Pk3 protection?

(-IronMonkey-) #1

just a question guys…

everyday i see on several webpages new ET packs coming out…and a lot of time checking those packs, i can find inside some of my server weapon models … skins etc…a little bit modifyed and published as new pack without any credit to people who really build it

now we are working on a new MOD and we have really a lot of new weapons, models, and skins (never seen in ET yet), but we are really scared about release them and than see how fast they can be stolen

ok so:
I know it’s possible to set a password into pk3, but than is there a way to code this password also into source? or is it engine related?
Maybe somebody know another solution to lock pk3?

thx VS|Monkey ( aka losing morale monkey :frowning: )

PS:
I realise this is a common problem for a lot of guys who spend their time on building something new for this game…so i supose a solution will be apreciated from a lot of people

(Berzerkr) #2

No chance to protect the content of a pk3.
I’ve seen a Vietnam-mod wich was using the whole European Style map-mod I once made, without giving credit, too. :wink:

(-IronMonkey-) #3

thx for reply…so no way :frowning: i suposed that

btw
you right i was fallen on a mistake with that…
since every other thing got credits from server menu…and quit screen
(i gave credits also for used mapscripts - so i just forgot - my bad)

for next release we have just fixed this and we have homemade texture for everything

(Berzerkr) #4

Just a hint for the next version:
Do never add the content of maps into a mods pk3.
No one will say anything if you take stuff from others when it’s credited. :slight_smile:

(nUllSkillZ) #5

Not sure why people don’t give credit.
It’s very easy to add one line in the readme.
But I don’t mind if someone uses things that I’ve created.
I’m fine with it.
May be it’s a progression and evolution.
And the game will be better with the new mod.

May be you should only release the modded parts for which you are fine with the idea that they are taken.
(Sorry for bad english.)

(-IronMonkey-) #6

yes I learnt that by myself (and over my skin) after this 1 year old release…
but another question:
is there any difference if a pack is released as public mod, and if a pak is just taken downloading it from server?
or automatically if you use your pak into a public server it become free for everybody?

(phisherman) #7

is there any difference if a pack is released as public mod, and if a pak is just taken downloading it from server?
or automatically if you use your pak into a public server it become free for everybody?
I dont know, but I dont think it makes any difference.
People will take your pack if its good, no matter if you want that or not.

But see it like that, if people take your mod that means it’s good, so be happy about it. :wink:

Hey nullskillz you were the guy with the VoiceChat Icons? Well done :up: :slight_smile:

Ah btw VS|Monkey, I took your VS-Packs and edited them, I hope thats no problem?

(shagileo) #8

[QUOTE=Phishermans Phriend;186172]

Ah btw VS|Monkey, I took your VS-Packs and edited them, I hope thats no problem?

lol you should know …

Anyhow, it’s not just something to be happy about. People (like the Vietnam Mod you edited) worked hard for models, playermodels, huds, good atmosphere etc etc …
and if there’s someone who just steals it (because that’s what it is when NOT asking permission or when permission ISN’T granted) without giving credit, well that’s a pain in the heart for the original author.
Consider this:
what if I just modified a tiny little thing about, let’s say… hmm … Vietnam NQ mod (just an example) and publish it under my name (although I know you are the author) without giving any credit to “you”, would you be happy with that?
Although the majority of the gaming community doesn’t care that much about the mod makers or map makers (there are exceptions) it’s just a mappers/modders code.
Well you made your point of view clear in your post: be happy about it when people steal your work.
Why do you think Monkey asks for a PK3 protection in the first place ?

—>

[QUOTE=Phishermans Phriend;186172]

Ah btw VS|Monkey, I took your VS-Packs and edited them, I hope thats no problem?

(th0rn3) #9

From my own experience, why people doesn’t give any credit for others work:
They think that they can trick people with telling this is their own work, and they want all the respect and fame for it, but as the time flies some smart people are telling, hey this is not his work, he didnt made this, so everyone starts looking at that guy like he’s a thief and doesnt want to help him in the future…
So if someone who did this or is planning to do so - credit people for their work, if you dont know who’s work is it, ask here at splash damage, or put an author unknown in your credits.
I used not to credit people for their hard work, but now I know that feeling, etc… So I always credit people who made something that Im using, even particialy…

(Tyrlop) #10

This reminds me of this guy > Link
he has completly stolen, every single file from our(eastfronts) ppsh, and also the mp40 from eastfront/falckonet. without asking permission and with absolutly no credits of any kind to any one. it also looks like he has stolen the mp34 from NQ and serval other guns from other mods like TCE, and still no credit. he could at leaste have putted in the mod names he got the weapons from, or even just asked if it was okey, if he had asked i would had said yes, atleast to the mp40. the ppsh is one of our “special” modelers work lol.

