Looking for Game Programmers/Developers (Non-Profit)

lorixann · Post by **lorixann** » Wed May 18, 2011 11:58 pm

We are currently recruiting developers to bring back the well known game; The Sims Online (also known as TSO).

TSO Restoration is a non-profit organization which is restoring and recreating The Sims Online (which was shut down in 2008).
TSO Restoration's website can be found at http://www.tsorestoration.com/forum/
TSO Restoration's community currently has nearly 3,000 members with over
7,000 posts, and a development team consisting of 6 fully dedicated
developers.
We currently need programmers with experience in either C++ or C# (or both).
We also need talented reverse engineers/packet decryptors to help us
reverse engineer file formats and packets which the game uses.
Presently, we need help with the FTP/patch server (coded with C++ and
FTP), the update client (coded with C++, Win32 and various networking
APIs), the Isometric Engine (coded with C++ and OpenGL) and various
other things including format research and rendering.
People with knowledge of Win32 APIs such as WinSock and GDI will be especially important to the team.
Anyone who wishes to apply should either create an account at TSOR and submit a development application at http://www.tsorestoration.com/forum/ind ... -paradise/
OR E-mail one of our most dedicated developers at codemonkeyjonathan@gmail.com .

Please help us bring back the game!

Radikalizm · Post by **Radikalizm** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:17 am

I doubt this is very legal, be prepared to get shut down by EA as soon as you get some results and go public with this

Anyway, good luck with the search

kazymjir · Post by **kazymjir** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:45 am

Nice, but as Radikalizm said, EA may not be happy seeing this.

lorixann · Post by **lorixann** » Thu May 19, 2011 8:56 pm

Any Questions/concerns about legal issues can be found here; (to put any concerns at rest)

http://www.tsorestoration.com/forum/ind ... -doctrine/

Keep in mind you have to register to see our forums.

serengeor · Post by **serengeor** » Thu May 19, 2011 9:21 pm

lorixann wrote:Any Questions/concerns about legal issues can be found here; (to put any concerns at rest)

http://www.tsorestoration.com/forum/ind ... -doctrine/

Keep in mind you have to register to see our forums.

Or use the almighty google cache:http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... .google.lt

randomMesh · Post by **randomMesh** » Fri May 20, 2011 3:43 pm

serengeor wrote:
lorixann wrote:Keep in mind you have to register to see our forums.
Or use the almighty google cache:http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/s ... .google.lt

Even the 'Developer's Paradise' section is accessible through Google Cache. Why do you force potential developers to register an account or use the Google Cache to learn what's going on on your site?

Pretty reputable... Not.

Open forums rock!

Radikalizm · Post by **Radikalizm** » Fri May 20, 2011 3:55 pm

About your legal doctrine:

What you are doing is pure reverse engineering of EA's server-side software, which is definitely prohibited by copyright law

Reverse engineering is only legal in both the US and the EU with consent of the copyright holder

I didn't see this in your doctrine, so I thought it'd be a good idea to give you a heads-up

REDDemon · Post by **REDDemon** » Sat May 21, 2011 5:11 am

I remember someone who have tried to reverse engineer the PlayStation2 Dvds in order for play them also with a PC. I don't remember how the fact finished. Maybe it was just a MassMedia Joke. I tried to search for it several times without success. Maybe you should try to contact EA

hybrid · Post by **hybrid** » Sat May 21, 2011 10:05 am

Reverse engineering file formats is legal in probably the whole world. As I understood, it's not about reverse engineering code for later use in the new program. So there's absolutely no problem to expect here. Maybe we can leave the legal department now, and either concentrate on constructive suggestions, or do something else?

captainkitteh · Post by **captainkitteh** » Sat May 21, 2011 12:07 pm

Why are they trying to remake the Sims ? Why not make a similar game under different name ? The Sims is a trademarked property. The concept of virtual dollhouses have not been patented yet...

lorixann · Post by **lorixann** » Mon May 23, 2011 5:15 am

Many of us have tried playing similar online games, but it just isn't the same. There isn't a game which has the same "feel", or is as enjoyable as The Sims Online.

While some people think a new game similar to the sims online should just be created, previous players, such as myself and our developers, and the rest of our community disagree. We want the game back, not some knock-off. (=

zester · Post by **zester** » Mon May 23, 2011 10:41 am

The concept of virtual dollhouses have not been patented yet...

You would copyright the idea of a Virtual Dollhouse not patent it. everyone mixes the
two up. And most things can be defeated if you can show that the person sueing you
wasn't the originator of the idea. Exanple: A movie that pre-dates the game that had
the same basic principles as a virtual dollhouse.

captainkitteh · Post by **captainkitteh** » Tue May 24, 2011 2:21 pm

lorixann wrote:Many of us have tried playing similar online games, but it just isn't the same. There isn't a game which has the same "feel", or is as enjoyable as The Sims Online.

While some people think a new game similar to the sims online should just be created, previous players, such as myself and our developers, and the rest of our community disagree. We want the game back, not some knock-off. (=

You would do a lot better if you go for a fresh start. It can be the Sims online in all but namely. The name is the key here. Using intellectual property from someone like EA is akin to suicide for any small dev team.