Licensing: Best way to get tools to level designers?
by Matt Kronyak · in Torque 3D Professional · 04/17/2009 (2:08 pm) · 5 replies
This is directed mostly at GG but if this issue has been covered and I missed where it was explained (most of these T3D topics have gotten huge) I would appreciate it if anyone could point me in the right direction.
My situation is this (and I suspect others may be in the same situation as well): My team and I have been developing a game in TGEA that we intend to port to T3D. I am the only one on my team that has ever done any work on the TGEA engine (and this will continue with T3D). Right now I am also the only one that does any work in Torque Script (our back end server technology is something we created with C# / .NET).
We also have an art / level design team that handles creation of all of our 3D assets, concept art and level design and creation. This is a team that we outsource work to.
Ultimately my question is, what is the best way to get the level design tools to the level design team and satisfy any licensing requirements? I recall some mention of being able to purchase the "basic" version of T3D for artists / level designers and then being allowed to give them the additional tools / exe that support the "Pro" functionality. Is that accurate? I personally will not be using the level editors at all but I want to ensure that the level design team has access to all of the advanced tools and functionality of the Pro version. If that means buying additional Pro licenses, I understand.
Also, for smaller teams like the one I work with, what is the ideal way to actually get the software in the hands of the level design team? It doesn't appear that I could buy the license and then send them the program. Would it just be best to send them the funds and have them make their purchase on their own account?
My situation is this (and I suspect others may be in the same situation as well): My team and I have been developing a game in TGEA that we intend to port to T3D. I am the only one on my team that has ever done any work on the TGEA engine (and this will continue with T3D). Right now I am also the only one that does any work in Torque Script (our back end server technology is something we created with C# / .NET).
We also have an art / level design team that handles creation of all of our 3D assets, concept art and level design and creation. This is a team that we outsource work to.
Ultimately my question is, what is the best way to get the level design tools to the level design team and satisfy any licensing requirements? I recall some mention of being able to purchase the "basic" version of T3D for artists / level designers and then being allowed to give them the additional tools / exe that support the "Pro" functionality. Is that accurate? I personally will not be using the level editors at all but I want to ensure that the level design team has access to all of the advanced tools and functionality of the Pro version. If that means buying additional Pro licenses, I understand.
Also, for smaller teams like the one I work with, what is the ideal way to actually get the software in the hands of the level design team? It doesn't appear that I could buy the license and then send them the program. Would it just be best to send them the funds and have them make their purchase on their own account?
#2
So long as the level designers will be able to use the "pro" tools that route should work out ok.
04/20/2009 (1:10 pm)
@Chris: In that case simply gifting the funds for the basic version to the level designers seems more cost effective for small teams in our situation. I could go through 10 artists / level designers (something that is highly unlikely; the art guys we have have been with us for over a year and a half) for the rate of one studio setup.So long as the level designers will be able to use the "pro" tools that route should work out ok.
#3
04/26/2009 (1:46 am)
To verify. I only have to pay a one time fee of $3000.00 to get all goodness from the studio license. This includes the "develop software other than games?" 
#4
If you have no artists, you must spend the $1000.00 for Pro and still spend the $3000.00 on Studio to "develop software other than games". Yes, I asked, and you can do this. Garage Games will be more than happy to take your money.
**REMEMBER** Studio is not technically a license to the game engine. Torque 3D Studio license does not come with the game engine. (bolded for clarity) All Studio is, is a way to manage your Pro and Basic licenses. Yes it comes with some added abilities, but no game engine, no tools (other than license management), and no magical unicorns to make games for you.
Like I said, when I spoke with Davey Jackson from Garage Games licensing, I was very specific about this. So, unless they have changed something in the last few weeks and not informed anyone, then this is the way it works.
04/27/2009 (6:41 pm)
No. You have to pay $1000.00 for Pro ( not including the current discount) then pay $250.00 per artist, then pay $3000.00 for Studio to manage those licenses.If you have no artists, you must spend the $1000.00 for Pro and still spend the $3000.00 on Studio to "develop software other than games". Yes, I asked, and you can do this. Garage Games will be more than happy to take your money.
**REMEMBER** Studio is not technically a license to the game engine. Torque 3D Studio license does not come with the game engine. (bolded for clarity) All Studio is, is a way to manage your Pro and Basic licenses. Yes it comes with some added abilities, but no game engine, no tools (other than license management), and no magical unicorns to make games for you.
Like I said, when I spoke with Davey Jackson from Garage Games licensing, I was very specific about this. So, unless they have changed something in the last few weeks and not informed anyone, then this is the way it works.
#5
studio license is just access to license managment for groups and added abilities (non-games projects, wavable logo, etc).
Having the studio license you will still need the engine licenses to work and manage. - One per seat
04/28/2009 (3:07 am)
that's pretty much the idea i got aswellstudio license is just access to license managment for groups and added abilities (non-games projects, wavable logo, etc).
Having the studio license you will still need the engine licenses to work and manage. - One per seat
Torque 3D Owner Chris Harpan
Default Studio Name
As it goes, according to licensing, what you're supposed to do is buy Pro, get basic for your art team, and also pay the $3000.00 for Studio so you can manage those extra licenses (ie; someone quits the team and you keep the license and give it to the next member, etc.) (Also, technically Studio is not a license, it's just a way to manage licenses, you still have to buy Pro version, so trust me, I think the pricing structure is messed up).
That's the way Garage Games want you to do it and is what I was told by Davey Jackson from licensing.
Considering I work the same way you do, I'm still considering my options, but I'm not so keen on paying $3k for a management tool, after not only buying my Pro version, but the artists versions as well.