lyon
If a video game was commercially available on digital platforms, but its source code was publicly available under a CC-NC license, assuming you were interested in the game and it was priced reasonably, which are you most likely to do? Boosts appreciated #gamedev #indiegame
Never purchase, I can just build for free
0%
Build to try for free, purchase if I enjoy it
40.4%
Purchase anyway, building is just enough friction
48.9%
Build for free, but find other ways to support
10.6%
Poll ended at .
Mar 1 at 8:19pmWeb
Show threadlyonMar 1
I'm interested on taking the temperature on this here because I know that mastodon is not representative of the general population, so it'll be interesting to see how people who have the tools and the know-how would respond
Show threadhakkermanMar 1
@lyon Imo we have that situation with piracy. You can download basically any game for free, but we often choose to pay for it (eventually atleast).
Show threadChristophe SauveurMar 1
@lyon is it even technically possible to publish the game commercially if your own license is CC-NC? Are you not infringing right from the start?
Show threadlyonMar 1

@chsxf I could be wrong, but my understanding is that the license applies to copiers, the right holder can do whatever. Additionally, I think it's not that no commercialization can be done, it's just that you cannot without the explicit permission of the rights holder.

The idea behind the restriction would just be to prevent someone from selling their own version on mobile app stores or something, which... tends to happen even without freely available source anyway, but still.

Show threadSkyper 💻🎧☕📖Mar 1
@chsxf @lyon Licensing something doesn't necessarily mean giving away your copyright (except public domain and similar). At the contrary, you state the rights and liabilities of the parties using your work. But regarding yourself, the copyright owner of the work, you do whatever you want with it.
Show threadChristophe SauveurMar 1
@Skyper @lyon thanks for the clarification. That was my guess and it is completely logical.
Show threadFadedOasis 🌈Mar 1

@lyon Always buy, because I have no idea how to build it, and I don't have time or patience to learn.

I know Mastodon is a programmer-heavy space, but I feel like programmers always overestimate the capabilities of their users. You didn't even list an option for "I don't even know how to build a program from it's source code". Insert that XKCD about geologists thinking everyone knows about geology.

Show threadlyonMar 1
@fadedoasis haha fair enough, I say we count not knowing how as enough friction
Show threadSkyper 💻🎧☕📖Mar 1

@lyon I voted "Purchase anyway, building is just enough friction", but to be more precise, it's not necessary that "building is just enough friction", but that I value the fact of paying for the work done and encouraging the initiative.

On a similar topic, I buy all my games on GOG to value and encourage DRM-free games and selling platforms (and also EU businesses).

Show threadSamMar 2
@lyon purchase anyway because building is IMO an immense amount of friction. I would only build another person's project if I'm being paid to do so or I'm personally interested in modifying/working on the project.
Show threadCrystal 💾💽📼🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇦Mar 2
@lyon to me the question whether the commercial version has DRM. I'm happy to pay if it's DRM-free.