I think it would be a neat idea for Roblox to partially open-source the Roblox engine - a lot of us here are familiar with different programming languages, and I think (Combined), we could help fix bugs + patch exploits in the Roblox engine quickly.
Opinions are welcomed, I’d love to get input on this.
Totally agree with you though you’d need to sign a legal document or something to have access to any of the code so you don’t get shady scumbags leaving holes in the system.
open source the interface, lock the under layers, and use it as a library, I would love to make a linux port to roblox, and would do it if they ever opened source, roblox is the only reason I’m a windows user (and yes, I use XP because of preferance)
Totally agree - I’d switch to Mint in a heartbeat if I could get Wine working with Roblox.
The biggest barrier that isn’t usually brought up in these threads: The client uses a lot of security through obscurity in order to make non-filtering enabled games somewhat secure. Any amount of open sourcing would tear down a lot of that barrier.
Well we could a) force everyone to use FilteringEnabled or b) use a different kind of security or even c) shame (by like, cold shoulder or something) anyone who tries to exploit given the power of open source. We could even come up with d) or e) or f), until we get to z) then we have to use a different alphabet… But there has to be some way to compromise.
Well we could a) force everyone to use FilteringEnabled or b) use a different kind of security or even c) shame (by like, cold shoulder or something) anyone who tries to exploit given the power of open source. We could even come up with d) or e) or f), until we get to z) then we have to use a different alphabet… But there has to be some way to compromise.[/quote]
aa) ab) ac)
Anyway, could this potentially allow exploiters to find even more loopholes?
Well we could a) force everyone to use FilteringEnabled or b) use a different kind of security or even c) shame (by like, cold shoulder or something) anyone who tries to exploit given the power of open source. We could even come up with d) or e) or f), until we get to z) then we have to use a different alphabet… But there has to be some way to compromise.[/quote]
aa) ab) ac)
Anyway, could this potentially allow exploiters to find even more loopholes?[/quote]
Yes. And that’s a good thing.
Right now, exploits are being found at a steady rate. Opening the source would allow lots of exploits to be found in a short amount of time. While exploits would be widespread for a while, these exploits can be quickly fixed by other members of the community until it becomes insanely difficult to find new exploits.
It’s really a question of whether we want to bite the sour apple now, or to have someone force it down our throats when we least expect (or want) them to.
I’d be one to deal with it now instead of waiting it out. I don’t like having vulnerabilities and no more than the hope wo one will ever find them. Because they will find those vulnerabilities either way.
No, it’s not.
Unless all games switch to use FilteringEnabled, we have to use protection methods that become ineffective if the attacker has full source code. Right now about 1% of game instances are using FE (so an average user has a 1% chance playing a FE game). When this number grows to 95% we can have this discussion again.
Anyone who wants to open-source ROBLOX is either one of those kool kats that wants to make tiny, tiny, miniscule changes to it to satisfy their desires or people who are overconfident in their/others’ programming abilities.
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Quit underestimating people’s abilities to program.
An open source studio would be nice 
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Quit underestimating people’s abilities to program.
An open source studio would be nice :)[/quote]
If anyone here could do anything useful with the source, then they could just as easily make it from scratch. Knowing how for loops work in C++ does not mean you can do anything useful with the code.
I wouldn’t be so sure of that. Quit underestimating people’s abilities to program.
An open source studio would be nice :)[/quote]
If anyone here could do anything useful with the source, then they could just as easily make it from scratch. Knowing how for loops work in C++ does not mean you can do anything useful with the code.[/quote]
Any non-blanket statements you want to add to the conversation?
OT: Maybe Roblox studio could be open-sourced for certain developers (Top developers specifically), and they’re required to sign an agreement understanding the legal consequences of leaking a build of Roblox Studio.
It’s called being an intern.
It’s called being an intern.[/quote]
Fair enough
I see two huge things wrong with this.
Obviously security, as mentioned before. And the fact that you’re asking a corporation to give away one of their only selling points for others to copy/steal/use for themselves, etc.
It’s called being an intern.[/quote]
Or it’s called being-a-great-developer-and-living-near-HQ.
Makes me sad.
“Or it’s called being-a-great-developer-and-living-near-HQ.”
Depends, I normally live all the way up in Canada, as does one of the other interns this year. In fact, I think only one of the interns actually normally lives within commuting distance of the office. If you’re 18+ and you have the will then there is a way.
[quote] “Or it’s called being-a-great-developer-and-living-near-HQ.”
Depends, I normally live all the way up in Canada, as does one of the other interns this year. In fact, I think only one of the interns actually normally lives within commuting distance of the office. If you’re 18+ and you have the will then there is a way. [/quote]
Well in that case I’ll see you next year.
I disagree with the broad brush statement of OS supporters being either nit-picky, or incompetent, for one, yes, I could make roblox all over again if I wanted to, as I am a 3D-maths guru, a C++ programmer, and a physics student, as well as a game programmer, but I won’t, because there is no reason to, roblox itself is more popular than a knockoff could ever be, and personally, I like roblox, however, if the OS’d, I would make large changes, such as a linux version, and fix several flaws with the studio tools, like the rotate tool not being locally oriented for models, etc., and add a few new features for studio tools, and for script writing as well.
Security through obscurity is a bad idea, you should limit the type of packets a client is allowed to send, and for things like changes to workspace, require a script ID along with the change packet, and it would be nigh-impossible for a script kiddie to mess with, a real hacker could, by using wireshark, and/or nmap, but those users will be highly rare, and are already capable of hacking real games, with more at stake.