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Does freeware mean its legal?

Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, AlonsoRegistered User regular
edited April 2008 in Games and Technology
I found a freeware version of an old (very old) game, but I'm not sure that means it's not still teh warehz. How do I find out if I'm breaking the law (silly as it may seem, I actually care whether or not I'm stealing before I play it).

What could he have been thinking of when he shot his best friend? What in God's name can he be thinking of now?
Regina Fong on

Posts

  • FunkyWaltDoggFunkyWaltDogg Columbia, SCRegistered User regular
    edited April 2008
    If it really is freeware then it really is free. Is it specifically listed as such, by the publisher?

    FunkyWaltDogg on
  • TehSpectreTehSpectre Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    Freeware is free.

    TehSpectre on
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  • SzechuanosaurusSzechuanosaurus Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2008
    Yeah, freeware is a licensing method. It has to be released as freeware by the original publisher or developer. If this is the case, then it's safe.

    What game is it? Some old games have been officially re-released as freeware such as GTA and Beneath A Steel Sky etc. It shouldn't be too hard to find out if this game is genuine freeware or somebody mis-naming so-called abandonware, which generally isn't officially legal.

    Szechuanosaurus on
  • UncleSporkyUncleSporky Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    It's quite possible to release illegal freeware, but it wouldn't be illegal in terms of software piracy.

    UncleSporky on
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  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    Uhm, it's called xu4 and it's a freeware version of Ultima 4. Which is a fairly ancient game. It specifically says that it's freeware on the site.

    Regina Fong on
    What could he have been thinking of when he shot his best friend? What in God's name can he be thinking of now?
  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    edited April 2008
    I'm pretty sure Ultima 4 was released as freeware.

    Sir Carcass on
  • WillethWilleth Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    If it's a freeware version with a different name I don't think it's legal. If it was official, it'd just be called 'Ultima 4'.

    Willeth on
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  • FunkyWaltDoggFunkyWaltDogg Columbia, SCRegistered User regular
    edited April 2008
    According to Wikipedia, xu4 is a new engine for the game, which requires the original data files to run; however, Origin has permitted those files to be distributed with the Mac and Linux builds of the software.

    So if you're on one of those platforms, it's all good I guess.

    FunkyWaltDogg on
  • SzechuanosaurusSzechuanosaurus Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited April 2008
    Ok, well it needs the original Ultima IV files to compile and play it (for the graphics etc. I guess). It looks like Origin have allowed the Mac and Linux versions to be packaged along with XU4 for this purpose. According to this page, Origin made Ultima IV freeware to hype the launch of Ultima Ascension. It seems to show multiple hits for freeware download sites as well, so signs would seem to point towards this being a legitimate freeware interest.

    Szechuanosaurus on
  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    Szechuanosaurus wrote: »
    Ok, well it needs the original Ultima IV files to compile and play it (for the graphics etc. I guess). It looks like Origin have allowed the Mac and Linux versions to be packaged along with XU4 for this purpose. According to this page, Origin made Ultima IV freeware to hype the launch of Ultima Ascension. It seems to show multiple hits for freeware download sites as well, so signs would seem to point towards this being a legitimate freeware interest.


    Thanks! :)


    -edit-

    And yes, I'm going to be playing it on my Mac

    Regina Fong on
    What could he have been thinking of when he shot his best friend? What in God's name can he be thinking of now?
  • greeblegreeble Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    Neat, I run linux, and I loves me some Ultima. (probably my favorite series as a kid). Thanks guys.

    greeble on
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  • HoukHouk Nipples The EchidnaRegistered User regular
    edited April 2008
    I dunno why, but this thread makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Seeing people go out of their way to determine if it's okay to download a game will do that, I guess.

    Houk on
  • Regina FongRegina Fong Allons-y, Alonso Registered User regular
    edited April 2008
    Just a quick update in case anyone else ends up playing this. It's beta, and I've encountered some bugs, some of which have apparently been fixed in the daily builds (but not integrated into the beta yet) so be aware.

    Also, these sites will come in handy:

    Dungeon Maps

    Interactive Town and World Maps

    Regina Fong on
    What could he have been thinking of when he shot his best friend? What in God's name can he be thinking of now?
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Penny Arcade Forums› Games and Technology