Original Falcon 4.0 now available via GOG.com
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Sad I thought it went for free. I just saw it needs 6$.
Any way talks about BMS also there.
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It must be easy sitting there, Arty, with no concern for intellectual property and no fear of cease and desist letters to push your agenda.
Maybe not so easy for those creating add-on modifications for Falcon4.
Could you please explain the meaning of your sentences?
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Fact #1 - Falcon 4.0 Original CD is hard to come by and required for BMS install.
Fact #2 - People will pay upwards of $20-$30+ on the 2nd hand market in some instances just to install BMS, but often than not (probably never) will actually use the 1.08 instance.
Sooo… GOG steps in… “Let’s sell 4.0 in a “legacy” collection, state on GOGs forums that there is no use developing it from 1.08 as BMS is already available.” to the point where they link and recommend it on their forum.
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_falcon_collection_361fd/page7
ie. "Vythonaut: Falcon BMS isn’t just a patch, it’s a standalone program with it’s own installer. I guess it would be a waste of time and resources for GOG to make the original version work right, when it’s only needed to have the 4.0 installed, to be able to install BMS to your system. After the installation of BMS, you can uninstall 4.0 from your PC. "
Imagine if every BMS user who downloaded and flew BMS paid $6.00… I’m guessing it would be a substantial profit considering their development cycles.
Solution?
A - Remove the requirement for the 4.0 exe from the BMS installer.
OR
B - Only allow installer to function with original CD version by using a more complex media verification process.
Now one can argue that having the 4.0 install readily purchasable for a low price will increase traffic and interest in the sim, but considering the biggest selling point of their package is the ability to install BMS (IMO) I would be hesitant to support this.
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I can’t believe that original Falcon 4.0 is available for $6, including all the Falcon 3 stuff, manuals, etc., and you guys manage to go and start worrying about how “legal” it is. Amazing. Something that can only be good for BMS, to make this game accessible to more people, bring more people into this community, increase visibility and enthusiasm for flight simulation, and yet within a handful of posts someone is already attempting to dampen the good news.
Amazing.
How about this. How about you let whoever has ownership of the Falcon 4 property, whoever that is, let them worry about the legalness of GoG’s release. I mean seriously, why does every single thing that pops up on this site immediately turn into a witch hunt? Enough already.
I think the issue here is that the BMS team would like to make it clear that BMS is a mod for Falcon 4.0, and they are not replacing 4.0, and that people who install the mod require 4.0 to install BMS so that whoever owns the IP for Falcon 4.0 will not have an issue with BMS. IIRC, this is also why the team does not accept donations and would instead ask you donate your money to your charity-of-choice.
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Fact #1 - Falcon 4.0 Original CD is hard to come by and required for BMS install.
Fact #2 - People will pay upwards of $20-$30+ on the 2nd hand market in some instances just to install BMS, but often than not (probably never) will actually use the 1.08 instance.
Sooo… GOG steps in… “Let’s sell 4.0 in a “legacy” collection, state on GOGs forums that there is no use developing it from 1.08 as BMS is already available.” to the point where they link and recommend it on their forum.
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_falcon_collection_361fd/page7
ie. "Vythonaut: Falcon BMS isn’t just a patch, it’s a standalone program with it’s own installer. I guess it would be a waste of time and resources for GOG to make the original version work right, when it’s only needed to have the 4.0 installed, to be able to install BMS to your system. After the installation of BMS, you can uninstall 4.0 from your PC. "
Imagine if every BMS user who downloaded and flew BMS paid $6.00… I’m guessing it would be a substantial profit considering their development cycles.
Solution?
A - Remove the requirement for the 4.0 exe from the BMS installer.
OR
B - Only allow installer to function with original CD version by using a more complex media verification process.
Now one can argue that having the 4.0 install readily purchasable for a low price will increase traffic and interest in the sim, but considering the biggest selling point of their package is the ability to install BMS (IMO) I would be hesitant to support this.
What is the point of option B, other than to spite GOG.com? Is not the reason for checking for the falcon CD, to ensure you have purchased it?
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Fact #1 - Falcon 4.0 Original CD is hard to come by and required for BMS install.
Fact #2 - People will pay upwards of $20-$30+ on the 2nd hand market in some instances just to install BMS, but often than not (probably never) will actually use the 1.08 instance.
Sooo… GOG steps in… “Let’s sell 4.0 in a “legacy” collection, state on GOGs forums that there is no use developing it from 1.08 as BMS is already available.” to the point where they link and recommend it on their forum.
