Author Topic: Star Citizen Breaking News  (Read 281240 times)

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #360 on: January 21, 2018, 08:54:12 AM »
Indeed. And this is why it is so important to emphasize that whether CIG/RSI removed CryEngine is,  for the lawsuit, a disputed point of fact. CryTek did not say, "yes, we grant that CryEngine was removed with the switch to LY," but rather left room for some fun in discovery. CIG says they removed all coprighted material, CryTek disputes this. This wrinkle is first made explicit in their reply to the MtD. Yes, it's what Derek has been saying all along.



Above is what Ben Parry claims happened, as I wrote in this Dec 27, 2016 blog. And my guess is that coming from a company engineer, it's going to come back to haunt them.

It doesn't matter that LY contains CE 3.8. What matters is that the Crytek and Amazon licenses are DIFFERENT in the eyes of the law. It's like you buying a White box item, vs a retail item. They are the same items, but the latter probably comes with longer warranty, nice box, manuals etc. Also the same as getting a warranty replacement (e.g. from Apple) which isn't the same as the original.

That Amazon built Lumberyard from CryEngine doesn't mean that anyone using LY automatically gets a license to use CryEngine, which is actually being sold separately. That would be like claiming that buying the White box item entitles you to 12 month warranty from the manufacturer, though the White box seller only gave you 90 days.

Besides, they're not even claiming that they didn't switch. They're claiming that they DID switch even though the dispute is that the GLA does not permit them to do so.

And the reason that I say they didn't switch, but are pretending that they did, is because they know that the underlying CryEngine code they built Star Engine with, is similar to what LY is built on. Unfortunately for them, anyone looking at the LY changelog can see that they have deviated so far from CE3.8, that it is inconceivable that CIG were able to switch at all, let alone in under two days. And even if CIG were still on that porting effort since Dec 2016, and more so now with this lawsuit, they can't forge code version control logs, nor the files.

So even if they managed to mask it in such a way that they tracked all the files from the stock CE version, matched them to the LY version and copied over, they would still be busted via their own version control, as well as the fact that LY has changed a LOT of the stock CE files. I know this because I have both stock CE and LY.
Heck, I was able to disassemble their own exe back when I was posting about CE spin locks.

If you are using files from stock CE, you are on the Crytek license.

If you are using files from LY (derivative CE), you are on the Amazon license.

Look at it this way. Several car manufacturers use the same air bags. You can literally take one airbag from the same manufacturer, and put it in another vehicle that uses the same airbag make and model. However, because different vendors have their own serial and part numbers, which vary from the manufacturer's own original ones, you can easily trace that an airbag from vendor B that you put in your vehicle, does not match the original that came from vendor A. That's how we get into things like generic auto parts, video cards, medicine etc.

Here are excerpts from my thread yesterday.

https://twitter.com/dsmart/status/954761797134880769
Quote
As a dev, I still maintain that CIG have NOT switched to LY, that they are STILL using their custom CE3, while using LY parts (e.g. AWS SDK) which are required by Amazon in order to use their engine.

I remain 100% confident that I am RIGHT, and that they're going to be exposed.

https://twitter.com/dsmart/status/954762159891902465
Quote
The argument that because LY uses CE3 and so the switch was OK, falls flat when you consider that a license to CE3 is NOT a license to LY.

And this is why we have version control repo logs.

Goddamn! I want to be on that discovery forensics team.

Why did this switch, or lied that they switched?

My theory is that they KNEW the GLA only permitted them ONE game. By switching to LY, they avoid that breach. Except they didn't actually do it.

Also they no longer had to pay Crytek 100K Euros a year for support contract.

UPDATE:

Someone on my Discord just pointed that in this Jan 4th, 2017 video @ 2:25, you can see core CryEngine code (GetFlashPlayer) that's not in Lumberyard.

https://robertsspaceindustries.com/comm-link/transmission/15666-Bugsmashers

Quote
At 2:25 there's some code on screen, which looks very much like CryEngine code and not Lumberyard. CE uses scaleform UI, which is basically flash. LY does not have this, does not come with a scaleform license, and uses a different UI system. So 2.6 was CryEngine, and not Lumberyard. The switch never happened. Called it. They just cherrypicked network stuff from LY onto their codebase, keeping CE specific stuff, essentially still being CryEngine.

