PocketSyndicate *repost

[Jeff]

<<< I know that thread should be in the developer's discussion, but forgive me, as I'm not the first to be off topic. (and I dont think anyone reads the developer's discussion anyway) >>><br><br>Basically, I want to get started on a PPC version of BullFrog's (now EA) Syndicate Wars.  I realize there is no source for it (a port would be almost impossable anyway) but I don't believe the engine would be very difficult to rewrite (nothing close to the difficulty of PocketQuake).  The only problem I can see would be extracting maps/graphics/sounds from BF's data files.<br><br>Does anyone have any suggestions/ideas??  Would anyone be interested in a version of Syndicate??  Is this even legal??

[randall]

You can't use their intellectual property, which includes the graphics, maps, sounds, etc. that are specific to their game.<br><br>Many MODS have been shut down because they utilized anothers intellectual property.<br><br>Reading the datafiles is fairly simple, it's the rendering/logic engine that's so complex.

[Jeff]

If the port required the data files to be copied from the original CD (they would not included with the distro), then I think this would qualify as "fair use".  It would be open source, hence no profit, and for a game thats not being produced anymore (BullFrog never even released the Win95 patch), no real damages.<br><br>Legalities aside, I still think the engine would be simple.  It's really not a 3D game at all - just a basic isometrc tile blit'ing engine would be needed.  But I have *no* clue on how they set up those data files.. have you ever looked at them?  ..some ugly sh*t

[Warren]

Maybe you can do the original Syndicate, which I think is better than the newer Syndicate Wars. The old one has real guns and is more violent in my view. And because the old Syndicate is older, it may be easy to port than Syndicate Wars. I remember the ol' days of Syndicate, that was my first aerial view game, and I was addicted to it. Then I got Syndicate wars, and the sequel is not as good as the original. I mean, Syndicate Wars doesn't have the Uzi!!! Instead it has plasma guns, gausse guns, laser guns... where as Syndicate has Uzis, mini guns, machine guns... and it's bloodier. Thanks.

[Dr. Phat]

Yeah- that law was passed because Atari bitched at Sierra On-Line in like 1981 for taking Pac-Man and made it Gobbler which was better and faster.  They settled out of court, but it was a Class-Action case.

[Moose or Chuck]

Warren, the older the game the harder it is to port. Maybe not clone, but porting is harder. <br>I've never played Syndicate anything so I don't know the game you're talking about? Was it that 2D Platform game?

[Jeff]

It was basically a 2D overhead view point & click shooter, no real "rendering" involved.  Definately more a strategy game than action.  However, even the newest Syndicate (Syndicate Wars) was originally made for DOS (although I was incorrect before, it should run on win9x/me).  I don't think a clone would have any problem running on a PPC... if you haven't checked the game out you really should.. you can probably find it for $2.99 at your local software store.<br><br>And Syndicate Wars did have Uzis!  That's what you started with.. although you could always ditch them for the minigun before playing the 1st level.  Plus you could play either the COTN Epoch or the Corp.  Fun.

[Warren]

Maybe Syndicate Wars did have the Uzi, but Syndicate Wars doesn't have as much blood, only this green shield thing around the person. Still, I just think Syndicate is better than Syndicate Wars. Remember the persuaderton, that thing was funny.