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Originally Posted by Bryant Again
Keyword highlighted. Like Dark has already stated, textures =/= software.
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Look at this, the definition of Software:
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Originally Posted by GW EULA
To use the Service, you will need to install software which NC Interactive makes available from the Web Site via download or which you have purchased from a retailer, including but not limited to all and any items accompanying the software, such as user manuals and access key (the "Software").
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"Software" (with the capital S), by this definition, refers to "software which NC Interactive makes available from the Web Site via download" which would be the game. What do you get when you use the installer you download? Gw.exe, the screens folder, the templates folder,
and the .dat file.
By this defnition, whatever is in the .dat file is part of the Software. Now this begs the question, "Is using this mod program modifying, adapting, reverse engineering, or decompiling any of those files in any way?" The last two can be pretty much thrown out, and apparently the program doesn't actually "modify" the .dat file so much as redirect it. But then we have "adapt." What exactly does this mean? Dictionary.com gives the definition...
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Originally Posted by Dictionary.com
a·dapt /əˈdæpt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ uh- dapt] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –verb (used with object) 1.to make suitable to requirements or conditions; adjust or modify fittingly: They adapted themselves to the change quickly. He adapted the novel for movies. –verb (used without object) 2.to adjust oneself to different conditions, environment, etc.: to adapt easily to all circumstances.
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In this case, the first definition applies, as an object is used. Are the files downloaded "being made suitable to requirements or conditions; adjusted or modified fittingly?" In this case, I believe "requirements or conditions" can be used to mean "criteria." Now, if we review the definition of Software, it pretty much means everything in the Guild Wars folder, plus whatever other files the installer installs (e.g. any .dll's). If those files are being changed in any way ("being made suitable to [criteria]"), then modding is against the EULA. If the files are *not* being changed, then modding is not against the EULA if the EULA means exactly what it says.
It's been previously stated that the modding program merely redirects the program to look for another file in place of the one in the .dat; this is verifiable in that running GW without the modding program does not produce the mods. Therefore the original .dat remains unchanged. However, what exactly does "redirecting" the program work? Honestly, I don't have a clue. However, if the mod program changes a line of code, adds something in, or whatever and causes a redirect, then that can be considered modification, and is thus against the EULA. To know for certain whether the program violates the EULA, you would have to know the inner workings of the program and determine whether it changes any of the files installed when you downloaded GW or installed it off the discs.
But if we take the words of those who have posted previously (here and other places), and the mod program leaves the .dat and other files unchanged, then modding would not be against the EULA (or at least that part of it).
Of course, this post by Gaile clears things up considerably for the time being.
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Originally Posted by Gaile Gray
We can't say you can do that, but we won't take action if you do choose to do it.
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It means they can't say, "Oh go ahead and mod," but they can say, "We do not support it, but doing it will not result in us taking action." This is the closest thing to an "OK" that Gaile can give without resulting in MAJOR problems and confusion regarding support of modding. It's similar to having someone say to you, "I really don't want you doing this, but if you're going to, then I won't stop you. Just don't call me if something goes wrong."