[Space] System Generator

Crakkerjakk · 07-10-2007, 01:30 PM

A friend and I were thinking about writing some code to automate the process of randomly creating a star system, as outlined in 4ed Space. I was looking at the .pdf with the planetary control sheet, and basically the idea is to try to make a program that has a bunch of fields on that .pdf, you enter what you want (e.g. Primary Star solar mass = 1.1 or garden world in system) and the program back engineers the rest just like you would do if you were doing the stuff on paper. Or you can just hit the random button and it does the whole thing for you.

What I was wondering was this.

1) Whats the legality of this? It involves a couple of copyrighted materials (GURPS Space 4th ed and the GM Planetary control sheet PDF.) Do I just have to put in some disclaimers, give credit, etc? Or it it verbotten, since it automates the process of two chapters of GURPS Space? If thats the case, what if I distributed it in a zipped file whose passcode to unlock it was the nth word of the kth page of GURPS space (or something equivalent)? I don't plan on selling this or anything, just figured if I'm gonna put in all the time and effort others should have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

2) Has something like this already been done?

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Eltharon · 07-10-2007, 02:02 PM

I'm almost positive that you are allowed to make this provided that you do not sell it and put a notice (" GURPS is proporty of Steve Jackson Games Inc...") somewhere in the program.

hackbarth · 07-10-2007, 02:19 PM

Read this first:

http://www.sjgames.com/general/online_policy.html

I believe this is the relevant part:

V. So, does that mean that I can . . .
Create a character generator or other game aid?
Yes, as long as you include the appropriate notices. We want to ENCOURAGE our fans to create these programs, share them with the community, and have fun doing it. If you want to charge money for a game aid based on our work, the Online Policy does NOT apply . . . you must either get a license from us, or sell us the game aid for distribution as a regular product, and either way we'll hold you to professional standards. Email licensing@sjgames.com with a formal proposal letter.

We do, however, have some advice for creators of game aid programs. First, provide documentation. Some simple instructions on how to use the most basic features will be a big help to users. Second, support your creation. We've set up a forum for feedback; plan on being aware and active in these discussions.

Shrale · 07-10-2007, 08:50 PM

hope you guys use XML as a database.

Flyndaran · 07-10-2007, 02:11 PM

I would LOVE to see a 4th ed. system generating program built.
I would buy that hypothetical program without a moment's hesitation, if it weren't illegal for you to sell, that is.

trooper6 · 07-10-2007, 02:15 PM

I wonder if you could submit a proposal for the program to e23?

Alden Loveshade · 11-04-2016, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crakkerjakk

A friend and I were thinking about writing some code to automate the process of randomly creating a star system, as outlined in 4ed Space. I was looking at the .pdf with the planetary control sheet, and basically the idea is to try to make a program that has a bunch of fields on that .pdf, you enter what you want (e.g. Primary Star solar mass = 1.1 or garden world in system) and the program back engineers the rest just like you would do if you were doing the stuff on paper. Or you can just hit the random button and it does the whole thing for you....

I'm bumping a really old thread. I may have missed it in the discussion (I found some dead links), but did this program ever get made and if so where is it?

Captain Joy · 11-04-2016, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alden_Loveshade

I'm bumping a really old thread. I may have missed it in the discussion (I found some dead links), but did this program ever get made and if so where is it?

This was the link I had, and it is doesn't work for me now either: ultima.vsos.ethz.ch:8080

mook · 11-06-2016, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain Joy

This was the link I had, and it is doesn't work for me now either: ultima.vsos.ethz.ch:8080

I believe this generator moved here.

Myrion · 11-06-2016, 10:35 PM

Indeed, Mook is right. The Starsystem Generator is now at https://ultima.vsos.ethz.ch/starsystem-gen/

and it is indeed simply a hosted version of the code at
https://github.com/tschoppi/starsystem-gen/

[EDIT] This is not my thread! This is a much older one, that I didn't know about. So no, this isn't the originally discussed program.
But it does create systems according to GURPS Space 4e, and has both a web-based GUI and a CLI capable of generating LaTeX output, which can be turned into PDFs.

