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New Stern EULA
- Thread starter Fubar
- Start date
Maybe they could have Gary in his 'cartoon version' that makes him look like someone who was too old to be in the A team waving his finger at you tutting.
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2011
- Messages
- 3,633
Seems like they are going online soon.
You will not use or install any Unauthorized Content or Unauthorized
Software. Use of Unauthorized Content or Unauthorized Software
may result in your Stern Pinball Machine ceasing to work
permanently and/or losing access to Stern Pinball’s online game
network, either immediately or after a later installed Authorized
Update.
How do they apply this retrospectively? If I decide to stream my Tron with daft punk sound mod and colordmd, I didn't sign up to this eula. Even if there was new code it cant apply to existing hardware?
Sounds like streaming Fathom is the way to go.
Sounds like streaming Fathom is the way to go.
D
Deleted member 2463
George Gomez announced Stern was going online two years ago so nothing new there.
Stern can't apply it retrospectively.
Stern can't apply it retrospectively.
I don't think they'll be bricking machines of course but I wouldn't underestimate just how far they're willing to go with online features etc. Leaderboards, friends lists, trophies/achievements, weekly challenges, reward schemes. That kind of spiel. These would be great additions. Then ban anyone who messes with the code.
D
Deleted member 2463
which nearly every online gaming service does the same if you mess with the console or code. Stern need to show that their platform has integrity so I applaud them for taking a hardline stance on it.
Yeah tbh mate I'm not especially ar5ed one way or the other. Bit of a shame as I love some of the custom codes and Stern aren't exactly known for splashing the cash securing assets for licences but what can you do. I get why they're doing it.
D
Deleted member 2463
If Stern do lock any CPU's then I'll definitely be fixing that. The car industry did that with its ECU's and took us a weekend to crack 12 different manufacturers software protection ahead of the Frankfurt motor show.
Stern could fix the pinball browser stuff by going for signed code and encryption. Why they haven't done this is beyond me, you can see in the code and file structure that they are on that path they just need to hurry it up.
and yes disco maiden will come to an end and I can live with that.
Cheers,
Neil.
D
Deleted member 2463
they won't splash the cash because we the public won't splash the cash. Want to pay a grand more for your assets? The market just doesn't stand for it sadly. Personally speaking I'd rather spend a grand more for same theme level and more on gameplay!
Neil.
Every cloud...
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Deleted member 2463
Hmm, but your BW license owner is the most aggressive in this space. PPS do the cease and desist process more than anyone else in pinball!
I do think a really solid and well implemented online service with the features I mentioned above would hugely soften the blow of no more custom code. Be awesome if we could have Pinball Info friends lists. Online tournaments even. So much potential.
Zero interest here in going online to play.
Bored with that years ago with PCs + consoles which is why I went back to retro - Pinball.
The leaderboard stuff, meh..
Would rather just crack some beer with buddies and play once this sh^t storm blows over.
Oh, and on the coding, you don’t see Apple ship out vulnerable code on their devices and say, “please don’t hack”, here’s an EULA.
1st line of defence, harden your code.
How long has Stern shipped vulnerable code and allowed peeps to infringe, the precedent has been set for quite some time.
Bored with that years ago with PCs + consoles which is why I went back to retro - Pinball.
The leaderboard stuff, meh..
Would rather just crack some beer with buddies and play once this sh^t storm blows over.
Oh, and on the coding, you don’t see Apple ship out vulnerable code on their devices and say, “please don’t hack”, here’s an EULA.
1st line of defence, harden your code.
How long has Stern shipped vulnerable code and allowed peeps to infringe, the precedent has been set for quite some time.
Why don’t you decompile the firmware now then as we could use a set of source for it?? And whilst you at it decompile the customs on the sam cpu board aswell!
Dubi
Registered
Is there an exception clause in the EULA for Stern's copyrighting of the Haggis Pinball expression lights?
I think we can all agree with this! That said I love the idea of online functionality but I don't think it'll be done well, certainly not at first. Also, Stern probably won't block beers and mates from online games you wouldn't think.
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My feelings entirely. A massive part of the allure of pinball for me is that it isn't part of the modern gaming world.
I love visiting people, being sociable or showing folk my machines and having a good game of doubles. I can see the connectivity attraction for some of course but online pinball is not for me.
As for the code hacks . . . . . I can't think that I've overly used them so I'm not bothered.
Modding the machine should be left well alone though. If Stern don't want people sticking toys in their machines than maybe they should install some themselves. My 3 favourite games are probably Spike 2 but they're so barren it's embarrassing. The 2D plastic cut-outs in place of toys are a joke compared Bally Williams, JJP & earlier Sterns like LOTR.
There's no doubt that Stern will look like the bad guys to many here though. It might all be about covering their ****s but if people are concerned about not being able to stream, fitting mods and having their expensive machines remotely turned off then it comes across as bullying.
It's a shame that JJP don't produce more machines because there is a massive opportunity for them as a competitor to come out with a charm offensive and user friendly manifesto that embraces streaming.
It's funny that guys that met on an internet pinball website aren't keen on online in their games. I think if done well online stuff could be a great addition. As for modern gaming. This afternoon I'm playing Streets of Rage 2 with my brother who's tier 4ed in London whilst we catch up on the headsets on PS4. Not all bad chaps.
Can you write that on a postcard next time please?
A wax sealed scroll is being carrier pigeoned to you as we speak!
I guess Stern just had to do this to keep people like Led Zep lot happy that they are taking steps to prevent unauthorized use of the IP. they can go to any IP holder now an say - "look this is the steps we have taken to protect your IP that we're putting in our pinball machines. " I doubt they will enforce it much. They may start to try brick machines that don't have the correct code - but the remedy would be to revert back to the original code. Whatever they do will get hacked, and they know it as well as we do - so why bother. Its like the old ads in the 80's, remember this plastered on the inner sleeves of all your records:
Do you remember when Lars Ulrich was going bananas over MP3 and specifically Napster? Shawn Fanning then gave an award at the VMA's wearing this;
Elite level trolling.
Elite level trolling.
Carrier Pigeon Pinball . . . . . . now you're talking.
Try and ban that Mr Gary 'Grinch' Stern
I have a solution for the streaming conundrum. Simply turn the machine sound off, open up the old vocal chords and belt out a solo of 'Run to the Hills' or 'Whole lotta Love'.
I actually quite fancy a pinballinfo group stranger things high score list and remote online tournament you can dip into. Just like what williams started with pin2k and I ran for rfm 10-12 years ago
will they release a seperate ‘online’ node board option for connecting older games??
will they release a seperate ‘online’ node board option for connecting older games??
i guess they could. and i guess there will be a scorebit rival or two soon. A £99 price point rival would sell loads i think.
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The bigger question regarding online tournaments is who is going to administer the score tables and users? Subscription service will be needed on a monthly basis as they don’t run themselves regardless of what people seem to think or used to... I hope we’ve moved passed all the **** I got ten years ago for trying to charge a small fee to run one anyway.
I eould happily pay the same as a Netflix subscription for access etc