- Dec 14, 2008
- 129
- 45
Sorry for the angryish post, but I thought this would be a good topic for those newer to mapping. I bring this up because today I found out that an individual from FPSBanana decided to take one of my maps and change the lighting and re-release it on his server. The only reason I found out is because he mentioned he was going to put the original map on his server which I made some adjustments to and wanted him to know.
Anyways, back on topic. Decompiling a map is a powerful tool for learning how to use new techniques or those pesky entities that are poorly documented. These are perfect uses for such a tool. But remember when you take pieces out of a map that your taking a person's creativity and time. We all spend many hours activity mapping these works of art and even more thinking about them. I like to think that there is a piece of myself in every map I create, and I'm sure many others feel the same way.
While the maps are not copyrighted or protected an any way, we have the responsibility to treat them as if they were. If you use a map as reference, a good general rules of thumb is putting comments of thanks towards the individual(s) who helped you. If you use a portion of map (aka, copy/paste anything) ask that person for permission before even pressing ctrl-c. If you cant contact that individual, dont touch it.
This does sound a little anti-decompiling and it should to a point. Most of us probably want to know if people are prodding around in our bsp's. But, at the same time I like the idea that something I created inspired someone enough to take the time to look at it more closely. I have used decompilers in the past, I may again in the future. But, it should always been done with respect to the hours and creativity of the person who made the map.
Hopefully I'm not alone in this, and I hope some others will add their thoughts as well.
(as a general note, if anyone wants to take a look at my vmx/rmf's just shoot me an email)
Phil
Anyways, back on topic. Decompiling a map is a powerful tool for learning how to use new techniques or those pesky entities that are poorly documented. These are perfect uses for such a tool. But remember when you take pieces out of a map that your taking a person's creativity and time. We all spend many hours activity mapping these works of art and even more thinking about them. I like to think that there is a piece of myself in every map I create, and I'm sure many others feel the same way.
While the maps are not copyrighted or protected an any way, we have the responsibility to treat them as if they were. If you use a map as reference, a good general rules of thumb is putting comments of thanks towards the individual(s) who helped you. If you use a portion of map (aka, copy/paste anything) ask that person for permission before even pressing ctrl-c. If you cant contact that individual, dont touch it.
This does sound a little anti-decompiling and it should to a point. Most of us probably want to know if people are prodding around in our bsp's. But, at the same time I like the idea that something I created inspired someone enough to take the time to look at it more closely. I have used decompilers in the past, I may again in the future. But, it should always been done with respect to the hours and creativity of the person who made the map.
Hopefully I'm not alone in this, and I hope some others will add their thoughts as well.
(as a general note, if anyone wants to take a look at my vmx/rmf's just shoot me an email)
Phil
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