Hellgate london source code theft

[Furiously]

I have to admit, I'm looking forward to this title. Reading news sites a couple days ago I noticed there were alligations that the source code had been stolen.

Hellgate: London, the first project by the developer and his new studio, has made headlines recently over a rumored theft of its source code.

Roper said he doesn't know if the reports are true.

"We know only as much as you do. Certainly security has always been a concern, but we have no new information on that," Roper said.

He said the possible theft has not affected the development of the game, however.

I'm always amazed developers put the source code on internet connected PCs. Then again, I'm sure it's "easier".

[Sairon]

Does it have to be stolen through the internet though? Could've been somebody on their pay list.

[geldonyetich]

Hellgate: London is definately on the radar here.  So, it's a bit of a bummer to hear that somebody's lifted the source code.  Of course, it's not nearly as big of news as Half-Life 2's source code walking.  From what I've read, they had rolled most of their profits from the original Half-Life in developing that, and that's no small hunk of change.

[Samwise]

I'm always amazed developers put the source code on internet connected PCs. Then again, I'm sure it's "easier".

It's obscenely difficult to work on a large project if you're not connected via network to the other developers.  The only organization I know of that requires development to be done on non-networked machines is the DoD; they move their source between development machines and their code management system via sneakerware, last I checked.  It's ridiculous.  Especially given that most source theft is either an inside job or the result of user stupidity (e.g. accidentally installing malware that opens a back door).

[Margalis]

You can be connected to a intranet without the external internet. But yes, most theft originates from within.

What was the game that delayed shipping for a long time because the code was stolen? I forget.

Code being stolen doesn't really mean anything. The code isn't done and without the art assets you don't have that much. It certainly shouldn't slow down development. It's not like when code is stolen all the developers spend the next two weeks playing detective.

[Yegolev]

We have controlled access but when you get down to it there are links to the "outside world" for our network.  I quote that because if someone really wanted to I guess they could tap the leased lines since we have a global network.  Even the "super sekrit" data is reachable from the outside via proxy and various authentication systems by vendors and customers, because we just couldn't do business otherwise.  If something is stolen, it's probably going to be an inside job, since once you get physical access or on the intranet it's a magnitude of cake pieces easier.

This news does get the Hellgate name in the papers, though.

[Hoax]

Fucking vaporware clownshoes, they better show me a goddamn game soon I want my chain lightning socketed pump shotgun goddamnit and I want it now!@!!

[Big Gulp]

clownshoes

Can we knock it the fuck off with the clownshoes, already?  Yeah, it was a sort of cute, apropos saying in JASBSB, but it's constantly being used either out of context (ie, "That comedy act was so corny, it was clownshoes"), or just flat-out repetetively.

[MrHat]

Necro:

From Gamasutra:

"November 7, 2006

Namco Bandai, EA Partner For Hellgate: London
 Representatives from Namco Bandai have announced that the company has entered into a publishing agreement with Electronic Arts concerning Flagship Studios' eagerly anticipated first-person action role-playing game for the PC, Hellgate: London.

As part of the agreement, Electronic Arts will handle marketing, sales and distribution of the game in Europe and North America, while Namco Bandai will continue to work with Flagship Studios on the development of the game and its related partnerships including novels, toys, manga, and comics. However, the publishing of future Hellgate: London titles, presumably in the form of expansions or sequels, is still under the domain of Namco Bandai, as future releases are not covered by this latest deal.

First announced in 2004, Hellgate: London is an action style role-playing game for the PC that is played from either the first or third-person perspective. Designed by former developers from Blizzard North and the creators of the world renowned Diablo franchise, the game promises “infinite playability” through the use of randomly created levels, items, and events.

While the game will be playable offline, Flagship Studios also recently announced a joint venture with South Korean publisher and developer HanbitSoft and a deal with San Jose-based Online Game Services Inc. (OGSi) to facilitate the game's online needs.

“This partnership assures the best possible outcome for Hellgate: London from both a development and customer-reach standpoint.” commented Flagship Studios' CEO Bill Roper. “By working with both companies in their indisputable areas of strength and expertise, we can bring the game to as many people as possible while maintaining our development focus and schedule at Flagship Studios.”

POSTED: 07.11AM PST, 11/07/06 - Jason Dobson - LINK"

I hope it works out.  Fucking EA.

[schild]

What a horrible thread to read first this morning.

[Yegolev]

Well, on the bright side, Roper can only get fatter.

[Velorath]

clownshoes

Can we knock it the fuck off with the clownshoes, already?  Yeah, it was a sort of cute, apropos saying in JASBSB, but it's constantly being used either out of context (ie, "That comedy act was so corny, it was clownshoes"), or just flat-out repetetively.

There's dozens of catchphrases I could do without.  I think saying something is "pure love" is at the top of my annoyance list at the moment.

[Morfiend]

clownshoes

Can we knock it the fuck off with the clownshoes, already?  Yeah, it was a sort of cute, apropos saying in JASBSB, but it's constantly being used either out of context (ie, "That comedy act was so corny, it was clownshoes"), or just flat-out repetetively.

There's dozens of catchphrases I could do without.  I think saying something is "pure love" is at the top of my annoyance list at the moment.

At least all the horrible horrible horrible Chuck Norris shit has died down. Ugh.

[Zetleft]

clownshoes

Can we knock it the fuck off with the clownshoes, already?  Yeah, it was a sort of cute, apropos saying in JASBSB, but it's constantly being used either out of context (ie, "That comedy act was so corny, it was clownshoes"), or just flat-out repetetively.

There's dozens of catchphrases I could do without.  I think saying something is "pure love" is at the top of my annoyance list at the moment.

At least all the horrible horrible horrible Chuck Norris shit has died down. Ugh.

Yeah that was hella lame

[geldonyetich]

I'm sure the Blizzard.net fanbois have found a meme 5x worse to replace their WoW channel chatter.

Probably this one, which will either manifest as, "Did he drop any good loot?" or "Screenshot, or it didn't happen."

[Samwise]

Probably this one, which will either manifest as, "Did he drop any good loot?" or "Screenshot, or it didn't happen."

I laughed and now I feel incredibly guilty.   

[geldonyetich]

It's just as well, I had forgotten that the real meme is something SFW if brain damaging about Nine Thousand.

[Ironwood]

I don't get it.

[Sky]

I don't get it.

I'm happy when I don't get it, these days. The world got crazy when I wasn't looking.

[Yegolev]

Someone want to tell me if Hellgate is coming out before 2009?

[geldonyetich]

Someone want to tell me if Hellgate is coming out before 2009?

I'm thinking probably early 2007, given that a lot of the game is playable now (judging by the Gamespot footage I've seen) but no promises.

[Zetleft]

So much for it being the next Diablo.  From shacknews.

Hellgate: London will be shipping in Summer 2007, developer Flagship Studios revealed this week that the game's multiplayer component is a subscription-based MMO.

What I always wanted, paying monthly for a diablo fix  :p   

[Samwise]

See also this thread (and the frontpage).

[Zetleft]

frontpage?


i did a forum search before posting don't know why that thread didn't pop up.  Sorry bout that.   ++postcount