlier shareware Quake license. I recall Carmack posting in his .plan back when he released the Quake source that he had intentions of getting the shareware Quake license changed for exactly this kind of purpose, but it seems as though nothing ever came of it. A pity.

It still doesn't address the issue of non-free-friendly stores either.

[MasterSplinter]

First. Quake is GPLed, and thus cannot appear in certain non-free-friendly stores.
Secondly, only the engine is free - the content is still copyrighted. This means that you're not allowed to distribute Quake itself. Only the engine. And distributing only the engine is pointless. Many repositories will prohibit it due to merely promoting copyright violations (ie: instructions that say to copy the game data from the net or whatever).

This is why you'll see alien arena and nexuiz in linux/commercial/legal package managers (where all content is free or bought), but not quake.
See android/iphone ports for an example...

An engine is basically useless on its own.

Thanks Spike for the post.

I'm wondering why sooo many people are successfully selling and freely distributing Quake ports (with shareware limitations) and not getting shot down... on commercial non-free-app stores (Android Market: i.e.) Quake ports exist. There has to be something protecting them. Some of these authors have a following, which makes them popular enough to get found out.

Maybe I should read the GPL line-by-line, ask the Quake-porter questions, and try to figure out what keeps their software around.

IMO, posting JUST your engine should be good enough (that's what one would want to be recognized for). If you are worried about legal issues, have your engine accommodate operations to assemble (automatically even) shareware/licensed packages from the legal source (maybe that is what's happening).

The HomeBrew/JailBreak/Rooting community (whichever platform) claim to be a legit "legal" resource for outside-the-box users (Non-Pirates). They have to watch their legal steps to keep in operation too... but Quake ports are allowed in their default repositories...

[metalmodman]

A couple days ago, I softmoded my Nintendo Wii.

How is the homebrew scene, is it pretty easy to code for the wii?

The first time I ever heard-of and played Alien Arena was through the Synaptic Package Manager (in one of my Linux MINT distros). My keyword was 'Quake'... but, no Quake client populated... although there are several Linux Quake ports out there.

Last time I check I remember seeing quake 2 and open arena but I cant remember what linux it was. I think it was buntu?

What's really needed is a friendlier shareware Quake license. I recall Carmack posting in his .plan back when he released the Quake source that he had intentions of getting the shareware Quake license changed for exactly this kind of purpose, but it seems as though nothing ever came of it. A pity.

It still doesn't address the issue of non-free-friendly stores either.

I wonder if quake 4 source is still going to be released.

[MasterSplinter]

How is the homebrew scene, is it pretty easy to code for the wii?

It was pretty easy. I had the 4.3u firmware. I can send you links if you need instructions or something. PM me if you like.

Last time I check I remember seeing quake 2 and open arena but I cant remember what linux it was. I think it was buntu?

This is what I get with my Mint 9 box.

[leileilol]

And if you check to install the quake3-data and the quake2-data from the repositories it'll prompt you for the CD to fetch the data from.


Quake's a bit problematic in this case in to why it is absent here - the earliest CD version came on LZH form. The little-later 1.06 CD came on Installshield cab form. The Activision 2001 re-release is all exposed however

also I like how hyphenation is the only difference between warsow and openarena's descriptions

[gnounc]

Yakuake is the shit.
I wish tilda and yeahconsole
would steup up their game a bit.

[Chip]

Would a GPL version of Quake (like OpenQuartz) meet the requirements, then?

[MasterSplinter]

Would a GPL version of Quake (like OpenQuartz) meet the requirements, then?

I just downloaded and played OpenQuartz, per your question, and it def has that Quake 1 feel and physics that everyone likes... And it doesn't appear to have any models/artwork or otherwise that would suggest that it is using any of ID1's pak file data.

It also seems like you could substitute the .pak files for ID1's and have it load and play normal. Some error lists w/ ID1's .pak:


Don't know if it has a build that is past 2004 (that's the version I found)... It doesn't seem to connect to current NetQuake servers.

[metalmodman]

here is a clip of wii homebrew channel and quake with nunchuk support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxZQ3WDlF0M

[Swift]

Secondly, only the engine is free - the content is still copyrighted. This means that you're not allowed to distribute Quake itself.

Wouldn't a sufficiently mature "Quake Remodeled" project combined with Romeros released MAP files sidestep this whole issue?

Edit: Although I suppose there is the whole intellectual property issue of art theme.

[MasterSplinter]

here is a clip of wii homebrew channel and quake with nunchuk support.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxZQ3WDlF0M

LOL

I love his commentary. He's really getting into the game. I bet he would be a fun person to game with.

[MasterSplinter]

Secondly, only the engine is free - the content is still copyrighted. This means that you're not allowed to distribute Quake itself.

Wouldn't a sufficiently mature "Quake Remodeled" project combined with Romeros released MAP files sidestep this whole issue?

Edit: Although I suppose there is the whole intellectual property issue of art theme.

It would be totally cool to get a brilliant-looking Quake build in a repository. Users can't always successfully manual-compile Quake themselves. If Package-Manager users just see it, they'll probably check it out... who knows, maybe play it repeatedly ...on-line no less.

[metalmodman]

Does the wii quake port have a server browser?

It would be cool if there was a menu for downloading mods.