| Game_boy said: I agree that new a server backend could be made, but per above most of the work in processing movement would be done on the server, so most of the game engine would have to be rewritten. It just woldn't be worth it. The third-party would also find it hard to repackage and redistribute the content and graphics upgrades (illegally) to keep parity with the main game. |
I wouldn't put it past people, if there is demand it will be done. Just of the top of my head, bnetd (Battle.net clone) is a decent example, and that was created through reverse engineering. If you are supplying them full documentation, this makes building a clone significantly easier. Many MMOs also have private servers available, too. If that can be done, I can't see why the client would need to be modified either, other than to redirect it to the new server.
I can't see repackaging and redistribution of upgrade to be a problem. Updates for games available through Steam are often cracked and repackaged as an update. TF2 often has its updates cracked and pirated and are repackaged just as the update itself. Portal was available as only the additional content (not the whole source engine) to pirates as well.
