Libre but not Gratis

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Libre but not Gratis Anonymous 03/11/15 (Wed) 09:13:00 No.329

Anybody know of any libre games out there that charge a fee for distribution from the developer but still respect the four essential freedoms? I'm considering this if I ever finally make my dream game so I would like to see some examples if they exist. I think it's obvious that people will find a way to get your game for free and I would actually encourage people to spread it on file/torrent hosting sites to boost its popularity.

Anonymous 03/11/15 (Wed) 16:26:10 No.330

>>329
With or without proprietary assets?

Anonymous 03/12/15 (Thu) 09:04:10 No.331

>>330

Assets will be either GPL-compatible or made from scratch. For example I'm looking into OGRE (MIT) for graphics and they have a lot of basic wrappers and libraries for stuff to make it a full engine that are also MIT licensed. I expect to make a lot of this from scratch so it will serve as a good learning tool. Release should be GPL so I'm pretty sure that even if I use MIT for some assets then I'll still be good to go with GPL.

Anonymous 03/14/15 (Sat) 08:08:06 No.341

>>329
>>331
I am struggling a little narrowing down what you want. I have comprised a short list of what I think you are looking for.
Started life as libre:
CoreBreach
Steel Storm

Released source later:
Penumbra Overture (I think the other two also)
Aquaria
Gish
Lugaru

I could recommend some engines if you let me know what you are trying to make.

Anonymous 03/14/15 (Sat) 21:36:33 No.343

>>341

That's exactly the kinda stuff I'm looking for, thanks. I'm just looking for pointers about how they handle the release of source code. My idea is to have a website to release the game. You make an account and pay for the game and you have access to the download and the source code. From what Stallman has said about non-gratis free software, I assume it's okay to do this. That's the only thing I'm not sure about.

I'm zeroed in on OGRE so I think I'm good in that regard. Everything can be added to a project that can have a GPL license slapped on it.

Anonymous 03/15/15 (Sun) 09:10:12 No.344

>>343
Should be fine as long as the code is GPL and you provide access to code to all those you provide a binary.
The name, logo and any none code assets can all be proprietary.
If it really bothers you, when you know what you are going to do, you can e-mail stallman and ask. He is normally pretty quick.

Another good example, but not GPL, is Tangram games. The games use LOVE and he makes money via itch.
http://tangramgames.dk/games/mrrescue/

Anonymous 04/06/15 (Mon) 05:19:17 No.375

I know that Arx Fatalis has opened up their source code (everyone plays Arx Libertatis because they've fixed so many bugs), but you do still have to pay for the game. The source code IS GPL-compatible, so it should be a good example of what you're looking for. Do note that they only released the source code nearly a decade after the game's release, so it's not something they had in mind from the start.

Anonymous 04/06/15 (Mon) 12:12:36 No.379

What I have not seen is a libre game that doesn't offer the source outright. I suppose people can't be bothered dealing with source requests.
I always thought the best option for a game would be a paid for site account which offers binary and source downloads and any updates and addons. You could then also have multiplayer but not release the server side code so the only way to play multiplayer would be with the account details you paid for. I suppose the server side code could be released later.