FreeKODA/History
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< FreeKODA
Key events are archived here. Feel free to add new info on the development/open-sourcing process.
Contents |
March 2008
On 24 March 2008, MaximB asked on the official KODA forum to release the source code to the public with the aim of making the game playable on Linux-based operating systems.[1]
kspes (Krešimir Špes, lead programmer of Cateia Games) replied by writing, that the effort of porting the game is out of proportion to the advantage of being able to play it on Linux-based operating systems, since the game is written in Visual Basic.[2]
kspes later accepted to release the game's source code and media under the GPL, if a committed development team would assemble, which would port/rewrite the game.[3] He emphasized, that the development team must be serious about the programming task: "the team of developers must be seriously committed to porting the game before we can release the source code. We don't want to release tho source and have the team fall apart in a few weeks."[4]
ivucica commented on 29 Mar 2008:[5]
The greatest issue there is really that there is no version of Visual Basic for GNU/Linux. So all you could do is start a new project, and refer to the KODA source for guidance how to implement identical behaviour. It's not only easier that way, it's practically only possible thing to do, especially since the authors themselves claim the code is messy. That means you wouldn't even be able to duplicate one-by-one component and get something working earlier.
MaximB posted about the need for developers on 30 March 2008 to the FreeGameDev forums.[6] This triggered qubodup to start this wiki page and to get involved in finding interested developers.
cybersphinx (a Warzone 2100 developer) wrote on 31 March 2008 that besides reimplementing the engine, it could be translated to C++ but that it would require Windows developers, who are accustomed to Visual Basic 6.0 and cross-platform compliant C++:[7]
Basically you have two options:
1. You do a complete reimplementation in C++ with the VB source as reference.
2. You take the VB source and slowly transition it to platform-independent C++. This will need Windows developers familiar with VB, C++, and platform-independent coding, but you will always have a (more or less) working game. This seems to be preferable, if you can find the right persons for the job.
On March 31, 2008, in the Ubuntu Forums, airo, a C++ programmer and christhemonkey, a Python programmer, offered to help. Also KIAaze wrote that he considered helping the project (on the FreeGameDev forums).
April 2008
On April 2, 2008, it was made clear, that before releasing anything to the public or sharing any code, the FreeKODA team would have to prove ability and interest by implementing at least basic functions of the original game like rendering a map and moving a unit. qubodup's idea is to use FIFE for that purpose.[8]
May 2008
- MaximB explained that he has no time for managing the project and asked qubodup to coordinate it
- iiii aka x__O aka lost aka lostchild joined the project and produced python code, which loaded and displayed a map and allowed the player to move an animated unit on it
- Markus Martin offered his help
June 2008
Until June, lostchild was the only relevant code-contributor, he created a map-loader, which displays a bitmap as the background and an animated unit, which can be moved between nodes. The game currently crashes often. The used library is pyglet, the used language is python. qubodup recorded a short gameplay video, showing the engine's features.
References
- ↑ MaximB asking to open source KODA the first time
- ↑ kspes explains that porting the game would require a huge effort
- ↑ kspes agreeing to open source the game, if a development team will agree to port it
- ↑ kspes emphasizing the need for commitment of the porting development team
- ↑ ivucica summing up the task of porting the game
- ↑ MaximB's post about the need for developers porting the game on the FreeGameDev forums
- ↑ cybersphinx's views of what the options for porting are
- ↑ kspes confirming that he needs proof of activity and ability before releasing any code
