Legality question - modding related

[bebro]

This is something I'm wondering about:

I bought PzC vanilla, AK and DLCs 39-42 so far.

I understand I can use the content I have to make mods, unless I start to offer whole copies of the game...

But let's say I create a custom scenario based on a map from one of those DLCs, and want to share it with the community. Does it play any role that not all users who may want to play it own the DLC this map is taken from?

Similarly, can I request an empty map/scn file from DLCs I do *not* own (for example from a fellow player who owns that specific DLC) and use it further to create own scenarios?

A clarification would be nice. I posted it here in the general forum because I thought this to be better

[Shrike]

Bit off topic, but I'd really like some multiplayer feature whereby the server hosts all available maps and the users can start games with the extra maps on there. Would save a lot of hassle and be less frustrating to players who don't know how to install extra scenarios. There could be a submit feature for new maps of course, be that moderated or not. Really, I see no easier way to share custom map, provided the maps are made by use of the standard equipment and other game files.

[Kerensky]

If you take a baseline DLC scenario and modify it, the protections on the file remain intact. Anyone with the DLC installed where those scenarios originated from can still play it, but no one else would.

So, if you grab an empty map from a DLC you do not own, you can modify and tweak the map, but you yourself won't be able to play it. You'll get a 'content pack not found' error, as will anyone else who tries to play that scenario but does not have the associated DLC.

Best bet is make DLC mods that affect specific DLC, or build maps from scratch. Unfortunately any mixture of the two is likely to cause playability problems for you and anyone trying to play your mod.

[bebro]

Thanks a bunch, I hadn't thought about protection-related issues. Good to know

[Vaughn]

This is good to know. I'm glad someone asked this question. I was planning on creating a little something, but I figured that I would not reinvent the wheel and just use my favorite maps from various DLCS.

I'm glad I did not waste my time. Oh well. Map-making is kind of fun.