I ... version of AGS editor w/o SQ4 font embedded (please) {apparenty SOLVED}

[FSi++]

Why?
It's fun to read, and I think this thread just added a good dozen of years to my life...
Not that I think the problem is that serious, but there also are implementations of several patented compression algorithms within AGS, LZW(gif) and mp3.

[Radiant]

The Gif/LZW patent has expired in 2003.

The MP3 algorithm is used under license, which is why you shouldn't use it in commercial AGS games, as indicated in the manual.

[RickJ]

Just to pick up where Radiant left off.   I believe that commercial software containing MP3  must pay a license fee.  Software that is freely distributed (i.e. with out license fee) and that contains MP3 is not required to pay a license fee.

Oh yeah!  Chris why not put a check box that would disable the default speech font?  You could include it next to the "Make my game" button.   

[Ghost]

And to think I was so rattled all those years ago for owning a pirated copy of Doom 2...

There is one point of interest I find in all of this: Can you actually say that it is a "Space Quest Font"? It looks pretty much like Arial. So is there really a valid copyright issue here? Not that I'd care very much. I import TTFs and pirate... er... use those.

[Santiago_Joven]

Hi, I'm trying to make my own adventure game system, but it's challenging. If Mr. Chris ever makes a version of the editor without MP3 support and the space quest 4 font, that would be great!

Repent and turn from sin to God.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Wait, you revived your own thread from nearly 2 years ago to start the same thing again when it's already been thoroughly explained to you that you can load in your own fonts and remove those you don't want?  Seriously, either you have difficulty understanding English or you just don't want to understand.

Also, the mp3 library used is an early public library that will allow people to sell games without a problem.  Don't believe me, though, just take a look at The Blackwell Legacy, Blackwell Unbound, Diamonds in the Rough, and Al Emmo (to name a few).

Now seriously, please stop posting about this and either get over this groundless fear of yours or use another utility for your game.

Please.  And there's no need for anyone else to tell him what I've just told him, so let's just close this thread and let it go.

[Santiago_Joven]

Also, the mp3 library used is an early public library that will allow people to sell games without a problem.  Don't believe me, though, just take a look at The Blackwell Legacy, Blackwell Unbound, Diamonds in the Rough, and Al Emmo (to name a few).

I'm not sure I understand. I thought Thompson made a big deal about owning the patents for MP3.

I'm not trying to bother people, but my own adventure game system that I made from scratch is so feature deficient, it's nothing compared to the power of AGS. It works, It's nice, but nothing. 

I'm not joking or anything, I just would like a version of AGS editor without MP3 and without the default speech font.

Quote:
'First of all, the default speech font in AGS is ripped from Space Quest 4. If you are going to distribute your game commercially, you should change this because it may make Sierra unhappy.'

I replaced it, but when I started a new game, it reappeared in a new game. Is it in the installation somewhere?

Please don't take offence at me, I just want a good engine (better than mine)

-Thanks

[Layabout]

IIRC, the Blackwell games and other commercial ags games use a version of ags that has the mp3decoder removed. They use OGGs for digital audio.

As for the font issue, with your final game, the only font's that will be included are the ones you use, so every time you make a new game, just make sure to replace the defaults with the non-sierra (as they copyright laws do not apply to bitmapped fonts), and your game will be fine.

Question. Have you ever saved an image to your computer from a website?

[monkey0506]

Question. Have you ever saved an image to your computer from a website?

Your browser automatically caches images and sites for faster browsing. Santiago, you'd really better be careful. If the FBI catches you with all those stolen images saved to your hard drive, you're boned! :

On a more serious note, I honestly don't understand why you think this request has any validity whatsoever. The editor includes a default font which bears resemblance to a game which by 99% of the population was forgotten long ago. And you have the option to not use that font. As far as the MP3, the download page for AGS offers the engine without MP3 support. Please Santiago, in all honesty I am begging you...for the sanity of everyone involved...put a stop to this madness. Accept the fact that by using the engine without MP3 support and by not using the font in your game that you have no possibility of copyright infringement from either of those aspects...and let this thread die!

There's no point to this thread any more. You've been told this multiple times, and you probably won't listen to me either. But seriously. This has got to stop.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

The blackwell games don't have the mp3 decoder removed (unless the version Dave told me he uses isn't the version he told me he uses).  In any case, it's nothing to worry about because the original library didn't have any commercial constraints on it that I am aware of and you can't grandfather in that sort of thing.  Also, if it really bothers you then you could just use the ogg, wav, midi, or xm driver instead.

Edit:  Most importantly, nobody is going to go after you for copyright infringement on something you don't use.

[Santiago_Joven]

Please Santiago, in all honesty I am begging you...for the sanity of everyone involved...put a stop to this madness. Accept the fact that by using the engine without MP3 support and by not using the font in your game that you have no possibility of copyright infringement from either of those aspects...and let this thread die!

This isn't a useless topic, because it involves careful living.

I think I'm ok when it comes to browsing, also the browser software does this to reduce bandwith usage.  But I try to respect web page copyrights.