Quote
And yeah, if you go as far as 3:26 then it appears that he's editing a customised version of the file CRYENGINE\Code\CryEngine\CryAction\FlashUI\FlashUIElement.cpp

As PederP says, this was part of CryEngine and Lumberyard doesn't have any FlashUI code in it because it uses a different UI. (see repo here for what survives from CE)

And although they've only published a couple of lines for the public to see, the greater point is that it does seem that they're not meant to be using that file any more, if they have switched over to Lumberyard. No doubt that this is why CT are claiming that the infringement might be ongoing.

And if they are still using CE's FlashUI... does that also mean that they must still be using Scaleform? Because that was the subject of the Exhibit 4 document (the one with CR's sig on it) and it's a sub-license to allow CIG to use Autodesk's Scaleform within CE - middleware software that Amazon have dropped - and the license to use was only valid under the terms of the GLA.

So if they're saying they're not under the CE GLA, and if they are still using CE FlashUI with 3rd party Scaleform to display HUD's and Mobiglass (or even just for 2.6.0.0 seen in the video) well this could get even messier yet.

They claim to have switched December 2016, the video was recorded (according to the desktop clock) and published early January 2017.

I hope there's a legit reason for this, but I can't see how this is not as bad as it looks.

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE!
More Ben Parry comments regarding The Big Switch


https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/259596-The-Star-Citizen-Thread-v5?p=4943747&viewfull=1#post4943747


https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/259596-The-Star-Citizen-Thread-v5?p=4943734&viewfull=1#post4943734


https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/259596-The-Star-Citizen-Thread-v5?p=4943682&viewfull=1#post4943682


https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/259596-The-Star-Citizen-Thread-v5?p=4943353&viewfull=1#post4943353
« Last Edit: January 23, 2018, 02:24:58 PM by dsmart »
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #361 on: February 26, 2018, 02:45:24 PM »
Oh Look, Dan Tracy, brother of Star Citizen's Sean Tracy, and who left the project amid much controversy back in 2015 - is launching a Kickstarter for space combat game.

No word yet why he changed his name to Dan Adams though.

Also, he's using UE5 :)

https://www.dsogaming.com/news/former-lead-technical-designer-on-star-citizen-reveals-new-six-degrees-of-freedom-space-combat-game/

No idea yet why he changed his name though.

I also just found out that the NDA he sends out for the game, uses Dan Adams.

And his name in the credits for Mechwarrior Living Legends was also changed.

Time to go sleuth this.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dantr/

UPDATE(1): A Goon says he took his wife's last name

UPDATE(2) He responded https://twitter.com/KazeOfKami/status/968273115544395776

"@dsmart Well, would you want to be associated with Sean Tracy? Yeah neither do I. ;)"
« Last Edit: February 27, 2018, 07:50:03 AM by dsmart »
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

David-2

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #362 on: February 26, 2018, 05:06:46 PM »
It's advantageous to have a name closer to the top of an alphabetical sort.

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #363 on: February 27, 2018, 07:50:24 AM »
It's advantageous to have a name closer to the top of an alphabetical sort.

LOL!! Well, he responded https://twitter.com/KazeOfKami/status/968273115544395776

Quote
@dsmart Well, would you want to be associated with Sean Tracy? Yeah neither do I. ;)
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

jwh1701

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #364 on: February 27, 2018, 08:27:38 AM »
LOL!! Well, he responded https://twitter.com/KazeOfKami/status/968273115544395776

Amazing they were aware of you post so quickly, went to the kick starter page for the game.
Not sure what to make of it, based on what was shown. Hopefully they loose the 3rd person
view, footage showed mission that required asteroids to be destroyed, then I guess alien
orbs were hiding in them an attacked.

From twitter: Calling all Wardens!
Sounds somewhat familiar.


Update: Watched all the youtube vids: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0r3SPSiwoQMIqjYaKomswA
Seamless Transitions from Station to Space
Manage Earths Orbital Defenses
Manage Orbital Fleets

Honestly what is shown is not to exciting for me, nostalgia from playing asteroids maybe a little.
They will need to add an extraordinary amount of gameplay than what is shown to garner my interest.
« Last Edit: February 28, 2018, 08:08:48 AM by jwh1701 »

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #365 on: February 27, 2018, 12:48:06 PM »
Yeah, it's nothing special. You could just go and get Everspace on Steam
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

Stilo

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #366 on: February 28, 2018, 01:52:30 AM »
Honestly, the RTS mixing with Space Shooter is not so common, i remember only XCom:Interceptor (that i enjoyed at that time).

