We don't want the source code
We think we do. Some of the talk around here reveals that some people, at least, regard it as the holy grail of Roguelike development - one look at the mystical source and you too can develop a game as huge and entertaining as ADOM. The impression seems to exist that whatever problems hinder us in designing our own Roguelike, the ADOM source code can cut a path through the tangle, leaving the way clear for us to make history ourselves.
I've been thinking about this for a while. I realise I generalise - understand that it's merely style rather than the belief that every person who thinks the code should be released fits in this category, as I know that's not the case. I do, however, believe it's a common state. And I believe it's a mistaken one.
Code in general is a complex thing at the best of times. C++ isn't a particularly simple language, and Thomas Biskup himself has described ADOM as 'spaghetti' code, a tangled and near-incomprehensible mess. Though it could be useful for small matters, such as if someone's having a problem with a particular problem (a Wish mechanic, for example), no one who isn't already experienced with programming will be able to garner anything approaching a Roguelike engine/framework from it. Those who are familiar with the language would likely have to spend hours upon hours examining the code before they could decide which bits were suitable to their purpose, and even longer before they could find a way to utilise or modify it themselves; their time would most likely be better spent crafting their own routines.
My topic title is, in truth, an intentional fallacy; distribution of the source code does have many real benefits. Bugfixes for ADOM would not be difficult to implement, for example. And it would ensure that ADOM never dies.*
I still do entirely believe the source code should be released, if only for these bugfixes and longevity issues. Education and improvement to the genre are entirely honourable goals; I fully support those (whose number until recently included myself) who desire ADOM's code released in order, amongst other reasons, to further their own projects. I just no longer believe it's a very suitable tool for that particularl purpose.
Because overall, we don't *want* the source code - we want a shortcut to success. We want Thomas Biskup, peering over our shoulder in a fatherly way, teaching us, pointing out the best way we can achieve what he has achieved - and perhaps better it.
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*To those who don't understand why the idea of ADOM dying if the source isn't released is treated as a tautology, I'll offer a short explanation. I know most people here already know this, but I've rarely seen it made explicit, so I will explain for the sake of the unaware. It involves portability issues.
If, God forbid, TB were to drop down dead tomorrow and nobody were then to gain access to the source code, ADOM's lifespan would instantly become limited.
As technology and operating systems in particular continue to advance, compatibility becomes an issue. I'm sure many of you have had your share of problems trying to run programs written for DOS or Windows 95 in a modern OS. Perhaps it will not be so for the next dominant operating system, or even the one after that, but eventually existing operating systems will be superceded by new ones which are incapable of running ADOM.
Workarounds will no doubt be implemented (think DOSBox), but these will:
- Require significant initial effort to implement.
- Have a limited lifespan of their own (DOSBox, for example, won't be being developed in twenty years time, I guarantee that).
- Put off prospective players by the hassle involved.
If the source code is released, interested parties can continually port the game to new systems, ensuring the game we have so enjoyed remains playable for future generations.