07-10-2007, 01:30 PM	#1
Crakkerjakk "Gimme 18 minutes . . ." Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Albuquerque, NM	[Space] System Generator A friend and I were thinking about writing some code to automate the process of randomly creating a star system, as outlined in 4ed Space. I was looking at the .pdf with the planetary control sheet, and basically the idea is to try to make a program that has a bunch of fields on that .pdf, you enter what you want (e.g. Primary Star solar mass = 1.1 or garden world in system) and the program back engineers the rest just like you would do if you were doing the stuff on paper. Or you can just hit the random button and it does the whole thing for you. What I was wondering was this. 1) Whats the legality of this? It involves a couple of copyrighted materials (GURPS Space 4th ed and the GM Planetary control sheet PDF.) Do I just have to put in some disclaimers, give credit, etc? Or it it verbotten, since it automates the process of two chapters of GURPS Space? If thats the case, what if I distributed it in a zipped file whose passcode to unlock it was the nth word of the kth page of GURPS space (or something equivalent)? I don't plan on selling this or anything, just figured if I'm gonna put in all the time and effort others should have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of my labor. 2) Has something like this already been done? Thanks in advance for your responses. __________________ My bare bones web page Semper Fi

07-10-2007, 02:02 PM	#2
Eltharon Join Date: May 2007	Re: [Space] System Generator I'm almost positive that you are allowed to make this provided that you do not sell it and put a notice (" GURPS is proporty of Steve Jackson Games Inc...") somewhere in the program.

07-10-2007, 02:19 PM	#3
hackbarth Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Brasilia, Brazil	Re: [Space] System Generator Read this first: http://www.sjgames.com/general/online_policy.html I believe this is the relevant part: V. So, does that mean that I can . . . Create a character generator or other game aid? Yes, as long as you include the appropriate notices. We want to ENCOURAGE our fans to create these programs, share them with the community, and have fun doing it. If you want to charge money for a game aid based on our work, the Online Policy does NOT apply . . . you must either get a license from us, or sell us the game aid for distribution as a regular product, and either way we'll hold you to professional standards. Email licensing@sjgames.com with a formal proposal letter. We do, however, have some advice for creators of game aid programs. First, provide documentation. Some simple instructions on how to use the most basic features will be a big help to users. Second, support your creation. We've set up a forum for feedback; plan on being aware and active in these discussions. __________________ See my GCS Templates and GURPS Articles at my GURPS page.

07-10-2007, 08:50 PM	#4
Shrale Join Date: Jan 2007	Re: [Space] System Generator hope you guys use XML as a database. __________________ "Now you see me, now you don't, woof" -- The Invisible Vargr . . There are 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't.

07-10-2007, 02:11 PM	#5
Flyndaran Untagged Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Forest Grove, Beaverton, Oregon	Re: [Space] System Generator I would LOVE to see a 4th ed. system generating program built. I would buy that hypothetical program without a moment's hesitation, if it weren't illegal for you to sell, that is.

07-10-2007, 02:15 PM	#6
trooper6 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Medford, MA	Re: [Space] System Generator I wonder if you could submit a proposal for the program to e23?

11-06-2016, 10:35 PM	#10
Myrion Join Date: Jan 2011	Re: [Space] System Generator Indeed, Mook is right. The Starsystem Generator is now at https://ultima.vsos.ethz.ch/starsystem-gen/ and it is indeed simply a hosted version of the code at https://github.com/tschoppi/starsystem-gen/ [EDIT] This is not my thread! This is a much older one, that I didn't know about. So no, this isn't the originally discussed program. But it does create systems according to GURPS Space 4e, and has both a web-based GUI and a CLI capable of generating LaTeX output, which can be turned into PDFs. __________________ A Literate Programmer's Blog: My blog about whatever comes to mind, including GURPS. Last edited by Myrion; 11-06-2016 at 11:30 PM. Reason: Read the effin thread...