[tetha]

So release the server code as OSS, data necessary to function & support community servers. Even in a crappy hard-to-support way, the community will usually figure out a way.

IMO, the move from community servers over to matchmaking & vendor only servers being the only viable option was a huge disservice to the long-levity of games. If I find the code around here, I could still get a Tremulous server running today for a few bucks, even if I haven't played that game for 20+ years.

[yndoendo]

This is why I stopped playing Call of Duty after the original Modern Warfare 2. After self hosting servers were removed, the game became less fun.

Solutions to this modern problem was solved during the dialup and LAN party era. None of those single player games required an online launcher.

[aurareturn]

Releasing the server code isn't always ideal. There's likely a ton of secrets, hardcoding, and exploits.

[tetha]

Regarding 1 and 2, my pity is mild if this requirement forced companies to follow principles of secure software development, configuration and deployment. Injecting stuff from deployment config is not hard.

3 is valid and can be tricky, as it would depend on when in the software lifecycle the release would be mandatory. If it's in a wind-down or bankruptcy situation, it would be tricky. Though that discussion is similar to the responsible disclosure discussion, isn't it? Exploiters usually already know them.

[aurareturn]

Try open sourcing a code base that is built up over the last 15 years and most of the devs no longer work there. Thats what you’re asking for many online games.

Not to mention open sourcing the code will subject the company to legal liability if there’s something weird in there like discrimination of some form.

[stale2002]

> Try open sourcing a code base that is built up over the last 15 years and most of the devs no longer work there. Thats what you’re asking for many online games.

Thats pretty easy actually.

All you have to do is go into the setting page on the git repo and change the settings from private to public.

I'm sure most game devs are able to figure that one out.

Everything else that resolves was that is merely consequences for which I have little pitty for.

[throwaway85825]

Every employment contract requires copyright assignment. It's not so complicated.

[Accacin]

Again, this would not apply to pre-existing games.