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #367 on: March 01, 2018, 10:50:17 AM »
Hey, remember how CIG applied for an received tax credits in the UK, then took out loans against it?

Well, they have to complete the game, SQ42, within 3yrs of that grant. Which means 2018-2019. Or else.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi-british-film-certification-cultural-test-for-video-games-guidance-notes-2016-03.pdf

Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

StanTheMan

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #368 on: March 01, 2018, 12:01:34 PM »
I imagine they could apply for another interim or there will be some fudge to continue the gravy train.

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #369 on: March 05, 2018, 09:45:24 AM »
*BREAKING*

Several at F42-UK (Star Citizen)  left|on way out. Studios (e.g. Everywhere Games who use Lumberyard) aggressively recruiting - and have several agencies helping them staff 100+ positions.

CIG/RSI freaking out and offering a lot of incentives for people to stay.

https://twitter.com/dsmart/status/970698828641861632
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

jwh1701

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #370 on: March 05, 2018, 12:35:32 PM »
*BREAKING*

Several at F42-UK (Star Citizen)  left|on way out. Studios (e.g. Everywhere Games who use Lumberyard) aggressively recruiting - and have several agencies helping them staff 100+ positions.

CIG/RSI freaking out and offering a lot of incentives for people to stay.

https://twitter.com/dsmart/status/970698828641861632

Seen plenty of talk that they are paying very low wages and in addition to the frustration I would feel with CR's management style. Few times at IBM and other companies although not often but they would change the scope of the project and to be setback can be frustrating. Who wants to sit around and refactor and polish over and over, maybe pee wee herman might a good choice for the polishing team at cig if the spot is open.

My first meme for SC as I get tired of here about polishing:

« Last Edit: March 05, 2018, 03:51:30 PM by jwh1701 »

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #371 on: June 25, 2018, 11:15:14 AM »
A Star Citizen backer sued CIG/RSI for $4,500 in small claims court. Now has 07/13/18 court date.

https://www.reddit.com/r/starcitizen_refunds/comments/8qj6hn/start_your_morning_right/

Case # 18SMSC01860

https://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

N0mad

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #372 on: June 25, 2018, 11:24:02 AM »
The guy seems pretty well prepared. How much of a headache is this going to be for CIG if the court rules against them?

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #373 on: June 25, 2018, 02:16:59 PM »
The guy seems pretty well prepared. How much of a headache is this going to be for CIG if the court rules against them?

While I have no confidence that he will prevail, if CIG doesn't defend (they will) this, and they lose by default, it will cause them serious problems down the road because it will just set a precedent and open the flood gates for similar action.

My guess is that they are going to answer, then file a motion to dismiss due to the arbitration clause in the TOS. If that happens, then he will have to re-file an arbitration case where they are likely to win since it tends to favor corporations. If he goes that far, it will be very interesting to see their arguments. They're going to have to convince the arbitrator that they have somehow satisfied their obligations to him, and delivered a product. Aside from them having to make that whole "it's crowd-funding" argument. It's going to be several shades of hilarious - and I can't wait.

Since 2015 as I was tracking their various TOS changes, I had said that they were doing it in order to rip backers off by walking back various promises (refunds, financial accountability etc).

Here we are.

Streetroller, the guy was the subject of my refund debacle blog from 2016, also had filed a defective lawsuit in NJ earlier this year. That one was so defective, it didn't survive a motion to dismiss this past April.

UPDATE: Looks like this morning OSC had a similar post about another lawsuit threat
« Last Edit: June 25, 2018, 03:35:00 PM by dsmart »
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

dsmart

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Re: Star Citizen - Breaking News
« Reply #374 on: June 29, 2018, 01:00:06 PM »
Whelp! Chris is currently live on Twitch and just confirmed (@ 01:01:23) that Squadron 42 is NOT coming in 2018.

Yup. I called that one back in Dec 2017.
« Last Edit: June 29, 2018, 05:35:32 PM by dsmart »
Star Citizen isn't a game. It's a TV show about a bunch of characters making a game. It's basically "This is Spinal Tap" - except people think the band is real.

 

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