Piracy and multiplayer ?

[Darkwolf]

Dear ED,

 

I've come across several pictures of "unnofficial DCS mods" around facebook lately. Those are flight simulator X 3D model hacked, obviously stolen and ported to DCS. I already noticed a Microsoft original FSX FA18 and a LotusSim L39, Canberra PR9 that a kid is exploiting.

 

The fact is that some legit people are working on a F18 & L39 - meaning MP servers will open with those slots. Those dudes may be able to hop-in and fly in hacked, and possibly cheated aircraft ? Will some sort of protection be implemented ?

 

 

Thanks.

[Flagrum]

Afaik the problem of these mods is more or less only that the distributor of them might not have the IP rights of the external 3d model that is used.

 

In regards to cheating in MP this should be no issue, because these are only 3d models that usually use the avionics, cockpit and flight model of an existing playable DCS stock aircraft. So they gain no additional capabilities. Even if they try to replicate the (external) look of an existing (or coming) DCS aircraft - it is just about the looks. The internals are coded in a .DLL file which is protected by a digital rights management system that "can not be hacked".

[winchesterdelta1]

I don't think you understand how it works. Those FSX mods are not using the DCS external model and the server host has those FSX add-ons not installed. So it's impossible to join a server with a add-on that is not loaded on the server. And if the FSX add-ons are not using the DCS external module other people without that FSX modules would not be able to see them anyway.

 

You are only able to see the other "legit" F-18c's on the server is because that addon uses the vanilla DCS F-18A external module and FM. If you want to fly it you need the full addon made by those "legit" people.

Edited April 17, 2014 by winchesterdelta1

[Darkwolf]

Well - i've seen pictures of cockpits that are from FSX. Not 3D models that are from ED. :music_whistling:

[xxJohnxx]

The L39 and F-18 on the virtual aerobatics server for example are mods, which use the F-15 cockpit. I don't think porting over FSX cockpits is that easy...

[winchesterdelta1]

Well - i've seen pictures of cockpits that are from FSX. Not 3D models that are from ED. :music_whistling:

 

Would still not work if it was only the cockpit. Because the server requires those files as well for them to be able to join. Otherwise it will just reject your connection.

[shagrat]

Interesting wording: piracy! There are a lot of countries in the world, where intellectual property is not guaranteed by law... in a communist country, by definition everything is owned by the people, so depending on where you live, things may have a complete different name. What is "Piracy" in one country may be seen as "development of communal property" in another... :D

As said before: even if the graphics from FSX planes can be modded into DCS - external or cockpit - all important stuff, like Flight Model, Avionics, systems interaction with the SIM world, all this is tied into DCS on dll level... if it where possible to simply "port" a module from FSX to DCS like that, we would have seen Razbaam, Coretex, etc. doing dozens of planes by now!

 

And for my personal opinion: I would not care where a good modeled plane comes from. That's for the lawyers to fight and bicker about. When I listen to a good remix of an old song I don't care about the legal fees and agreements for the remixer, as well. I just enjoy the music. ;)

[SkateZilla]

Guys, Be VERY CAREFUL with this conversation, as Piracy Discussion is Against the forum rules.

1.8. - Material and Links to material That includes information on and / or Promotes Software piracy is Strictly prohibited.

 

That being said, I've seen the multi-media involving the same content (Items from VRS, Aerosoft etc) being ripped and ported to DCS. They were posted here and they were promptly deleted.

 

Without going into details, I seriously doubt it will be a concern for DCS:F-18C or L-39 Users.

 

The best thing to do at this point, is to notify the Studio via Email with Details and let them take care of it.

And as I said, if any of that content is posted here, the penalty will likely be severe.