But the Feds say "I'm coming for your Mama" ;)

There are a lot of mods going around but a lot of game developers actually encourage it by including level editors in their software.

If anything it just keeps old fads alive and makes it easier for game developers to release new additions to their franchise while the franchise is still familiar.

Plus there's more of a creative pool for developers to pull from.

If you're releasing something nobody cares about you actually have to go out of your way to hire play testers and get innovative input from the actual players.

In these situations these kids are doing all the footwork for them proactively and free of charge.

Actually, they seem to turn a blind eye to a lot of stuff if it's free and not pretending to be official.

Both government elements as well as the large media conglomerates have had their propaganda machines working overtime the past few years on IP-related issues. It's a bit sad to see how much they've managed to influence some people.

The only thing of questionable morality about it is that it's owned by Rupert Murdock.

While you are correct there, that is actually specifically forbidden in the U.S. Constitution. "No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."--Article 1, Section 9. In a separate place, States are likewise forbidden to do the same thing, making it one of the very few things forbidden to both States and the Federal government. Doesn't stop the politicians from trying to do it anyway.

Y'know..... I never noticed that....

I think I should note the entire reason that I made this thread now.

I read on wikipedia's free game article thingy that this game was no longer being distributed as freeware since it's copyright changed hands.... yet here it is.... still free.

http://www.fileplanet.com/216672/210000/fileinfo/Area-51-(Free-Game)

I think it's pretty dirty but there's nothing stopping it in other countries - I'm no longer in the US.
That's Midway's. They're the ones whom are ad-supporting some of their games now. You can also get PSI-Ops The MindGate Conspiracy and Rise & Fall free but you're going to get pestered with ads.

Thats what I'm talking about.... after Midway went out of business they sold the rights off & the owner of the rights supposedly said that it was to no longer be distributed as freeware.
Now if somebody could only point me to a WORKING PSI-Ops fileplanet link...

Not sure about Fileplanet but it looks like Psi-Ops has been completely pulled from Big Downloads. BD still has Area 51 and Rise & Fall though.

I might pick them up then... hell if they are legal, then why not?

Sorry to hijack the thread but that Croc game gave me a nostlagia rush. I need to go dig out my copy now :S.

I never played it, but was strongly considering downloading it if it was legal.... & apparantly not a demo////