TGE/A License Clause - A little confusing.

#1 I don't think GG will tell you not to create a starter kit if you want to. The wording probably needs to be changed because it is confusing, but AFAIK, GG has never told anyone to stop working on a starter kit.

#2 @Ted - what about the MyDreamRpg Kit? That was produced and the producers had to stop selling it.

@Ian - Basically the normal indie/commercial license is granting you the right to produce a game and sell it, give it for free or do whatever you want with your game. If you wish to produce another type of product such as a starter kit, technology add-ons,etc then you'll to speak to GG themselves to get their consent to making such a product and no doubt they'd want to carefully QA it, etc.

I'm sure the guys that made vSide - a social networking application with Torque would have had to get a special license.

I think the old web site used to have some more detail on it regarding that side of things but with the new design I can't see it, so if you're after writing a different sort of product then my first step would be to contact the Garage to discuss it.

#3 Hey Andy, thanks for the reply. So does that mean all the guys who have done these kits and packs, have had special permission from GG themselves?

#4

Quote:what about the MyDreamRpg Kit? That was produced and the producers had to stop selling it.

I'd have to look into that, but there were more reasons than just saying "you're making a starter kit, you have to stop", from what I remember. I could be wrong with that though, in which case I'll be just as confused as the rest of you guys ;)

#5 @Ted - There quite probably were more reasons and to be honest if they thought nothing other than we don't think this is right for Torque then GG would be perfectly within their rights to stop it. Obviously that doesn't make much sense as more starter kits and add-on features would benefit Torque so I'd see this more a case of protecting their property and doing what's right for it and the community.

Imagine they pass a product that ends up being rubbish, no support and the developers vanish after a month or two - people would start emailing GG asking them to resolve it, even though the guys at GG had nothing to do with it, so in that sense I'm sure they look not just at features when granting a license for a non-game project i.e. add-on, starter kit but also at the quality, support and a bunch of other stuff.

@Ian - Yes it does, basically there is nothing to stop you working on a kit but before you can release it publicly you'd need it to be granted a license by Garagegames. So if you're after developing a kit I'd suggest one of two routes:

1. Document what you're after doing - including features in a fairly detailed manner and then email it over to GG, Derek Bronson is the guy at the Garage who specifically looks after 3rd Party Product development and works with the likes of Jeff Faust on the AFX kit and hopefully he'll offer you some advice on if it might get the go-ahead or what GG would like to see included/changed to approve it.

2. Write it as a kit but implement a little game with it, nothing fancy but enough to show off the features and then spark a discussion with Derek - you stand a lot more chance this way as you've physically got something produced to show off.

They're friendly guys at the Garage and whilst they obviously can't spend all day chatting and offering support to everyone who has an idea for the next greatest kit, add-on feature, etc they're sure going to listen to people when you've got a solid idea or product.

#6 Thanks Andy, we aren't actually making a kit we were just curious about the clause for possible future products and also just general information. :) Thanks for your help though.