map encryption

[Horve]

a simple requestor
Me and dnmr have made predmod and now decided to take the fecker down so some tardos reinvented the mod and now request for my custom maps. I personally want those specific maps to be used only on my server without others taking credit, especially when we're going to start the mod up after I get some more done.

So I propose this: make it impossible for players see the names of the maps they play on if the server is configured that way. All the next map [map name] would be something like next map ***
It has nothing to do with raping the maps or whatnot, just don't let players know what they play on. It isn't supposed to be a perfect system, but it works if you have a gazillion files in the Maps folder and it will take ages to find out the one you want without knowing the name nor the length of the title.
same goes for when downloading (downloading ***.pms)
and the map would be temporary and accessed from the source only, having the file itself would be unthinkable

something like a tarded copyright system

I don't want people editing the maps, is it possible to make them locked/impossible to edit
That would also prevent bastages from messing around with default soldat maps and creating lame-ass ripoffs if you make it impossible to do so.
Of course they would still be playable and could be possessed by players and used by them

[BombSki]

if someone really wants to find out which map it is, they can just move all other maps to a temp folder and then join the server. your system fails.
other than that i dont see why youd want to keep your maps to yourself, be happy other people want to use them.

[STM1993]

Maybe I got another suggestion.

You somehow encrypt the map, so it becomes inaccessible by any map editor or whatever. So people can't modify that map and then call it their own. But before you encrypt the map, you make a backup for yourself that is non-encrypted so only YOU can modify it in future. You may also add a message inside the map to state that if the map were found elsewhere, it'd be considered stolen. Then you can also add a message in your server using a script to tell players that nowhere else should the custom maps be found unless stated otherwise.

Sure, people may still be able to use the map, but they can't call it their own or edit it and everyone knows they've gotten it illegally. You can somehow sue them for copyright, tell THEIR server hosts to shut down their servers if they do not remove those maps.

If you do that (or something similar), I have another suggestion for you - host more servers in various locations. I personally love the predator mod, but I'd like to be able to find a server made by you whereby the ping is not above 300 for me.



Personally, I don't support keeping maps only to yourself and your own server, but knowing that there are idiots out there, I wouldn't mind supporting the idea of protecting your work so that people do not try to copy the work and then re-release it under their names.

[EnEsCe]

It is impossible to stop players taking your maps.

[miketh2005]

What about map encyrption like script encryption, Enesce?

[EnEsCe]

Not the same thing at all

[ElephantHunter]

You're outta luck, kiddo. Unfortunately such encryption would simply take too much time to implement.

My suggestion to you is to digitally watermark your maps somehow. This way if anybody comes around with a copycat you'll have proof. The easiest way to do this would be to hide your name somewhere on the map. If you want to get more advanced, watermark your custom scenery using existing watermark tools.

A PMS watermark utility could be an interesting fan project.

[chutem]

How about making it so that compiling the map puts it into an un-editable format?

You could always take a look at the creative commons stuff that people tend to use on DA.

[ElephantHunter]

How about making it so that compiling the map puts it into an un-editable format?

You could always take a look at the creative commons stuff that people tend to use on DA.

In theory there could be a "compiled" format that contains an image snapshot of the map along with physics info. While this is possible and everything, it would take much time to implement.

If copyright is your game just ask (kindly) that nobody use your maps.

[iDante]

In the map caption put like... THIS BELONGS ON MY SERVER ONLY ANYWHERE ELSE IS STOLEN.

Plus I'm sure if you got pissed enough you could make people take them off.

[mar77a]

The russians have been hiding messages on the whereabouts of the hidrogen bomb

[miketh2005]

The russians have been hiding messages on the whereabouts of the hidrogen bomb

Huh? Is this spam, or does it actually relate to map encryption?

[Toumaz]

The russians have been hiding messages on the whereabouts of the hidrogen bomb

Huh? Is this spam, or does it actually relate to map encryption?

Number two. As for your post, ...    mar77a misspelled hydrogen, too!