Programmer question about the source code of the game

[Dertalai]

Hello all. This is my first post in the English section of the forum. Sorry in advance for my English...

After searching without results, I was wondering in the Spanish forum if there is any (open or closed) discussion about publishing the source code of this fantastic game under a free license.

This game is free to play and it's done by volunteers without the intention of make money, am I right? So in my opinion, it may be a good idea to publish the source code. It could improve the development of the project without "losing control". In the other hand, I understand there are some reasons for discarting this idea.

Can anyone tell me?

[marol]

I can see at least two disadvantages:
- anybody could start their instance of game, which could lead to disperse of Cantr community,
- someone could expolit possible bugs to gain advantage in game or even compromise system security.

Besides game code is still evolving.

[Chris Johnson]

Whilst the code is developed by volunteers it is the property of the Creator , Jos Elkink and it would be totally up to him as to whether the code would ever be made Open Source. I am aware its been discussed before it's unlikely to develop that way.

Generally , I'd be very against this idea for many of the same reasons as put forward by Marol. With very few exceptions most games released as open source end up with a large range of similar projects being developed and hosted - the original game gains very little from this, just some development resources but against a massive dilution in the player base this is not worth much.

If you really want to make a contribution then apply to join the programming Dept - The code doesn't have to be open source for you to make valuable contribution.

[the_antisocial_hermit]

Yea.. this isn't really the sort of game I'd suggest that for... It'd lose its unique flavor, and I can't even imagine what the player bases would be like on other models of it.

[Dertalai]

I see. Thank you for your quick responses.