Encrypted PAKs

[drahkar]

I'm working on developing a ruleset for a game system that I hope to get some involvement from the actual game developer. To that end, however I know they are going to want to restrict access to the raw data like graphics and such.

Is there some way to get the PAKs encrypted much like the D20 PAK is?

[ddavison]

There is but I haven't had a chance to dig into that part yet. I will get back to you on this, but if you don't hear back within a few days feel free to post again. I have a lot of irons in the fire.

[drahkar]

That would be great. A lot of game developer involvement will hinge on being able to protect content.

[unerwünscht]

I have not yet checked to see if it works, but there was a program for Civilization IV called 'PAKBuild' that would allow you to make and open the pak files for Civilization, Oblivion and several other applications. You might want to see if it works on the PAK files for Fantasy Grounds. Be for warned however, this could be seen as reverse compiling/decrypting protected information and thus could be against the TOS depending on your final use.

[drahkar]

I'm fairly certain that the PAKs used in the CIV series of games are a different format than those used here. Its been stated elsewhere on these forums that the PAKs are actually renamed ZIP files. I would hazard to guess that the encrypted ones are merely zipped and then encrypted.

The big thing would be the ability to encrypt and 'Lock' the PAK file so that the game can use them, but the other official utilities can't unPAK them. But doing that they encourage Game developers to get involved as they would be far more willing to supply materials (Like artwork) knowing that the only place it would be getting used (easily and legitimately at least as nothing is foolproof) was with the FGII Interface.

As it is I'll keep an eye out for what ddavison comes up with.

[Foen]

I'm not sure if it handles encryption, but there is something called FGPEMUtility recently released by SmiteWorks which packs and unpacks EXT PAK and MOD files.

Unfortunately I can't find the post with the download link, not least because PAK, MOD and EXT are too short to use as search terms :o(

Stuart

[Leonal]

It's in the download section under utilities.

I don't know about encryption though.

[drahkar]

Yea, that utility doesn't support encryption. Especially encryption in the form that I'm looking at. Its why I'll be interested in what ddavison and the other developers come up with.

Remember I'm interested in something that can encrypt the PAK and not contain the method to decrypt it outside of the program using the files itself. That way proprietary materials from the RPG developers can be negotiated for use in the rulesets.

[unerwünscht]

I think you are reaching a little too far here. Anything we as product developers can encrypt for use with the Fantasy Grounds application can be decrypted by anyone who has the encryption application. Further, with the nature of the community, and the fact that any of us can become product developers, any of us can get the encryption application.

As far as your theory that more publishers will be interested in climbing on board if an encryption routine existed... I don't think that the products encryption is going to make any difference what so ever. What we need to do is show them that the VTT market is more than just a niche market and that it is the future of Table Top Gaming.

[drahkar]

I don't see how its really far reaching as giving us the ability to encrypt the PAKs is something that the developers stated above that they are looking into. Once they implement that, the possibility of encrypted PAKs that can't be decrypted outside of the application becomes more of a process issue. (ie. Crate the ability to have private keys in the application that only developers know the code to use. Thus anything encrypted with that key could only be decrypted by the applications) Granted nothing is 100% as I mentioned early, but it does give the content being made a level of protection.

As to Publishers and TT Game developers being interested, I can state for a fact that at least one is concerned about the ability for people to just walk in, take the content and use it elsewhere. (Content being that I'm trying to work with them in incorporating game specific graphics, maps, rules, descriptions and related content into the ruleset and modules for the ruleset.) Its why I expressed interest in the ability in the first place.

I think that FGII has a great potential to grow the VTT market because of the way its designed and the very powerful scripting engine its built in. Its the only one so far that I have found which honestly can be rebuilt to cover more than the default system it was built around.

[ddavison]

I'm still looking into this and I have a discussion started with the former devs. I know the basics of how it works today. The encryption/decryption is proprietary to FG at the moment. We have an encryption process we could run here on a zip file and the FG app will automatically recognize this and decrypt it as needed. Since it is the same encryption routine for all secure PAKs, this wouldn't be shared with any outside persons. This would probably be a function we provide for free for anyone selling FG compatible products through our store.

[drahkar]

Its a very sound idea. I know that being able to secure the content of the PAK is very important with the group I'm working with. They are very interested in the idea, (i'm speaking with them sometime next week about it) but would definitely want to be able to protect the content that they allow used in it.

If you would like, ddavison, I'll keep you informed through PM as I get more information from them on their concerns and ideas.

[unerwünscht]

I'm still looking into this and I have a discussion started with the former devs. I know the basics of how it works today. The encryption/decryption is proprietary to FG at the moment. We have an encryption process we could run here on a zip file and the FG app will automatically recognize this and decrypt it as needed. Since it is the same encryption routine for all secure PAKs, this wouldn't be shared with any outside persons. This would probably be a function we provide for free for anyone selling FG compatible products through our store.


Now that would work to make a secure pak.

I think I was misunderstood in my last post (it happens quite a lot around here). All I was trying to say was that there would be no way to distribute the encryption application to the dev community and keep it secure. However I think this solution could work well for everyone.

[peterb]

Sorry, but encrypted PAKs seem like a very bad idea. End user will want to be able to alter the way a ruleset works, just as almost all RPG users use houserules. Preventing access to the ruleset is therefore contrary to not only one of (IMHO) main advantages of FG - the ability to change how the rulset works - but also to how users expect to be able to use a RPG.

[Foen]

While I agree, peterb, it will be the ruleset author's choice: and that seems like no bad thing. I imagine most ruleset authors would be happy to publish unencrypted product (I will continue to do so with my community rulesets, like WoD and Labyrinth Lord).

Stuart

[Tenian]

I actually think module/extension encryption would be more useful than ruleset encryption. Modules (particularly reference modules) tend to have the bulk of IP restricted materials. The remainder are typically graphical elements which could be placed in an encrypted extension. The core ruleset could include "placeholder" graphics that weren't IP restricted.

This would also allow for easier skin swaps and custom rule changes.

[Griogre]

Personally I think encryption as an option for paks, rulesets, extensions and modules would be a good thing, since it would allow other content to be published that might not be. The most tedious part of any of these is the data entry usually contained in library modules and as pointed out by Tenian and that is also the most likely holds the IP the publisher would like to protect.