[Gloriano]

Originally posted by magatsu1
I thought the code had already been offically released ?

even HL2 is not out yet

[magatsu1]

yeah,sorry, it's the tools which have already been released
(see "Equip", the "Edge, Guide to the Future of PC")

[mikhael]

In an email Newell sent to others in the game industry (Ion Storm in this case), he explained the nature of the hack in some detail and asked for help from other developers in tracking down those responsible.

Given the details he provided to the folks at Ion Storm and others, I'd say there's no conspiracy here. Valve was hit by a targetted hack, designed specifically to grab a copy of the source tree. This was certainly not an intentional release, covert or otherwise.

[pyro-manic]

Jesus, don't people have anything better to do with their time?

I just think it's rather sad that somebody actually invested their time, energy and effort to do this. What's the f***ing point?

[Ashrak]

ok hackers code is not to earn money but complete the challange..... you try hacking a game soft developer and grabbing the source code without getting busted

[pyro-manic]

Whatever gets 'em off, I suppose. Even so, couldn't they hack something useful, like the big W's email, or summat? That'd be far more interesting than game code (even if it is HL2 ).

[aldo_14]

Hackers really are dicks, aren;t they?  

I mean, this is basically petty theft - electronic shoplifting by another name.  Sure, you might think it's 'only a game', but it's a short step from stealing personal info........

[Rictor]

I don't think this a was all that terrible a thing. Here why:

1. The source-code leak shouldn't really have anything to do with any delays. In that, it won't cause any delays that wouldn't have already been caused. From what I understand, the anti-cheating technology is the only thing that could delay it, and that is engineered in such a way that changing an algorithm really changes enough to make the new version un-cheatable.

2. Valve isn't really loosing anything here are they? I mean, they still have thier source-code intact, now just someone else has it too. I'de understand if the source-code got deleted, but this way Valve isn't really hurt by the theft.

3. This won't cause any losses in revenue due to licensing the engine. No one is stupid enough to make a commercial game with a stolen engine, so Valve will still get their precious money.

4. What the source-code could be used for, and I hope it is, is to give freeware and independent games a level playing field when it comes to graphics. I think that, aslong as a game is freeware, the source-code should be available to the them free of charge. FRee-ware games are really incapable of competing with the AAA games when it comes to graphics, and whether you care to admit it or not, everyone thinks graphics count. If its all in the name of strengthening the community by making the engine public domain, then I'm all for it.

[ZylonBane]

Originally posted by aldo_14
Hackers really are dicks, aren;t they?

And all this time I thought you were smart enough to know what the word "hacker" means.

[Rictor]

Hacker - someone who unlawfully gains access to computer systems (assumed remotely).

If you really want to get technical, a malacious hacker (as is the case here) is called a cracker, but thats just semantics.

[Kamikaze]

Actually a hacker refers to a computer expert, who, in the old days, would "hack" together computers (before the PC). The term evolved until it pointed toward a large culture of programmers, computer scientists and the like. Then it was bastardized by the idiotic public and media.

Anyhow, maybe I can get a HL2 linux port now.

[01010]

Originally posted by ZylonBane
And all this time I thought you were smart enough to know what the word "hacker" means.

Isn't that somebody that cuts up dead bodies with an axe?

[demon442]

Originally posted by 01010
Isn't that somebody that cuts up dead bodies with an axe?

Not to be confused with a Slasher, one who cuts up the living with a large blade of some kind.


Anyway, good for the lucky SOB that got in and downloaded it.  Valve wouldn't make as big of a deal if they had caught the guy.  But they let security flop and look what happens.  They deserve it, when you're making the revolutionary sequel to an equaly revolutionary game, security should be you biggest concern.

Speaking of linux, i've had enough of Winholes, how's the linux port coming along, Bob?

[Levyathan]

Look at you, cracker, a pathetic creature of meat and bone...

[aldo_14]

Originally posted by ZylonBane
And all this time I thought you were smart enough to know what the word "hacker" means.

Frankly, I consider the media-encouraged, mass population definition of a hacker as equally and arguably more valid than what you stated, ZB.  for one thing, its used specifically to a set group of people for which there's no other real terms.  yes, 'cracker' could be applied, but that's really - IMO - more related to people who modifiy games to be pirated, etc, than thoser who steal information.

And, incidentally, this is from a textbook (Professional Issues in Software Engineering, 3rd Ed., Bott, coleman, Eaton & Rowland );

11.3 Categories of Misuse

In their study of English Criminal Law, the Law Comission highlighted a number of categories of misuse of computers.  these were;

A) Computer Fraud
B) unauthorised obtaining on infromation from a computer, which they subcategorized into the following;

- Computer hacking;
- eavesdropping on a computer;
- (etc)

So there you go - a legal definition of hacking as a merthod of gaining unauthorised access to a computer system.  And as a 'hacker' is someone who performs the aciton of 'hacking', I think my definition is pretty sound.

[Flipside]

It's a pity that things like this have to happen, the leak could have been internal or hacked, either way, though it is through the actions of unscrupulous people (remember, these are the same guys that are trying to utilise your bandwidth to do their dirty work) However, it may serve the public to a great degree. Imagine what could happen if stand alone games writers had access to stuff above and beyond what is available even on GameDev.Net?

[aldo_14]

The point is that companies spend a great deal of money and time to develop cutting edge code, in order to create something that gives them a market edge.  If you were in Valves position, having spent all those years making this ****-hot (hopefully) engine, wouldn't you be pissed off if someone was able to basically steal it and give it away for free?  If it was a regular occurance, it would help to kill development in the games industry - because there's no point developing something new over time, if it's going to become freely available to competitors*

*yes, you might not think other companies would use this code..... but they could certainly utilise any new tricks or ideas contained within it.  And it's not exactly going to be easy for a company to obtian, decompile and check several thousand / million lines of code to check it isn't using stuff they developed....

[karajorma]

I agree with you there Aldo. Source code releases are something that I love to see but not before the game is actually released. That said most companies do wait far too long to release their code.

[deep_eyes]

Originally posted by Bobboau
I bet this was actualy an intentional leak, given how much of HL's sucsess was based on the mods

I believe this cause how is it that this has not happened with Quake 3 when it was at the time getting the same hype, or even the doom 3 alpha (which wasnt sufficient enough to cause a problem)? i wouldnt be surprised for the simple fact that it gives the programers some time to work with the code. and knowing most programers, it be awhile before they decifer of the new code. the HL2 engine is like very deep....

one bad thing is like someone said earlier, everyone gets to steal its code for there own purposes , so its like HL2 wont be too special source wise no more.

[aldo_14]

I don't see any good reason for Valve to leak their own code...there's too little benefit, IMO - I mean, how could you really understand the code with respect to modding, if you can;t even play the game yet?