Maybe I am going to an extreme, I'm not sure, but I'm doing what my conscience allows for. Each of us has a different conscience, and when we go against it, it ruins our faith. (Which sends us to hell after we die.)

I already know that the runtime is available without MP3, I'm talking about the editor.

AGS is a nice piece of work, and it probably wouldn't be too hard to do these 2 small alterations. (A version for sensitive conciences)
Totally take out the space quest 4 font from package.
Remove support for MP3 from Editor.
(Actually, I think Windows has licensed built in mp3 support, so this support is redundant!)
(Maybe we could see who owns patent, and ask of these issues)

Pretty please Mr. Jones

[Gilbert]

I already know that the runtime is available without MP3, I'm talking about the editor.

What do you mean by the editor having MP3 support?
As far as I remember, unless you are using a plugin to manage the media files the editor has no means to play a sound file (not really sure about most recent versions). If you are talking about removing support for compiling a game that contains a call to the function PlayMP3File() then it's just ridiculous. It's only the (default MP3 enabled) engine which plays the file. You cannot say that a free compiler which allows created programmes to be able to make calls to commercial libraries illegal. It's just that simple.

About the SQ4 font, it may be reasonable, if people donate a 'free' font for AGS to include as default it would be fine, but is it that important? If you're aware of the font reappearing every time you make a new game, just make your own template which is free from the font and start making every game using that template.

So, all you need to do is to 1. replace the engine executable with the non-MP3 version and 2. make your own game template which is without the font.

The discussion here is just going into meaningless circles. Don't use AGS if you don't feel comfortable. You can make games (AGS or not) instead of wasting time arguing.

[Anteater]

Santiago, I respect your propensity for legality, primarily because I'm a stickler for that sort of thing myself. However, as long as the font is only used as the default tutorial font, it almost certainly falls under "fair use." To make an actual game with it could be considered much more questionable, however, so you'd be better off simply deleting the font and loading your own, like the others said. No need to worry.

[Ishmael]

Quick! Someone lock this thread before it turns into yet another pointless religious argument, for this person here is clearly posessed in an unhealthy manner by his fear of a supposedly omnipresent, almight being that can't even prove it's own existance in any way.

[Layabout]

Stop feeding.

By the way, I'm suing everyone on this forum for copyright infringement for caching my avatar, as it is clearly against the law.

[SSH]

Actually, you can already easily get this "conscience" version:

From: http://mp3licensing.com/help/index.html

no license is needed for private, non-commercial activities (e.g., home-entertainment, receiving broadcasts and creating a personal music library), not generating revenue or other consideration of any kind or for entities with associated annual gross revenue less than US$ 100 000.00

If you're not going commercial, you're fine with MP3. As for the font, create your own template that has no SQ4 fonts in it, then delete the original templates. Easy.

[Santiago_Joven]

Actually, you can already easily get this "conscience" version:

From: http://mp3licensing.com/help/index.html

no license is needed for private, non-commercial activities (e.g., home-entertainment, receiving broadcasts and creating a personal music library), not generating revenue or other consideration of any kind or for entities with associated annual gross revenue less than US$ 100 000.00

If you're not going commercial, you're fine with MP3. As for the font, create your own template that has no SQ4 fonts in it, then delete the original templates. Easy.

Thanks, let me think/read over these replies, I'm not up on all the legal ins and outs.  (I don't even know if the Editor has MP3 software in it)

I guess I don't want to download it to my hard drive if it has an illegal SQ4 font embedded in it. Now the MP3 issue, I'm not sure if that is for the decoding mechanism or the 'format' which I think is overduing it. Because that's like Henry ford charging you to drive a Ford every trip you make. If they want to be like that, I say hurray for Ogg Vorbis. 'licensing' the mp3 format for files sounds greedy. But respect for the decoding patents (if they exist) is another story.

If anybody else has any legality advice, it's welcome. I'm not crazy, but maybe I'm going to an extreme, not sure. Ags is powerful though.

[Khris]

Living that afraid and brain-washed is probably worse than any imaginary hell.

[SSH]

Its easier to poke fun than to be helpful.

Here's a version of AGS 3.1.2 SP1 with the MP3-free engine and no SQ4 font. Enjoy!

[LGM]

I don't mean to be rude or make fun... But I just would like to know where it says in the bible that you will go to hell for using an engine that has a 20-year old font that is, more than likely, licensed to no-one by now? I have to know? And what does it have to do with losing your faith?

As a Christian myself, I'm aware of these kinds of beliefs but I find it baffling that anyone would even try to tiptoe through their life around something so minuscule as possibly breaking a copyright law that no-one will ever care to prosecute or even notice.

As many have already told you, using AGS would be PERFECTLY legal with or without the MP3 integration. There have been several professional games made with AGS, all legal. Please, for your own sake, believe them.  Believe me.  You are going to be okay.

God gave us life so we can enjoy it... Not so we can tiptoe around every little sin because we don't want him to send us to the firey place. We're supposed to fear God, yes, but not be afraid of him. He loves you. Even when you break the law. Please lighten up and enjoy life.