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_falcon_collection_361fd/page7
ie. "Vythonaut: Falcon BMS isn’t just a patch, it’s a standalone program with it’s own installer. I guess it would be a waste of time and resources for GOG to make the original version work right, when it’s only needed to have the 4.0 installed, to be able to install BMS to your system. After the installation of BMS, you can uninstall 4.0 from your PC. "
Imagine if every BMS user who downloaded and flew BMS paid $6.00… I’m guessing it would be a substantial profit considering their development cycles.
Solution?
A - Remove the requirement for the 4.0 exe from the BMS installer.
OR
B - Only allow installer to function with original CD version by using a more complex media verification process.
Now one can argue that having the 4.0 install readily purchasable for a low price will increase traffic and interest in the sim, but considering the biggest selling point of their package is the ability to install BMS (IMO) I would be hesitant to support this.
https://www.gog.com/game/falcon_collection
- Falcon 4.0 (version 1.08, added as a part of the bonus goodies pack)
GOG does sell original falcon 4.0 of 1.08 version.
I just have purchased it, installed it and confirmed that I can play the original game on WIN7 64bit without any old videocard systems emulation.
Yes, It is also able to install BMS and may increase traffic and interest in the sim, but there idea can not be such things as
“Let’s sell 4.0 in a “legacy” collection, state on GOGs forums that there is no use developing it from 1.08 as BMS is already available.” -
Guys, GoG has a long history of bringing old games to us. Maybe this is all new to you guys, but if you get outside of the Falcon mindset, GoG has been distributing a lot of games that many of us older gamers have longed for; eg. B-17 II, D&D Gold box, and many, many others. GoG’s “thing” is to take old games and make them compatible with modern systems. Further, they usually get the rights to these old games. There is a lot of writing about this if you choose to look for it.
With respect to Falcon, I simply am not seeing what has anyone…anyone…upset about this. This is pure win for BMS and us, as combat flight simmers. This is why I seem, no I AM, incredulous. Do you all want to see flight sims fail or succeed?
GoG has a long pedigree of bringing old software up to date and then offering a working version for purchase to the public. It’s too bad that this is the first many of you have seen of this company.
Regardless, this release is pure win for BMS and Falcon, and for anyone who wants to further intersest in flight simulation and especially Falcon. So why, WHY, would you want to poke holes? Why isn’t the first reaction, “YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!111!!!” instead of, “Did GoG get the rights, is this all legal, can those guys download BMS or do we have to check their install to ensure it is a pure CD install?”
I’m not someone who argues just to argue. But this confuses me to no end. I’ve got about 20 GoG games and then this popped up, and my first thought was, “Whew, I can finally get a digital backup to my CD” and then I read all the BS on these forums and it sickens me. Yes, many of you sicken me. What a bummer.
Man alive, we’re playing a video game here, and most of you with no stake in the game would rather put stakes in it to kill it than to see it thrive. I’ve never seen a community more willing to eat its own, and I can’t even understand the “WHY”.
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Excellent news! Fingers crossed it will be compatible for the BMS install process…
Very good news. Mods, can we make the link to GOG’s website a sticky? That way all future BMS pilots have access to a legal copy of Falcon 4.0 for their install.
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Yeah, GOG has been distributing and making a lot of old games compatible with modern systems.
I rejoiced a lot when I found GOG sells “STAR WARS: TIE FIGHTER” including original DOS version which is one of the best STARWARS game I used to play in my childhood, and since then I have been hoping that someday GOG will release original falcon4.0, now it really came out. what a lovely day! -
Further, they usually get the rights to these old games.
Small correction, they always get the rights to sell those games. They’ve mentioned several times that sometimes it’s even harder to find the legal owner of the IP than to make old game work on modern PC.
Regardless, this release is pure win for BMS and Falcon, and for anyone who wants to further intersest in flight simulation and especially Falcon. So why, WHY, would you want to poke holes? Why isn’t the first reaction, “YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!111!!!” instead of, “Did GoG get the rights, is this all legal, can those guys download BMS or do we have to check their install to ensure it is a pure CD install?”
My thoughts exactly.
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Fact #1 - Falcon 4.0 Original CD is hard to come by and required for BMS install.
Fact #2 - People will pay upwards of $20-$30+ on the 2nd hand market in some instances just to install BMS, but often than not (probably never) will actually use the 1.08 instance.
