| From: | Adam J adamj@*********.html.com |
|---|---|
| Subject: | SR Books Online |
| Date: | Mon, 15 Feb 1999 05:46:58 -0700 |
>>The trouble is, in any electronic format the books would be too easy to
>>copy. Photocopying 200+pages for a sourcebook or two isn't my idea of fun,
>>but run that CD burner for 20 minutes, or d/l from a website overnight, and
>>there you go. Neither option is likely to happen any time soon.
>
>But why should FASA give a devil rat's ass?
Well, the idea is that FASA would -sell- electronic versions of the books.
If they're selling something, piracy is a big turn off.
> They aren't making anything off
>of those books now anyways?
Not really. But if they start giving away something, they basically say "We
have no hope of making money on this product again", and in very few cases
will they ever be able to make money again. Suppose FASA releases a pile
of the old modules onto the web in PDF format, and then in 3 years decides
they should re-release some of the old modules in paper format, in some
sort of anthology. They've cut down their options because re-releasing the
modules they have released for free is not really an option, as there are
few people who will pay for something that they already have a copy of.
> Personally I think they should release those
>books for free online.
See above. Not to mention that they don't own everything that was
published, some of the artwork for example. Which means they have to spend
extra time and money either removing what they don't own or getting back in
touch with the artist/author and getting the rights to use it again.
> Hey the code for Wolfenstein and Doom eventually
>became public domain? Why can't the old, out-of-print books from Shadowrun
>be the same?
Because they aren't the same. The Wolfenstein and Doom source code is the
source code. It doesn't include the required files that are needed to
actually Play the game (In dooms case, .WAD files, can't remember for
Wolf3D). At best, you would have to get one of the utilities that lets you
write your own levels, and then you could use the free source code, compile
it, write your own levels, and have a completely free Doom of Wolfenstein
experience.
You already have everything you need to have a completely free Shadowrun
experience -- your imagination, pencil, and paper. Not to mention there's
already tons of free stuff on the internet.
-Adam J
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