Microsoft Game Content Usage Rules Clarifications!

[Siliconmaster]

I just got off an hour-long phone call with microsoft support, and they say the following about the Content Usage Rules (http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/developer/rules.htm):

The "reverse engineering" rule refers generally to cheating tools ingame, mostly the sort of ingame dev stuff that's always being used in CE. People shouldn't be allowed to get places in the game they shouldn't normally. Not sure what this means for modding, but it DOES mean that 3d models taken from the game are completely legal for use in machinima movies, as long as the message is tacked on the end.

The "sound effect" rule is because, I quote: "We often license those from third parties and don’t have the rights to pass them on to you." This means that according to support, if Bungie gives us permission to use the sound effects, we absolutely can.

For the record, the support call number was 1042559334, so we can reference it if needed. :D

[[EJ] Bean]

Amazing. Even after reading it three times in a row I can hardly believe it. You rock^0! (undefined awesomeness or 1 which if we are talking binary can just be true awesomeness)

[Con]

Sounds like they'll be a bit more lenient in the map-making category! Thanks for the clarification, +rep for you.

[Limited]

The "sound effect" rule is because, I quote: "We often license those from third parties and don’t have the rights to pass them on to you." This means that according to support, if Bungie gives us permission to use the sound effects, we absolutely can.
Just to clarify, they cant give us permission to use it, so they wont. I feel your giving us the wrong impression with the statement :)

Bungie passes on the sounds, such as soundtrack that was made by marty and sells them to a record company that then sells them, this is why you cant use it. As for actual sound effects like a gun shooting, I dont see why you cant use them, but you cant.

[Siliconmaster]

Bungie passes on the sounds, such as soundtrack that was made by marty and sells them to a record company that then sells them, this is why you cant use it. As for actual sound effects like a gun shooting, I dont see why you cant use them, but you cant.

Hmm. You definitely have a point, but it's worth looking into. I'll try emailing(?) Bungie and see if I can get a response. If they say no, ok then, at least we tried. But at least we know it isn't Microsoft with the leash- makes me feel a bit better. :)

[Limited]

But I dont think M$ will do any thing serious if you break the rules, say you posted a machinima video on youtube with sounds in, I think the most they'd do is ask youtube to remove it.

[Siliconmaster]

Yeah- I'm not that concerned with Microsoft and its minions coming after anyone, but it would certainly be nice to know that it's possible or not. For the moment anyway, my group is continuing with normal sound effects.

[Con]

I think these rules are more meant to scare people off who might do the worst things, rather than stop us from being creative period.

[n00b1n8R]

they might go all music industry and sue people at random :3

[ExAm]

Just to clarify, they cant give us permission to use it, so they wont. I feel your giving us the wrong impression with the statement :)

Bungie passes on the sounds, such as soundtrack that was made by marty and sells them to a record company that then sells them, this is why you cant use it. As for actual sound effects like a gun shooting, I dont see why you cant use them, but you cant.Personally, I don't think Microsoft would be that frivolous. If you make a machinima, with footage recorded with sound, it's probably not an infraction. However, if you create something other than a machinima, like a 2D animation, you're not allowed to rip those sounds and use them in that. That's my view, anyway. However, the whole "you may not expand on the storyline" thing is WAY out of line.

[KIWIDOGGIE]

well montages dont need sound

[p0lar_bear]

We're all overreacting; the rules aren't targeted at us hobbyists, but more at the people trying to copy Rooster Teeth Studios' success and making money directly off of a Microsoft-owned IP without their express permission.

Think about it; as much as we all like to joke about it, Microsoft won't chase down every 12-year old who makes a shitty fanfic film out of Halo 2, because it's not practical and a waste of money. However, if there's a popular "studio" who makes these fanfic films and is rolling in dough from it, Microsoft will intervene.

[Rob Oplawar]

That's good to hear. Although that implies frustration for me anyway- Bridge CE can get away undetected if it's unpopular, but then, I'd be really disappointed if noone played my map. But if it is really popular, well the more popular it is the more chance MS has to decide they don't like it. But whatev, I'm gonna keep pluggin away one way or another.