Official Site Charges for Membership

Okay, this is mainly directed at MrZeroPage and those in charge of the vBulletin version... but the official site seems to be charging for membership with about a $3 membership charge. Kind of saying this because I don't how the mods here are going to suggest where to get games if the official source is charging for content now.

News:

http://www.ibparcade.com/index.php?s...0&#entry128601

I'm personally lucky in how I already have my 100+ games, but outraged that it's yet another source trying to potentially charge for the work of others. Heck, couldn't this technically mean this mod may not even be allowed here?

[MortysTW]

Originally Posted by cheat-master30

Okay, this is mainly directed at MrZeroPage and those in charge of the vBulletin version... but the official site seems to be charging for membership with about a $3 membership charge. Kind of saying this because I don't how the mods here are going to suggest where to get games if the official source is charging for content now.

News:

http://www.ibparcade.com/index.php?s...0&#entry128601

I'm personally lucky in how I already have my 100+ games, but outraged that it's yet another source trying to potentially charge for the work of others. Heck, couldn't this technically mean this mod may not even be allowed here?

Its just another site. I wouldn't worry about it. There are plenty of sites that allow you to get tons of games for free if not 100's for like $10. Just gotta do a search for it on a good search engine.

[cheat-master30]

Originally Posted by MortysTW

Its just another site. I wouldn't worry about it. There are plenty of sites that allow you to get tons of games for free if not 100's for like $10. Just gotta do a search for it on a good search engine.

It's not just the games... it's the fact that it's the official site distributing the mod, and they also seem to charge for the modification there. And since this is a free mod here... I don't know what effect that would have...

Secondly, that's the link MrZeroPage gives every time someone asks for free games...

[MortysTW]

Originally Posted by cheat-master30

It's not just the games... it's the fact that it's the official site distributing the mod, and they also seem to charge for the modification there. And since this is a free mod here... I don't know what effect that would have...

Secondly, that's the link MrZeroPage gives every time someone asks for free games...

Guess I misunderstood. I get what you are saying now.

Personally, i don't think any of the sites have the right to charge for the games. Because most of the games out there are technically illegal and violating copyrights.

I guarantee Pepsi, Coke, 7UP, and tons of other companies have NOT given permission to have their games ported to be played on forum arcades.

That's why you'll see most of the sites refer to it as a "donation to the site" and as a way of saying "thanks" they give you access to their games.

I was giving games away for those that donated to MrZeropage, but vbulletin.org staff slapped my hand for that. I forgot we weren't allowed to promote or "force" in any way people to pay for support or access to anything via this site. We have to do it on our own remote sites.

[cheat-master30]

Originally Posted by MortysTW

Guess I misunderstood. I get what you are saying now.

Personally, i don't think any of the sites have the right to charge for the games. Because most of the games out there are technically illegal and violating copyrights.

I guarantee Pepsi, Coke, 7UP, and tons of other companies have NOT given permission to have their games ported to be played on forum arcades.

That's why you'll see most of the sites refer to it as a "donation to the site" and as a way of saying "thanks" they give you access to their games.

I was giving games away for those that donated to MrZeropage, but vbulletin.org staff slapped my hand for that. I forgot we weren't allowed to promote or "force" in any way people to pay for support or access to anything via this site. We have to do it on our own remote sites.

Okay, I'll be explaining. What you said was totally true, they probably don't have the right to distribute such games. Because of this, they are now not only giving away copyright content, but also selling it, which could lead to massive court charges, fines or the site getting shut down. It's very much on thin ice with that payment...

Plus, it conflicts with the mod here. If they are essentially charging for the mod, will they want it to be released for free here? This could actually end up with the mod being send to the graveyard here and everyone losing out on a fine arcade mod. Same with versions for MyBB and phpBB.

Thirdly, it makes many old topics and posts here useless. When someone sends you to that site, now it's paid only. This is going to annoy the average member looking for games, even more so if it appears that they are trying to profit of a free site like this.

Finally, there is a true ownership issue. Many games originated at sites such as Newgrounds. These sites host USER SUBMIITTED work. You can't wait for the site itself to email, seeing as the site itself does not own the content there. It's like taking a ton of mods from here and waiting for vBulletin.org staff to complain by email of legal action. They can't. The users own their work. And it's being sold.

This also ties in with the very unlucky fact that communities from such sites hate thieves and stolen content. I won't say exactly what kind of things sites like Newgrounds, LUELinks or 4Chan do, but it's not exactly nice for those trying to use their content. As I said, research it. Not good prospects await this announcement if the news spreads to the communities of such sites...

[MortysTW]

Just guessing here, I think they are aware, but look at it as something they really can't control, so might as well shut up and enjoy the free advertising. Alot of the games have links to the originating sites built right into them.

You're right though. The fist could come down some day. but if it does, its not going to be easy for them. Especially since there are tons of sites out on the web giving their games for free and also giving permission for them to be modded for this arcade system.

Its one of those What If's that we just gotta sit back and whisper softly about. :P