(nUllSkillZ) #11

The downside of modding.

Not sure if assets that were created for W:ET mods are used in mods for other games without asking or credits.
That would be worse.

(phisherman) #12

Hey shagileo, have a look at my ReadMe:

Thanks to: [..]
# VS|Monkey for his VS-Packs I used as base for this mod.

I dont know what you expect, but that is what I think about “Giving Credits”.

All I did was making the Mod compatible to NQ, because this mod is very good and it would be a pity if it would only run on Jaymod. Also I reduced the filesize ( you should do that with your mod too, VS|Monkey ).
I’m sorry that I took your mod without asking, but how was I supposed to ask you? I didnt know you then.

A, btw, I didn’t publish the Mod as my work. All I did was uploading it, but I never said nowhere that I created this mod.

(shagileo) #13

[QUOTE=Phishermans Phriend;186192]Hey shagileo, have a look at my ReadMe:

Thanks to: [..]
# VS|Monkey for his VS-Packs I used as base for this mod.

I dont know what you expect, but that is what I think about “Giving Credits”.

All I did was making the Mod compatible to NQ, because this mod is very good and it would be a pity if it would only run on Jaymod. Also I reduced the filesize ( you should do that with your mod too, VS|Monkey ).
I’m sorry that I took your mod without asking, but how was I supposed to ask you? I didnt know you then.

A, btw, I didn’t publish the Mod as my work. All I did was uploading it, but I never said nowhere that I created this mod.[/QUOTE]

Well indeed you gave him credit, but you were not given permission to use it. (as you said)
The reason why Monkey made it on Jaymod, is because it was exclusive from his clan, just like the EF mod.
And unfortunately splatterladder stated: “…yet another mod of Phishermans Friend …”
ok, you edited the mod for NQ, but it looked like it was your work. Anyhow, I gave my opinion and it’s not my job to “argue” with you :slight_smile:

(twt_thunder) #14

well, atleast i removed a pk3 from downloads when i got told by ironmonkey that it was only stolen goods from them… it’s all about respect guys…

btw:I really don’t care if my models,skins well, anything is used…coz for me wolfenstein is about creating and sharing :slight_smile:
but i will make public releases of everything…

(AlphaRed12) #15

Stealing happens all over games but there isn’t much you can do. I was appalled when Tyrlop should me thel ink with the stolen material. Some people have no respect.

Alpha Red

(phisherman) #16

[QUOTE=shagileo;186200]The reason why Monkey made it on Jaymod, is because it was exclusive from his clan, just like the EF mod.[/quote]Yes, you might be right, but I thought this mod should be made public, because it was really good work. :slight_smile:

And unfortunately splatterladder stated: “…yet another mod of Phishermans Friend …”
Yes, they did, but as you can imagine, thats not my fault. :wink:

(-IronMonkey-) #17

wasn’t my intention to start this Martial Court :frowning:

btw i hope to find some trick to protect files

(Berzerkr) #18

Relax!

  1. No one will say anything if you use a few textures from others when you reworked them.
  2. If you build in stuff from others, credit it.
  3. If your mod is done, release it to the public. :slight_smile:

Back to topic:

pk3 protection is impossible.

(TomTom7777) #19

…[QUOTE=-IronMonkey-;186280]…

btw i hope to find some trick to protect files[/QUOTE]
–… …-
To protect from copying is unlikely (zip passwords are very weak even if you could support them).–. However you can at least protect your copyright -…if you can find a way to include things that the unauthorized will unknowing copy and not remove.
-…-
Put comments in any script or text data file formats - that support comments… Use unique names for things such that they can be traced back to you (example…-don’t use single character variable names, use something more unique including-… intentional misspelilngs). Embed hidden comments or author fields in other files that support them (like TGA, JPG and PK3). Add Steganography where possible (even add an unused alpha channel, or a watermark etc.). Add an extraneous file inside a deep directory. Etc.-…

And don’t forget to timestamp your work in some secure way to prove your claim is the oldest claim.

(ischbinz) #20

i think et lives from modifications -
for me i prefer to create my own works and release them -
i ll be happy if the mods are used anywhere :slight_smile:
and i m more happy if there are credits about that.
the x-mas packs we did for eco was used in parts for other x-mas packs -
and i was very happy about that :slight_smile:

without credits - beh unfair! all modders should know this - making a mod is really hard work! so the maker of a model texture should read his name in the readme like “orginal texture was made by blubb” and modified for nq by blaa…

but making a mod only for one special server is more than unrealistic, i think if this would work it will be like poison for the shrinking et community…