id Software co-founder John Carmack announced back at the beginning of November that the Doom 3 source code was ready for release to the general public, and was just waiting for approval from the company’s legal team. After a few tweaks by Carmack to the code to get it past the legal issues, id Software has today made their Doom 3 GPL source code available.
The Legal Hurdles
The hold-up with the release was related to Creative Labs’ 3D shading technique called “depth fail,” which was used in the code. This technique, also known as ‘Carmack’s Reverse,’ was patented, causing legal complications. To save the day, Carmack made a few changes to the code and explained via a Tweet.
“Lawyers are still skittish about the patent issue around ‘Carmack’s reverse,’ so I am going to write some new code for the doom3 release,” – “This demonstrates the idiocy of the patent — the workaround added four lines of code and changed two.”
This workaround allowed the release to proceed without infringing on the patent, showcasing Carmack’s ingenuity and the often frustrating nature of software patents. The changes were minimal but crucial, highlighting how small tweaks can navigate complex legal landscapes.
Impact on the Gaming Community
The release of the DOOM 3 source code is a significant event for the gaming community. It opens up numerous possibilities for developers and modders who can now delve into the code, learn from it, and create their own modifications or entirely new games based on the DOOM 3 engine. This kind of transparency and sharing is relatively rare in the gaming industry, where proprietary engines and code are often closely guarded secrets.
The DOOM 3 source code, now available to download via Github, does not include the ‘depth fail’ method, a functionality for enabling rendering of stencil shadows commonly known as ‘Carmack’s Reverse.’ Despite this omission, the release is still incredibly valuable. Developers can study the architecture of the game, understand the rendering techniques used, and even contribute to the codebase.
For example, modders can create new levels, characters, and gameplay mechanics, breathing new life into a classic game. Educational institutions can use the code as a teaching tool, helping students understand real-world game development practices. The open-source community can also identify and fix bugs, potentially improving the game beyond its original state.
Moreover, this release sets a precedent for other game developers to follow. By making the source code available, id Software is fostering a culture of openness and collaboration. This can lead to more innovative and diverse gaming experiences as developers build on each other’s work.
Source: Toms Hardware
Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals
Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
