I don't fully understand why it's illegal to distribute minecraft's JAR file. Even if someone uploaded their jar for others to use, they can't play it without logging in first at least once with a legit *paid* account, right? So with that said- there are a lot of reasons why distributing the jar would be practical. I think the biggest reason is that some mods are really tricky to install for people that don't know much about computers (not me, but others) and it would be convenient for modders to be able to upload their jar files with their mod already installed and they could skip the whole process of people saying "I need help I get a black screen when I install" etc. So, why is it illegal?
PS: I am not looking to start a flame war I am honestly just curious about this, specially with the above mentioned that the game is not playable for someone who has not bought it and logged on at least once.
It’s still copyright infringement, even if it’s not usable without an original, valid login. Besides, you could very easily just invite a friend over who bought the game and have them log in, validating your copy, or use some other nefarious pirating tricks to the same end.
It’s still copyright infringement, even if it’s not usable without an original, valid login. Besides, you could very easily just invite a friend over who bought the game and have them log in, validating your copy, or use some other nefarious pirating tricks to the same end.
This is true. But anyone can download the minecraft client as it is a free download, so don't you already have the jar once it's downloaded for free from Minecraft.net?
minecraft comes in 2 parts:
the launcher, which anyone can have. it just logs you in and downloads the files.
the .jar, which is the actual game. anyone who has it can play the game, even without the launcher and/or login.
anyone can have the launcher because it doesnt have anything useful.
the minecraft.jar is not free, the launcher is.
.JAR = the game, if you have it, you have the game. if you distribute it, you distribute the game to everyone, even pirates.
launcher (the thing you actually get from clicking the download button on minecraft.net) = just a login tool. anyone can have it, it does nothing without a login.
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Quote from ColorWars »
I tried playing real life. The graphics were alright, the gameplay was .
This is true. But anyone can download the minecraft client as it is a free download, so don't you already have the jar once it's downloaded for free from Minecraft.net?
This is simply not true. The download link for the game only shows up once you have logged into an account on the website. Its not a "free" download at all, since you have to purchase an account to get to the download link in the first place.
Also, it is possible to play singleplayer without logging in. Its called "offline mode".
The JAR file is the game itself. Distributing a copyrighted game is, suprise suprise, copyright infringement. I really don't see how you are confused about this.
It’s still copyright infringement, even if it’s not usable without an original, valid login. Besides, you could very easily just invite a friend over who bought the game and have them log in, validating your copy, or use some other nefarious pirating tricks to the same end.
This is true. But anyone can download the minecraft client as it is a free download, so don't you already have the jar once it's downloaded for free from Minecraft.net?
The launcher downloads the files.
It WOULD be easier, but also easier for pirates to get it. I think in modding support, there should be a way to put individual classes inside a "mod folder". Then, in game, the client would allow the player to turn on or off the mods individually. If a mod was not in use, and a save that previously used this mod was clicked, a warning would pop up saying that mod whatever was previously used in this save. If you want to load it anyway, you can. If the save is loaded correctly, then the warning would be removed.
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Quote from videofreak »
Hosting images on MediaFire? Are you high on cat urine?
It's illegal to distribute cause you can just block the mc client from connecting and play offline. So if you distribute the jar anyone can play it. What you download from the site is just the .exe i believe, running that will attempt to login to the server and then download the jar, AFTER you provide a valid account name/pass.
This is true. But anyone can download the minecraft client as it is a free download, so don't you already have the jar once it's downloaded for free from Minecraft.net?
This is simply not true. The download link for the game only shows up once you have logged into an account on the website. Its not a "free" download at all, since you have to purchase an account to get to the download link in the first place.
Also, it is possible to play singleplayer without logging in. Its called "offline mode".
The JAR file is the game itself. Distributing a copyrighted game is, suprise suprise, copyright infringement. I really don't see how you are confused about this.
Okay I understand now. I thought that the jar came with the launcher and that it just wasn't activate until you logged in. So what you're saying is that the jar does not come with the launcher an that you have to login to the launcher and then the jar itsself is automatically downloaded once you login with a paid account. That's where I was confused. My bad. Thanks for explaining that to me, though. I feel stupid now lol.
/endthread.
Well, the jar only appears in .minecraft ONCE Minecraft has been updated, then all of the Minecraft files appear on /.minecraft/ so if you give away your .jar, you're pretty much giving the game with single player.
Well, the jar only appears in .minecraft ONCE Minecraft has been updated, then all of the Minecraft files appear on /.minecraft/ so if you give away your .jar, you're pretty much giving the game with single player.
Mojang wants absolute legal control over where Minecraft comes from, not for some other goal but just for its own sake. They won't even put it on Steam. Considering that this is basically their only hard and fast rule, I think we can stand to humor them. Personally, if I was a game developer I wouldn't want my game ending up being distributed from, like, download.com, fileplanet, and all the other places either.
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"Sometimes, I just wanna give up, say 'I'm done with this mess' and go to bed. But you know what; you can't shrug off your responsibilities. You got to pull yourself up and meet the challenges head on. That's the only way you're gonna get ahead in life."
I know that Mojang is allowed to distribute their own .jar files,
but now you know that uploading the minecraft.jar file is not illegal to prevent piracy
So think about that
This thread died back in June. You brought it back from the grave just so you could call people noobs, with your 2 whole posts?
PS: I am not looking to start a flame war I am honestly just curious about this, specially with the above mentioned that the game is not playable for someone who has not bought it and logged on at least once.
Steam: RobotDeathParty
This is true. But anyone can download the minecraft client as it is a free download, so don't you already have the jar once it's downloaded for free from Minecraft.net?
the launcher, which anyone can have. it just logs you in and downloads the files.
the .jar, which is the actual game. anyone who has it can play the game, even without the launcher and/or login.
anyone can have the launcher because it doesnt have anything useful.
the minecraft.jar is not free, the launcher is.
.JAR = the game, if you have it, you have the game. if you distribute it, you distribute the game to everyone, even pirates.
launcher (the thing you actually get from clicking the download button on minecraft.net) = just a login tool. anyone can have it, it does nothing without a login.
This is simply not true. The download link for the game only shows up once you have logged into an account on the website. Its not a "free" download at all, since you have to purchase an account to get to the download link in the first place.
Also, it is possible to play singleplayer without logging in. Its called "offline mode".
The JAR file is the game itself. Distributing a copyrighted game is, suprise suprise, copyright infringement. I really don't see how you are confused about this.
The launcher downloads the files.
It WOULD be easier, but also easier for pirates to get it. I think in modding support, there should be a way to put individual classes inside a "mod folder". Then, in game, the client would allow the player to turn on or off the mods individually. If a mod was not in use, and a save that previously used this mod was clicked, a warning would pop up saying that mod whatever was previously used in this save. If you want to load it anyway, you can. If the save is loaded correctly, then the warning would be removed.
derp, ninja'ed by tons of peoples >_>
Okay I understand now. I thought that the jar came with the launcher and that it just wasn't activate until you logged in. So what you're saying is that the jar does not come with the launcher an that you have to login to the launcher and then the jar itsself is automatically downloaded once you login with a paid account. That's where I was confused. My bad. Thanks for explaining that to me, though. I feel stupid now lol.
/endthread.
I'm confused now.
http://ghoulifiedgaming.blogspot.com/
Why'd you necro this?
Everything can easily be substituted. The .jar is the game itself.
At least, I think.
Nah. You're not distributing it.