I think part of the comment is related to the typically much more lackluster management of video game source code, historically.
If I recall (as an example) Final Fantasy 8 had to be redone based on the PC port rather than original source code because, well, nobody cared about that back then.
The situation has almost certainly improved since then. Still, we have to remember that cases like Doom and Quake where there was cleanish source code was an exception, not the norm.
Doubly so when there are 'licensed' libraries or middleware involved, stuff coming to mind being:
- DMX sound driver (Doom)
- RAD tools (e.x. Warcraft/Diablo for cutscene video)
- Renderware (GTA2/3 and Vice City, among others)
- Console SDKs (in the case of console games)
And, again, sure. It's possible that if the source code is clean enough, you can safely rip those things out without needing legal review. But if the source isn't clean enough (and a lot of games, its not) there is a concern.
Doubly so when it comes to console only releases and not wanting to accidentally anger a manufacturer by unintentionally exposing an undiscovered exploit.
seems a good price to pay, it gives that guy something to do before he can switch off the server/product.
I think part of the comment is related to the typically much more lackluster management of video game source code, historically.
If I recall (as an example) Final Fantasy 8 had to be redone based on the PC port rather than original source code because, well, nobody cared about that back then.
The situation has almost certainly improved since then. Still, we have to remember that cases like Doom and Quake where there was cleanish source code was an exception, not the norm.
Doubly so when there are 'licensed' libraries or middleware involved, stuff coming to mind being:
- DMX sound driver (Doom) - RAD tools (e.x. Warcraft/Diablo for cutscene video) - Renderware (GTA2/3 and Vice City, among others) - Console SDKs (in the case of console games)
And, again, sure. It's possible that if the source code is clean enough, you can safely rip those things out without needing legal review. But if the source isn't clean enough (and a lot of games, its not) there is a concern.
Doubly so when it comes to console only releases and not wanting to accidentally anger a manufacturer by unintentionally exposing an undiscovered exploit.
Easy for you to say, if you're not paying the cost!