I know the discussion about basic changes to the game is brought up on a regular basis. (For example, people often ask about randomizing the artifact numbers or powers. Or changing specific orders that seem wacky; like when a friendly nation sends agents to help you defend something, but your local militia stops them.)
And the answer is typically, “No. We can’t make that specific change because we didn’t write the computer program.”
But my question (this time) is this: Is there, or will there be, any plan to rebuild the program (or rewrite it) so that changes can be made in the future?
Well…that is almost a different topic. But in the same spirit.
For example, to develop a 1st Age Scenario (a great idea by the way) you would need a new map, new nations, etc. But you could use the same core rules. However, many different entities would have something to say about it. Obviously.
In my previous question, I am concentrating on what is already set up. Simply tweeking the current program. Like changing arty numbers. No legal or copyright arguments there, just a matter of computer programming. Unless MEPBM does not own the program. Either way, the question still stands, “Is there any action being taken?”
Harley has been questioned many times about what would they do with the source codes? Evasive answers or silence meets the questions.
By the way: There is no such thing as a “local militia”. It is a message and not an action. It is the message the owner of a pop center gets when an agent (friendly or hostile) fails his random roll. It is more elegant than saying “Doufus failed his random roll” if less elegant than saying “Doufus stupidly lost his knife in a drunken stupor”.
Harly has been fairly clear several times that they do not have the rights to the source code. GSI owns the source, and leases/rents it to the various licensees.
There has been talk at various times about Harly acquiring the source, but that would take a good deal of money, and people to do something with it.
But my question (this time) is this: Is there, or will there be, any plan to rebuild the program (or rewrite it) so that changes can be made in the future?
Not at present - we’re meeting up with Bill Feilds in July though and maybe it will come out then. What we will do is continue to develop additional bits such as Automagic, MEOW, Palantir as game aids, and also work on scenario development.
The danger of too many variants is that we “dilute the player base” - ie too few players wanting to play each new type of scenario so we wouldn’t be able to get a game going. The Last Alliance is an example of that. On the other hand Gunboat has been an excellent success. So we want to try and keep bringing fresh ideas into the game but only if the players want it.
In response to Ed Mills posting about us being evasive, unfortunately I don’t reply to players who don’t sign their posts.
Is it not a fact that if you get the source codes you intend to make massive changes to this game? Fiddle with the mechanics?
No it is not a fact. I quite like the game the way it is. Not to say that improvements couldn’t be made - whether they be cosmetic or otherwise. Actually I am a little confused by Ed’s reaction here. There seems to be an implicit approval by you, Ed, for the changes we have made in the manner. That is that the only games you play are ones that we have specifically changed in some manner. (No normal games being played).
Of course if we ever did change the game we’d only do it with player approval - anything else would be financial suicide on our part. I hope that helps allay your fears.
And as always, let us know if we can do anything for you.