New B5 game in the works

[Cyberkada]

Right now its fighter-only. A single-player demo will be released around Christmas. Cap ships are next. It will be released in the same manner as the B5 fighter sim "I've found her"

[Carl Sagan]

Who's the publisher, what format(s) this coming out for?

[Cyberkada]

Its cross-platform (Mac/Win32/Linux). It will be based upon B5Wars. Hopefully, Mongoose Publishing will take a look at publishing it. If not, its a freebie like "I've Found Her".

[I love Lyta]

Hrm, looks like an in game screen shot from the Homeworld B5 Module to me.

[Cyberkada]

Much higher quality ships and graphics then homeworld when released. Its not just a mod, but a full-fledged game. Early pre-alpha graphics now, but those are programmer graphics. The engine is almost complete.

Here is a first test of the Starfury's thrusters.


and of a Hyperion damaged:


Note the two jumppoints forming in the background.

[I love Lyta]

Nice stuff. Let's just hope this doesn't raise any legal issues.
Apart from that I hope to see more or less frequent updates on the progress.

[Carl Sagan]

That looks cool!!

[Darth_librarian]

Whilst its actual legality is in doubt, there are a ton of mods and self made games out there for B5 and other IP's that have existed for years, so it is probably safe at the mo.

Good work BTW, did you create your own models ? The engine looks great.

[raw_bean]

Just a nitpicky point of terminology: there's very little doubt, actually, that it's perfectly legal. No-one's going to be criminally prosecuted over it, unless the software used to make it was pirated or something like that. What it probably is, is in breach of copyright and violation of trademarks. That means WB could take civil action against it. Although as has been said, every indication is that they probably wouldn't bother, as they haven't with any other freeware games or mods that I've heard of.

[Jan]

Sorry to nitpick your nitpick but copyright and trademark infringement is illegal. No ifs, ands or buts about it.

Method or probability of prosecution is another matter.

Jan

[raw_bean]

According to a blog I read by a copyright lawyer, copyright or trademark infringement does not fall under the definition of 'illegal' as the law profession understands it. The method of prosecution distinguishes between a personal attempt to prove that someone has caused you harm or infringed on your rights, and a case where the state attempting to prove you have engaged in prohibited ('illegal') behaviour, ie. a crime.

I can't find the article at the minute, but I'll post a link if I do.

[Jan]

Perhaps you should read the copyright infringement info on any of your DVDs. It talks about the FBI investigating and prosecuting. They don't generally worry about civil matters.

Jan

[Triple F]

What are you using (software wise), looks a bit like the Independence Wars II engine.

[Cyberkada]

Its done using the Torque TGEA engine (www.garagegames.com), based (loosely) of the Tribes game engine.

Legal Stuff: thats why we are also working with the current licensee of anything B5 game related (B5:RPG and B5:CTA).

It will be a freeware release, and should receive the same WB acceptance as the "I've Found Her" fighter sim, 'The Babylon Project" and the dated, but good Homeworld Mod - all freeware releases.

[Calen]

Much higher quality ships and graphics then homeworld when released. Its not just a mod, but a full-fledged game. Early pre-alpha graphics now, but those are programmer graphics. The engine is almost complete.

Note the two jumppoints forming in the background.

Looks and sounds pretty interesting, look forward to trying it out. I haven't played and enjoyed a game of this type since Freelancer.