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Yes, UE4 is not FOSS as per GNU, it is open source in that you can see the code and there's a large community contributing fixes and additions with every new ve

Yes, UE4 is not FOSS as per GNU, it is open source in that you can see the code and there's a large community contributing fixes and additions with every new version. I think the distinction is pedantic for most users.

skybrian 8y ago
The Open Source Definition doesn't come from the Free Software Foundation or "GNU". It's a separate organization.[1]. Also the whole point of this story is that license terms do matter, especially if you want to sell games commercially. [1] https://opensource.org/osd-annotated https://opensource.org/osd-annotated
- dave_sullivan 8y ago
  I think the distinction is pedantic for most users.
thecatspaw 8y ago
Unitys C# code is also visible source
- dave_sullivan 8y ago
  I missed that announcement, good for them, too little too late: https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-source-code/ https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-s...
  - erik 8y ago
    Note that this is just the C# layer. The underlying C++ engine code is still only available under "call us" license terms.
PhasmaFelis 8y ago
"Source-available" seems to be the preferred term for what UE4 is. > I think the distinction is pedantic for most users. In a technical discussion, there's no reason not to use the proper terms for things.
tapoxi 8y ago
> I think the distinction is pedantic for most users. The distinction is that the code you write belongs to Epic. You become an unpaid contractor.
Rychard 8y ago
Isn't Unity similar in that regard? (well, as far as viewing the source-code, they don't accept patches to my understanding) https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-source-code/ https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-s...
- foota 8y ago
  No, the amount of unity released is tiny.
- akx 8y ago
  That's just the C# code; not the native C++ bits which are the core of the renderer and engine. UE4 is open to every last bit.
wolf550e 8y ago
You're wrong, users of software libraries care whether they're allowed to fork the library or not.
- Dylan16807 8y ago
  Define fork. You can make your own custom version and share that code with anyone, and use it exactly as freely as the original version. The reason it's not open source is the royalty clause, not lack of ability to see/edit/modify/fork the code.
Mikeb85 8y ago
Shared source isn't open source. You may have access to it, but you don't own it.

skybrian 8y ago

The Open Source Definition doesn't come from the Free Software Foundation or "GNU". It's a separate organization.[1]. Also the whole point of this story is that license terms do matter, especially if you want to sell games commercially. [1] https://opensource.org/osd-annotated https://opensource.org/osd-annotated

dave_sullivan 8y ago
I think the distinction is pedantic for most users.

thecatspaw 8y ago

Unitys C# code is also visible source

dave_sullivan 8y ago
I missed that announcement, good for them, too little too late: https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-source-code/ https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-s...
- erik 8y ago
  Note that this is just the C# layer. The underlying C++ engine code is still only available under "call us" license terms.

PhasmaFelis 8y ago

"Source-available" seems to be the preferred term for what UE4 is. > I think the distinction is pedantic for most users. In a technical discussion, there's no reason not to use the proper terms for things.

tapoxi 8y ago

> I think the distinction is pedantic for most users. The distinction is that the code you write belongs to Epic. You become an unpaid contractor.

Rychard 8y ago

Isn't Unity similar in that regard? (well, as far as viewing the source-code, they don't accept patches to my understanding) https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-source-code/ https://blogs.unity3d.com/2018/03/26/releasing-the-unity-c-s...

foota 8y ago
No, the amount of unity released is tiny.
akx 8y ago
That's just the C# code; not the native C++ bits which are the core of the renderer and engine. UE4 is open to every last bit.

wolf550e 8y ago

You're wrong, users of software libraries care whether they're allowed to fork the library or not.

Dylan16807 8y ago
Define fork. You can make your own custom version and share that code with anyone, and use it exactly as freely as the original version. The reason it's not open source is the royalty clause, not lack of ability to see/edit/modify/fork the code.

Mikeb85 8y ago

Shared source isn't open source. You may have access to it, but you don't own it.