HGL
deep-jade
Fork Heroic
Hello, we are developing a launcher for pc games for Africa. We want to rely on Heroic.
Our goal is to have a launcher where we can directly develop interfaces and API integrations, plus an encryption component for executables to protect against hacking.
What can we legally do with the project, and what can't we do?
Thank you.
17 Replies
ambitious-aqua•3mo ago
Choosealicense gives a pretty good overview into the license that Heroic uses(GPLv3). But basically(anybody who know's better, please correct me) you are allowed to modify Heroic, distribute it, and use it for commercial and/or private use. You cannot make it closed source or change and/or hide the license. The link I gave allows you to view the GPLv3 license if you'd like to see it in its entirety
Choose a License
GNU General Public License v3.0
Permissions of this strong copyleft license are conditioned on making available complete source code of licensed works and modifications, which include larger works using a licensed work, under the same license. Copyright and license notices must be preserved. Contributors provide an express grant of patent rights.
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
Thank. Yes, what we couldn't push is keys used to protect the content and others libs because, games developers and publsihers in europe and us today don't know how to make games accessible in africa.
We have a fund from the European comission to try something. So instead of creating from scratch, we want to have an open source tool, with a lib to hash the exe, and protect developers against piracy.
Is it possible for example, to have a close version in our gitlab and time to time to release a github version, free from private keys and security elements ?
TY
ambitious-aqua•3mo ago
My guess(which is uneducated BTW) would be that if the keys are a separate program or tool from the heroic fork you want to create and don't use any of Heroic or any other open source tools code, then you don't need to make that open source. The only part that will need to be immediately and always open source is the client you make from the forked code. gogdl(the tool heroic uses to download and manage GOG games) for example could've been closed source since it's a separate tool from Heroic and doesn't contain any of it's code, so it wouldn't need to follow it's license.
TL;DR: Client will need to always be open source and follow the GPLv3 license, but any tools you create outside of it don't need to be
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
What is the issue with games accessibility?
You mentioned that.
ambitious-aqua•3mo ago
I am curious about that too, actually
fascinating-indigo•3mo ago
sound like you have something really specific you want to do, I'd recommend asking a lawyer if you plan to make a business out of this fork, cause it's not really clear what you are going to do at least for me
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
@"Leopard" and @Ally The Protogen in africa, people don't have access to games easily. Impossible to have access to steam because payment systems are not accepted except in south Africa. In 54 countries, juste 2 countries are accepted in Steam.
Also, there are very limited playstation and xbox. Everything is complicated.
yes, we will make business.
We have our own back end, games host system and payment gateways.
We wanted a launcher so users can install the launcher, browse the game, install it. We want to use Heroic for the launcher and we extend it to add a security layer, so the game starts only if you paid it. So we avoir piracy.
We will integrate payment systems inside it for developers in Europe and US. And we handle money transfer between Africa and the rest of the world.
From what i know regarding the GPL, we can use it,but we should release the source. Which is fine...
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
What i dont get is; how Heroic will make something possible vs current situation?
As those stores still wont accept those payment methods regardless of what client being used.
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
We handle the work about building the infrastructure(access, payment). We will use Heroic for launcher. They install the launcher and they can download the game.
We have publishers ok to give us games.
But should do everything to protect these games...
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
So you will have "kosted store" but pc client of it will be heroic.
So none of the existing store like Steam, EGS, Amazon etc are included.
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
yes, exactly.
We will just disable Steam and EGS for the moment.
A game that cost for example 15 dollars in us, in Africa, il will cost 1 dollar for example. So yes, we will disable Steam and the others providers.
We could activate them in a 2nd time for people in Africa, rich enough to pay. So they give us the money and we pay with our cards in France or US.
This is the global idea.
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
What are those publishers? As i assume none of the big shots would deal with small stores.
Even GOG has hard time with cutting deals.
What im trying to ask is, what kind of games will be there? Some local games from local developers?
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
We have many of them (80% indies and 20% AA or AAA). I can't drop their name here because discussion ongoing.
The thing is AAA ask for minnimu guarantee, things we can't pay because we do the dirty job to build the infrastructure in Africa.
But yes, most indies are ok than and big names need first big numbers and tractions.
For kind of games, we will have 80% action and adventure. 10% sport...and the rest divided between different genres.
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
Ok, so it is global games with regional pricing.
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
I would be wary about vampires here as it is a common practice.
https://www.reddit.com/r/steamregionaltricks/s/oqeZn1UQji
Moment they can abuse something, they will.
Reddit
r/steamregionaltricks
This is a community dedicated to regional pricing. Here, you'll find tips on acquiring regional prices, bypassing limitations, and solving issues with purchases across different platforms such as Steam, PSN, Xbox, Spotify and streaming services.
unwilling-turquoise•3mo ago
Which is also reason why Valve throw the towel and just started to impose USD everywhere, instead of local currencies.
deep-jadeOP•3mo ago
yes
yeah, we are aware of this...but studios are willing to try new distribution channels, this is why protection is so important for us.