Resource for Falcon 4.0 exe file

Falcon 4.0 available from here:
http://www.amazon.com/Falcon-4-0-Pc/dp/B00000K4KF

Please do not post links to download copyrighted content.
Microprose may be gone, but the protection of their intellectual property still exists.

Thanks for your cooperation.

So just to be clear, Falcon 4.0 exe: bad
Mods created from stolen source code: good

jk

Considering how the IP holder jammed the community back in the day I say both are "good" from a moral standpoint.

AF was *not* the solution.

This isn't a rule that SimHQ pulled from thin air so that they can assert some authority on their website. They are following the law. It might be arbitrary as Force10 has pointed out since we are all benefiting from that original sin--which we do by playing variations of the original code for free. But don't blame SimHQ--they are just keeping it legit (which I appreciate). Anyone who wants the original falcon.exe can buy F4 cheaply or get the executable easily enough from other players.

Yes I am aware and agree with SIMHQ's position, nothing else they can do. Just making a distinction between what may be morally ambiguous to some versus what is strictly legal.

It was meant to be a joke more or less, note the "jk" at the bottom. I wouldn't want Simhq to violate any laws.

Heh, Unauthorised distribution of commercial software is straight way to get in troubles. Mods are kinda grey area. To make you feel better, F4 developers including Falcon father Gilman "Chopstick" Louie are aware of mods and even praise the work community has done.

Well, thank #%&*$# for dodgy Russian websites then, eh?

There still appears to be some confusion on this issue. "Sharing" of the Falcon 4.0 resource files through unapproved distributors is illegal. Any links found with these references will be removed and posters of those links will be directly and harshly dealt with, not excluding a permanent ban from the SimHQ site.

Do not post links to illegal material. Even a link to a link to a link to illegal material is a violation of the SimHQ Use Agreement. Please, just don't go there!

Thank you,


EP

Originan Falcon code has been released to public domain after Microprose closure, executable not. This means that you can develop using the code as long as you don't earn money for it but the copyright for the finished product is still being enforced.

@Bludeath, I'd be interested to see the documentation that releases the original Falcon code to public domain. Can you PM it to me, or share it here?

The source code was not released with the blessing of those who owned the intellectual property (IP) at that time (as was the case with EECH and EAW source code).

AFAIK, Graphsim Entertainment currently owns the IP to Falcon.....

EDIT: Check that.

Just found this on the Graphsim site (http://www.graphsim.com/legal.html)

FALCON 4.0: ALLIED FORCE is produced by Graphsim Entertainment Corp. under exclusive license from Atari Interactive, Inc. FALCON 4.0 and ATARI word marks and logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Atari Interactive, Inc. in the U.S. and other territories.

So Atari owns it, unless they sold it since the Graphsim web site was last updated. It is not public domain.

Interesting read, to be certain. And raises a hundred questions for me.
I wonder if BMS uses the code for Falcon 4.06 or 4.00 as their flight model reminds me of earlier Falcon4.

Since Falcon has a large community, I'm quite surprised everyone in the community isn't hacking away at code and graphics.
I'm starting my own learning curve to modify Allied Force to my liking...mainly in the graphics areas for starters.

I think the Falcon leak would have presented a grand opportunity for everyone interested to get a basic handle on coding fundementals and that information be shared instead of guarded by coding graduates and hackers.

The educational value of an intellectual property doesn't reflect on the legality of freely sharing or distributing that IP.

Good Call, Einstein =p

Was thinking about getting a copy from the Amazon link, but not at $150 +. Little rich for my blood.

And to think that at one time, I had two binder editions.

I saw one listed there for under $30, and a few in the $50 range.

Here's one on eBay with a buy-it-now price of $40:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Falcon-4-0-PC-Ga...=item46034c6f98

I recently found this on an "Abandonware" website

The very first rendition of Falcon 4 - publisher given as "Hasbro International"

Does anybody know if intellectual property rights have a legal expiration date? Look at all the books currently being published long after their authors and their relatives have expired... 18th century and 19th century lit comes to mind... maybe some as recent as the 20th century... Do any of these legalisms apply to software code as well?

Yes, as far as I know it's 70 - 90 years (depends on country) from the death of the author(s).

@JonnyD - abandonware is not legal.

I put the GOG.com whish link here, perhaps if this gets enough votes GOG and Atari might decide to put in on sale there.

http://www.gog.com/en/wishlist/games/falcon_40_original_not_allied_force

I've got the .exe and ONLY the .exe hosted on [admin edit: don't advertise where one can find pirated materials please]

It's not the full game, just the .exe so I'm not sure of the legality there tbh.

I'm not trying to be naughty, just trying to help people out. Am I safe??

Blud

I'm an Author and ex-Publisher. The publishing business is still registered but the business is now closed. I participated in the writing of an engineering text book in conjunction with a co-author. It is now not in print. We hold the copyright for the book and receive intellectual property reimbursement from those who wish to reproduce sections out of the book. We have an organization here in Oz that handles collection and distribution of the same. I have no problems of an individual printing a couple of pages for their personal use, but multiple reproduction in terms of content or volume is not acceptable irrespective of the legality, or otherwise, of the same.

Nope. That's quite naughty, and is a copyright violation suspect to full punishment under the law. In these forums, do not post links here or advertise/discuss/hint where such things can be found. That's a bannable offense.

