Doom 4 is set to include an editor,
Snapmap, to so fans of the game will be able to make mods and levels once the game is released. Whilst there's no-doubt going to be a fair bit of information about this in the coming months, one aspect likely to received little to no coverage will be the EULA under which the tools can be used. For most individuals the terms will be of little to no consequence, largely because in the grand scheme of things their work is unlikely to be picked up by anyone (unless it's truly unique or fun in some way). For hard-core modders or level designers however, if Snapmaps EULA is anything
like the one for RAGE (PDF pg 8), authors will essentially be
relinquish their claims (RIGHTS)
of authorship and ownership of any work created using the tools.
The two primary and pertinent sections are; first defining "
New Materials";
All uses of the Editor and any materials created using the Editor (the “New Materials”) are for Your own personal, non-commercial use solely in connection with the applicable Product, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement
It's important to note the distinction being made here, that the mere
ACT OF CREATING is itself subject to the EULA terms, which also applies to ANYTHING made with the tools.
Next come the waivers, that if these tools are used to create new content doing so means;
1.RESTRICTIONS ON USE
[... ]
If You distribute or otherwise make available New Materials, You automatically grant to Bethesda Softworks the irrevocable, perpetual, royalty free, sublicensable right and license under all applicable copyrights and intellectual property rights laws to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, perform, display, distribute and otherwise exploit and/or dispose of the New Materials (or any part of the New Materials) in any way Bethesda Softworks, or its respective designee(s), sees fit. You also waive and agree never to assert against Bethesda Softworks or its affiliates, distributors or licensors any moral rights or similar rights, however designated, that You may have in or to any of the New Materials. If You commit any breach of this Agreement, Your right to use the Editor under this Agreement shall automatically terminate, without notice.
Again it's important to note that although the agreement can be breached, doing so ONLY disobliges the user from using the tools to create more content, it DOES NOT nullify Bethesda's claim over materials that may have already been made available or even created.
Again, whilst these concerns may be of no interest to 'noobs/newbs', they should give pause for thought to the more seasoned modders/mappers, especially when it's unequivocally stated that NO commercial or for-profit exploitation is permitted (and that would include revenue generated from advertising). In other words, it's less likely those big projects of past 'doom' games are going to stand any chance of being publicly remunerated or supported without causing their respective author significant legal issue, something Bethesda is not shy about doing.
[
Both Bethesda and id Software were contacted about for clarification; Bethesda said they "have no information on upcoming products from our development studios". No reply from id Software as of time of writing.]
