Possibility of releasing OFP source code?

[USSRsniper 0]

Kurayami

lol i saw people creating planes that even dont have official tools he was using 3d max 6

[Taconic 0]

Kurayami

lol i saw people creating planes that even dont have official tools he was using 3d max 6

That's something entirely different. The community can create plane models with 3DSMax (it has to be 3DSMax 5, too... they don't accept 6 models for Il-2. They will for BoB,) but they cannot add them into the game. All models are submited to to Maddox Games for Oleg's approval. If they meet his standards, MG creates the flight model with their internal tools and adds the plane into the game through a patch. There's no known way to add new aircraft to the game without going through Maddox Games. There's no way to adjust flight and damage models without going through Maddox Games. All that the average player can do is create models and hope that they live up to Oleg's standards.

In any event, I used the map example because I think that applies to OFP more. We can create models and units to our hearts' content, but we cannot tool around with the core guts of the game because we don't have access to the necessary things. Maddox grants access to their internal stuff to a select few people for time-consuming tasks like creating maps, so I was hoping that something similar could be worked out with BIS for time-consuming tasks like updates to the engine functionality (vehicle simulations, multiple weapon proxies, etc.) and the scripting language.

I know it's a long shot and probably won't amount to anything, but I figured I'd suggest it just the same.

[jantenner 0]

source code must.. be free

[SpecOp9 0]

I would'nt expect the source code any time soon.

Maybey After Operation Flashpoint 2. Or any other Flashpoint projects that might come after that.

[Greg 0]

I'd love to see the source code released just because I'd like to fix a bunch of small annoyances and make some performance improvements.

I think it is unlikely we'd see source code released in a time frame where it would be of use to the current community. The next OFP will arrive eventually, with any luck it will completely supersede the original and provide tools to satisfy modders.

[Zombie_Mod 0]

I'd love to see the source code released just because I'd like to fix a bunch of small annoyances and make some performance improvements.

I think it is unlikely we'd see source code released in a time frame where it would be of use to the current community.  The next OFP will arrive eventually, with any luck it will completely supersede the original and provide tools to satisfy modders.

The thing is, would we be able to fix anything?

With the source code, we would need documentation explaining how it works, unless of course it's all perfectly written... for example, are variables in English (not Czech) ?!

I still say though that some bright sparks would be able to work out what the software does, and make enhancements that we need.

From the BAS info on TheAvonLady's page, it sounds like some 3rd parties already have access to OFP2... or are BAS employed by BIS now?

Quote[/b] ]

"Crucially, the shift away from OFP1 development is by no means the end for BAS. Looking forward, we shall be spending our time researching and preparing for the anticipated OFP2 platform. It is very much the intention of the BAS team to return to the active development of addons for the community at some point in the future."

How can they research something that does not yet exist?

God, I would love to see how BIS made this game. Even the header files would make me smile

I don't think I can wait 2 years. By then I'll be 34, and I might not have the time nor inclination.. (children tend to get in the way of gaming.)

[Greg 0]

I'd love to see the source code released just because I'd like to fix a bunch of small annoyances and make some performance improvements.

I think it is unlikely we'd see source code released in a time frame where it would be of use to the current community.  The next OFP will arrive eventually, with any luck it will completely supersede the original and provide tools to satisfy modders.

The thing is, would we be able to fix anything?

With the source code, we would need documentation explaining how it works, unless of course it's all perfectly written... for example, are variables in English (not Czech) ?!

That is a good point.  I've been coding computer and video games for a long time and that has included the 'joy' of porting software half written and entirely commented in Japanese.  A painful process you can imagine.

All I had in mind were a bunch of minor bugs I think I might be able to fix in reasonable time, and a look at improving collision detection.  I'd also like to profile and attempt some general performance improvements.  Notice that when you pause the game, the frame rate increases often 2-4x.  That is an opportunity for improvement.

[lee_h._oswald 0]

Notice that when you pause the game, the frame rate increases often 2-4x.  That is an opportunity for improvement.

Just checked that and I have not 1 frame more when pausing the game.

MfG Lee

[Zombie_Mod 0]

I'd love to see the source code released just because I'd like to fix a bunch of small annoyances and make some performance improvements.

I think it is unlikely we'd see source code released in a time frame where it would be of use to the current community.  The next OFP will arrive eventually, with any luck it will completely supersede the original and provide tools to satisfy modders.

The thing is, would we be able to fix anything?

With the source code, we would need documentation explaining how it works, unless of course it's all perfectly written... for example, are variables in English (not Czech) ?!

That is a good point.  I've been coding computer and video games for a long time and that has included the 'joy' of porting software half written and entirely commented in Japanese.  A painful process you can imagine.

All I had in mind were a bunch of minor bugs I think I might be able to fix in reasonable time, and a look at improving collision detection.  I'd also like to profile and attempt some general performance improvements.  Notice that when you pause the game, the frame rate increases often 2-4x.  That is an opportunity for improvement.

I'm just thinking of updating the scripting language personally.

I don't expect it to be anything more than a recursive-descent parser. If it is, I'd be surprised

[macguba 0]

In a sense the answer is a simple one: BIS will release the source code if they think it's in their interest to do so. They know people want it, so the two key questions are, can the commercially sensitive parts (such as FADE) be separated from the bits they don't mind us seeing, and assuming that's possible, how much trouble will it be. It's only a small company don't forget.