As a virtual pilot, I have nothing but admiration for how the BMS team has improved on Falcon 4... hell, I've even had the most time in Allied Force and that is "newer," but BMS still blows me away! What better way to promote your hobby and get new blood than by helping others play? I've been tempted time and again to share the .exe, just the .exe, and pile up the reasons along the "why not?" category. However, as this practice is not encouraged not only by SimHQ but by the BMS team themselves, I've chosen to respect that choice by the devs and simply encourage others who are interested in this game to hunt around eBay for a used (or unused!) copy.

The only downside to this obviously is that as BMS gets more-and-more polished, more and more pilots will want to fly it but there are only limited number of Falcon 4 copies in circulation.... I hope the BMS devs see this dilemma and sort out a workaround!

Source code has not been stolen, it has been released by the programmers.

since the need of the origina executable is done intentionally to respect original copyright owners work, (basically BMS has to be considered an add-on for people who rightfully have bought the original game) the only way to avoid the need of the original CD would be rewrite all the core code from scratch. Not very practical. Personally i own an F4 original boxed copy but i keep it as a relic and i only use the backup CD done with a normal burning software and no cracks were needed (either the original wasn't protected or i never noticed the protection errors when played original F4)In the past I borrowed the CD to a friend of mine for "evangelization purposes" but giving a CD to a friend to see if he likes the game is one thing, distributing it for free is entirely another matter, old Amiga owners should remember the "spread the word not the disk" philosophy of early nineties.
Honestly guys if you really want a pirated copy of anything just work on your goggling/torrent searching skills (I'm not making a moral point but if you decide to do something at least do it right).

Actually it was a leak. The programmers, as is usual, didn't have any kind of ownership over the product. The only legal IP owner is the company (I think is Atari) and they didn't release anything to the public.

I'm glad that they leaked the code, but still illegal.

Maybe

but on the other hand if the IP holder wants to hold onto the code and do nothing with it - they can go **** themselves.

Every now and then ex LP members state they haven't given up etc - but there has been no evidence of that anywhere.

Says you.

Guys, you can scream, biatch, or hold your breath till blue, but the owners are the owners of the IP. And they control the rights to its use. Or not.

In some cases code has been released to the sim community with conditions (EECH) and in some cases it hasn't.

Hell, I picked up my version of the original Falcon 4.0 (with the tome of a manual) for £1 from a car boot sale. Keep your eyes peeled people.

Besides, I refuse to participate in piracy. My artwork has been pinched more times than I can remember, and I wont do it to someone else's efforts, irrespective of peoples perceived "morality".

Makes me wonder how GOG is able to sell Microprose F-117 with my scanned Manual (if you have it, you can find my name). I'm cool with it and glad it's available (I even bought it again to support them and the game, and for their DOSBox tweaks), but it still makes me wonder.

How did they get your scan? I know they have used docs from replacementdocs.com in some of their older games. Did you upload it there?

I didn't, but maybe someone else did. IIRC, the one on replacementdocs.com has a different cover.

Curious.

I neither advocate nor condone software piracy.

However, in the case of a 17 year old game where the IP ownership has changed a few times, no food is being taken off anyone's table.

GOG Falcon Collection

I ordered this today and although it was supposed to include Falcon 4.0 it was not included with the available downloads. Buyer beware!

Maybe this will help:

Thanks, I found it and have it installed.

Just to be sure. If I buy the Falcon collection on GOG.com it includes Falcon 4 and that version can be used with BMS 4.33?

Yes it will work, all you need is the falcon4.exe file. Not sure if you can extract it from the download or if you have to install.

You have to install it. But once installed, you can copy the exe somewhere and then uninstall it and just retain the exe for any future BMS installs.

Thx for the help Will buy on GOG and try it out.

Since I was a kid in the early 80's I have always loved the F16 as it was the newest airplane in the Danish Air Force.

When a Draken or Starfighter flew buy it was cool. But when several falcons came flying it was just great Best was when they where simulating air attacks on the local bridge here in Sønderborg. To this day the F16 is to me the most beautiful fighter plane ever build.

As much as I love DCS it still lags for me the immersion and feeling of being in a real war. Something I felt older sims like LB2 and others had. I hope Falcon can create that feeling on top of letting me play with my favorite airplane.

Correct. Good also to run the old Falcon and see how far we have come.

The BMS team has announced an agreement with the holders of the Falcon 4 intellectual property (Tommo) that involves the next release of BMS (4.33.1) requiring an installed version of Falcon 4. I think this is a very good thing and hopefully will ensure BMS continues long into the future without risk of being shutdown or driven underground over copyright issues.

According to the post the new version of BMS isn't an incremental installer. It will be a new BMS install.

Falcon 4 can be bought on Tommo's Retroism, Steam and GOG.com

Steam has both standalone Falcon 4 and the Falcon Collection that includes Falcon 4.

Retroism: (Falcon Collection)
http://retroism.com/falcon-collection/

GOG: (Falcon Collection)
https://www.gog.com/game/falcon_collection

Steam (Falcon 4):
http://store.steampowered.com/app/429530/

Steam (Falcon Collection):
http://store.steampowered.com/sub/89098/

BMS Announcement on 4.33.1 and Tommo agreement:

http://www.bmsforum.org/forum/showthread...-to-be-prepared

the whole pack is $2.50 on GoG right now.