quote:

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The recent release of the Falcon 4.0 source code was cause for concern here at iBeta. We were not quite sure how Hasbro Interactive would view hex editing and the Realism Patch project in light of the source code release. We have now had the opportunity to clarify these issues with Hasbro, and they send not only their approval to continue the realism patch project, but they fully support users developing edits to F4 that result in an increased enjoyment for their product.

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"We continue to be motivated to improve upon the Falcon 4.0 product, but only with the knowledge we gain by external experimentation."

Hmmm. Could "external experimentation" *possibly* come from "hexers" (ie: those who have the source code)?

I seriously doubt that NO future F4 improvements will come as a result of the release of the source code. Inevitably some improvements will find their way in...

So Jazz... I am not a hexer and have only did little bits of programming but I will try to explain the diff in layman's terms...

A hexer can look at the code in a sort of 'encrypted' mode. You can spy around a bit and sometimes locate things that you can change, but it is a monumental (read as cost prohibitive) to spy the whole thing and see how the whole program fits together.

A good programmer with the source code has an 'non-encrypted' copy of the program and can view the whole of the program to fix (read as there is no secret unrevealed).

Hasbro is saying they encourage hexing because it leaves basically all their secrets in tact. iBETA is simply saying that they can and will continue to hex now that they have Hasbro's blessing.

Somebody has the source code, and reading it, observes, for instance, that key C-V and 4 moves you in the wingman position.

So, it posts a post on this forum about that. Which is a very well outside-observable thing.