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Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

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Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#1

Post by nomilk »

Releasing a game's source code allows it to be read, forked, and modded. It increases enthusiasm for the game/franchise.

What do games studios gain by not making source code for old games (when available) public?

The example I had in mind was Westwood who haven't released Red Alert 2 source code. (but the same question applies to any game studio / game).

Doom's source code was released and it had an vast impact on modding and enthusiasm for the game and its creators.

Why isn't it more common for studios to release source code for old games?

Re: Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#3

Post by linguae »

I would imagine that for some games there is still a lot of money to be made making the most out of 95-year copyright lengths, and while open sourcing games per se is definitely not a relinquishment of copyright, it could affect the profitability of further monetizing those games by relinquishing some control. For example, Nintendo has re-released its retro games in various ways; I have a Super Nintendo Classic I purchased in Japan in 2017 with about 20 retro Nintendo games, and Nintendo made classic Pokémon games available on the Nintendo 3DS for some time before closing the online store for that platform.

Now, granted, there is a huge online community that does ROM hacks and disassembly, but Nintendo has been known to aggressively defend its IP (see the shutdown of the Yuzu project, for example). As a big fan of classic Pokémon games it would be cool to see a sanctioned source code release of these games, but I just don’t see it happening; there is too much money to be made re-selling classic Pokémon games in a “Disney vault” or subscription (Disney+) fashion until the copyright expires.

Re: Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#4

Post by fragmede »

It's a bunch of work, often involving lawyers who bill by the very expensive hour, for basically no payoff. On top of that there's a secret in the industry though: there's a lot of maybe not entirely legal code copying going on. Hiring someone who's made a similar game in the past can mean that they come with source code that could be copied to shortcut the time to write code for the new game. Releasing source would expose this teensy little problem.

Re: Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#5

Post by nomilk »

fragmede wrote: post #4

It's a bunch of work, often involving lawyers who bill by the very expensive hour, for basically no payoff. On top of that there's a secret in the industry though: there's a lot of maybe not entirely legal code copying going on. Hiring someone who's made a similar game in the past can mean that they come with source code that could be copied to shortcut the time to write code for the new game. Releasing source would…

Yikes, never considered that! Interestingly, those required to sign off on release of source code (e.g. company execs) may not even be able to be certain the source doesn't contain such 'borrowed' code (since devs may have left the company a decade ago, and they likely wouldn't directly admit to 'borrowing' even if contacted/asked). Can see why it's risky.

Re: Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#8

Post by joezydeco »

fragmede wrote: post #4

It's a bunch of work, often involving lawyers who bill by the very expensive hour, for basically no payoff. On top of that there's a secret in the industry though: there's a lot of maybe not entirely legal code copying going on. Hiring someone who's made a similar game in the past can mean that they come with source code that could be copied to shortcut the time to write code for the new game. Releasing source would…

Not just lifted code but patent-violating code. Ever wonder why GPU makers don't open source their drivers?

Re: Ask HN: Why do games companies not release source code for old games?

#10

Post by bitwize »

fragmede wrote: post #4

It's a bunch of work, often involving lawyers who bill by the very expensive hour, for basically no payoff. On top of that there's a secret in the industry though: there's a lot of maybe not entirely legal code copying going on. Hiring someone who's made a similar game in the past can mean that they come with source code that could be copied to shortcut the time to write code for the new game. Releasing source would…

> Hiring someone who's made a similar game in the past can mean that they come with source code that could be copied to shortcut the time to write code for the new game.

I'm to understand that back in the day, the common practice of Japanese game developers using funny nicknames (like "S.Miyahon" for Shigeru Miyamoto) was implemented by the game companies themselves to dissuade rival developers from poaching their top talent. Perhaps they were concerned about intellectual property leaks.

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