Dear Bethesda!

Is any change to Bethesda release source code of Fallout 1 and 2 engine? If think that 12 and 10 years of Fallout 1 and 2 is a enough time to make public source code of engine. 12 and 10 years is much time in IT, especially in games and both games in present days doesn't prefer something new. But both games still lives and may be develop by fans from around the world. Both games can be young again and further improve or create on the other platforms, e.g. Linux or Mac. Simultaneously when I say about Fallout 1 and 2 I have in mind only engine of both games. Graphics and other materials still will be proprietary of the Bethesda. It means that if somebody want to develop Fallout 1 or 2 then must have original copy to have access to this materials (similar how with Quake). Bethesda is a proprietary of Fallout and have full rights. I think that simultaneously for Bethesda and for Fallout fans will be good if engine will be public. All fans from the around the world will be very much grateful to the Bethesda.

I also think about license and it could be GPL or other non-commercial, non-profit license. These source codes must be purposed for Fallout fans.

How I said, if Bethesda will release source code of Fallout 1 and 2 engine then many fans from the around the world will be very much grateful to the Bethesda.

Best regards,
Fryderyk

If the source code even still exists Interplay probably has it, and I highly doubt either they or Bethesda would be interested in releasing it.

Part of http://www.nma-fallout.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=34287 :



Why do you think so?

I and many Fallout fans have hope that so day will come.

One reason the Fallout 1+2 source code won't be released is that both games are still selling and selling well.

Usually the source code is only released when the games are no longer selling or the Developer holding the rights has no interest in continuing the series.

I don't think its going to happen. Releasing source code is a rare thing... Although Bethesda have released some games for free, its never any more than the game itself.

It would be nice though... Might see more success from the FO2 modding teams if it were.

It would be worth setting up a petition!

An interesting point is that interplay have been including GPL code in fallout 2 distributions for the past year-ish, and at least with the steam version it's the opinion of the FSF that it constitutes a complete program with fallout that would require the fallout2.exe code to be released under the GPL or compatible licence. (Not so much the trilogy disks, where it was an optional extra in the installer rather than an integral part of the program.)

Doesn't mean anything in reality alas, because interplay don't have the rights to relicence fallout themselves and bethesda have no responsibility for interplays actions. It would give bethesda a good excuse for releasing the code if they already wanted to, and just needed something to smack the marketing department over the head with though. (Although it would be more likely to be the legal department that would be the problem. )

DevenTarn I don't think so. How I said Bethesda will release engine source code only, not materials. It means that to play you must buy this game. And everybody are happy. Both games are still selling and people developing old Fallout. I think that Quake series it's a good example.

But these games have 12 and 10 years. It's much time! Bethesda has full right to Fallout, but both games aren't developing now, but can be by fans. I think it is fantastic. Again Quake series it's a good example.


Timeslip Fallout 2, GPL and Interplay I heard about that story.

That's true, but in this story Interplay is not important. The most important is this eveything around this game. These game has 12 and 10 years and still living, didn't die. Many people plays everyday, create some mods or etc. I think that code should be shared with Fallout fans.