Sooo… GOG steps in… “Let’s sell 4.0 in a “legacy” collection, state on GOGs forums that there is no use developing it from 1.08 as BMS is already available.” to the point where they link and recommend it on their forum.
https://www.gog.com/forum/general/release_falcon_collection_361fd/page7
ie. "Vythonaut: Falcon BMS isn’t just a patch, it’s a standalone program with it’s own installer. I guess it would be a waste of time and resources for GOG to make the original version work right, when it’s only needed to have the 4.0 installed, to be able to install BMS to your system. After the installation of BMS, you can uninstall 4.0 from your PC. "
Imagine if every BMS user who downloaded and flew BMS paid $6.00… I’m guessing it would be a substantial profit considering their development cycles.
Solution?
A - Remove the requirement for the 4.0 exe from the BMS installer.
OR
B - Only allow installer to function with original CD version by using a more complex media verification process.
Now one can argue that having the 4.0 install readily purchasable for a low price will increase traffic and interest in the sim, but considering the biggest selling point of their package is the ability to install BMS (IMO) I would be hesitant to support this.
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Agree with toonces here, this is definitely a positive step, and should be supported fully.
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Imagine if every BMS user who downloaded and flew BMS paid $6.00… I’m guessing it would be a substantial profit considering their development cycles.
Solution?
A - Remove the requirement for the 4.0 exe from the BMS installer.
OR
B - Only allow installer to function with original CD version by using a more complex media verification process.
Why stop there? We could also have a season pass, pre-order bonuses and microtransactions.
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Why stop there? We could also have a season pass, pre-order bonuses and microtransactions.
“Your squadron ran out of AIM-120C and GBU-12. Wait 6 hours for resupply or buy a resupply for 500 gold.” :shock: :D:rofl:
Seriously, I’m glad that Falcon 4.0 is available in unlimited numbers now and everyone willing to start with BMS doesn’t need to dig through ebay. Because if that is the cause, the number of BMS fliers is limited to those who bought Falcon 4.0.
At least from a legal point of view.
Someone started selling Falcon 4.0 again :woohoo: -
This post is deleted! -
Regardless, this release is pure win for BMS and Falcon, and for anyone who wants to further intersest in flight simulation and especially Falcon. So why, WHY, would you want to poke holes? Why isn’t the first reaction, “YEAH YEAH YEAH!!!111!!!” instead of, “Did GoG get the rights, is this all legal, can those guys download BMS or do we have to check their install to ensure it is a pure CD install?”
<snip snip=“”>Man alive, we’re playing a video game here, and most of you with no stake in the game would rather put stakes in it to kill it than to see it thrive. I’ve never seen a community more willing to eat its own, and I can’t even understand the “WHY”.</snip>I agree with toonces here. An explanation might be that we, as a community and even more so the devs with access to the source code, still feel a “pang of guilt” after all these years about the more or less accidental release of the source code. It sits at the core of everything that is fBMS, and no matter how hard you try to ensure that only legal owners of Falcon 4.0 can make use of it, you’ll always have an illegal product at the core: the falcon 4.0 source code.
So I’d go with the recommendation above (paraphrased): Let’s Just enjoy what we have and let the other parties worry about additional legal implications that may only exist in our common fearful imagination.
Worrying is akin to paying interest on a debt you’ve never owed, and in reality, we’re all set with “one foot in prison” anyway as a german saying goes.
All the best,
Uwe
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Great news, it means that more people will get a chance to try F4. It’s hard to recommend a sim to someone when there is no good legal way to get ahold of it. Personally my version of F4 was the Mac one, so I’m glad I can have a “proper” version of the .exe.
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Seems lots of people disagree with me but hey what else is new…
My gripe is monetizing BMS will bring it back in focus of IP holders, thus potentially re-opening old scars.
That being said if they are doing this the proper way then it’s less of an issue.
I’m a little more hesitant before throwing flowers and balloons around while sipping my ice tea.
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Seems lots of people disagree with me but hey what else is new…
My gripe is monetizing BMS will bring it back in focus of IP holders, thus potentially re-opening old scars.
That being said if they are doing this the proper way then it’s less of an issue.
I’m a little more hesitant before throwing flowers and balloons around while sipping my ice tea.
I think in the end mods like bms can only increase sales, since they are selling the old version. If the owner then wants to work on a new version based on the original source code (very unlikely i should say) then at that point yes , probably their legal team would make BMS disappear rather quickly.