Using an open-source game engine to...[GPL STUFF]

ID:182813
 
Jan 25 2008, 12:12 pm
Under the GPL / v2 / v3, could one use a GPL'd source engine, let's say Duke Nukem 3D's engine, make a game with your own graphics, levels, and sounds, then sell that as your own game?

I know in this hypothetical case, one would need to distribute the source code to the engine, but what about the other stuff - the levels, graphics, etc - the heart of your game? Does the GPL require that to be released as well?

Thanks.

~Kujila
Jan 25 2008, 1:38 pm (Edited on Jan 25 2008, 2:58 pm)
Kujila wrote:
Under the GPL / v2 / v3, could one use a GPL'd source engine, let's say Duke Nukem 3D's engine, make a game with your own graphics, levels, and sounds, then sell that as your own game?

I know in this hypothetical case, one would need to distribute the source code to the engine, but what about the other stuff - the levels, graphics, etc - the heart of your game? Does the GPL require that to be released as well?

Thanks.

~Kujila

Only the engine, and any changes made directly to the engine would need to be shard. If the game engine and the game data are well-separated. (separate modules) otherwise The GPL is forced on a program compilation as a whole.

http://www.gnu.org/licenses/gpl-faq.html#v3TheProgram

Jan 25 2008, 3:33 pm
Xzar is correct - only your code needs to be covered by the GPL.

For a look at some games who do just what you are proposing, check out Warsow and Anepsosis. Warsow has a GPL'd game engine (QFusion) but all the levels, art assets, and so on belong to the artists and are licensed such that they can be distributed with Warsow for free. The maps and art assets for Anepsosis are released to the community and the world under a Creative Commons license.