From: “dima” [email protected]
You should think what is that you are selling.
I know it’s not a code. Perhaps its solution, service, idea, time,
creativity but is definitely not a code.
Nah. Having the idea and the creativity is the easy
part.
The code and data is where all the hard work is.
If you build something that gain some successes do not think that you
can live from the past glory.
Huh? In what way is this relevant? Please consider how
id Software releases games.
Let’s start with Quake (1996). id Software immediately
releases the GAME LOGIC and TOOLS as open source. But the
game ENGINE remains closed source.
Next, id Software release Quake II (end of 1997). Again,
the GAME LOGIC and TOOLS are released open source. But the
Quake II engine remains closed source.
BUT, now id Softare FULLY releases all of the original Quake
code open source. Now all of Quake I is open source.
Next, id Software releases Quake III (end of 1999.) Again,
the GAME LOGIC and TOOLS are released open source. But the
Quake III engine remains closed source.
BUT, now id Softare FULLY releases all of the Quake II
code open source. Now all of Quake II is open source.
Next, id Software release DOOM III (2005). Again,
the GAME LOGIC and TOOLS are released open source. But the
DOOM III engine remains closed source.
BUT, now id Software FULLY releases all of the Quake III
code open source. Now all of Quake III is open source.
And last month in Dallas at QuakeCon 2007, id Software
confirmed that eventually the DOOM III engine will be fully
released open source.
And they confirmed that even their newest technology,
id Tech 5, will eventually be released open source, too.
The current success is a history. You
should move to new challenges. Ones that try to mimic your solution
will always be one step behind.
This has NOTHING to do with open vs. closed source,
that I can see.
The only solution is open source.
The clever people will help you make a bright idea of yours great.
Open source is great. But it doesn’t sound like you have
much experience developing and trying to make a living off
of shrink-wrap game or application software?
There’s a reason id Software waits a few years before
releasing the engine open source.
Learning from their example, I plan to release my own
applications the same way. Initially, partly open source,
partly closed source. Then when I come out with V2.0,
I will open source ALL of V1.0. Etc.
To me, this is an excellent compromise, considering the
realities of software piracy.
Anyway, what do you think about the way id Software release
their games?
Regards,
Bill