Eternal Darkness

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Eternal Darkness is a commercial add-on for Quake published by Actura Software. This add-on was released on September 17, 1996.

This add-on was highly infamous in 1996 for taking levels from the internet without the permission of the original authors. While many commercial add-ons existed around this time, Eternal Darkness was notable for not including the original documentation with each level. Note that modifications, except where noted, had their text files left intact.

Levels
Main Article: Eternal Darkness Levels

Levels in Eternal Darkness are unorganized, all are stored inside a MAPS directory with no subdirectories. Each level included with the add-on includes a .TXT file that consists of a short blurb. Any documentation that existed with the original levels was removed from this add-on.

The launcher requires Windows 95 to run, meaning it can only be loaded with a 32-bit OS and does not function in DOS. The launcher consists mostly of a Maps list and a Game Mods list. The player can therefore pick a particular Map/Mod combination, or leave a certain option empty by selecting the empty field at the top. Each level and modification has a short description written by Actura Software in place of the original documentation.

Weapons

 * Bouncing Betty - Similar to the Grenade Launcher, but fires a grenade that bursts into Nails.
 * Morning Star - A flail that can be used primarily as a grappling hook.

Custom MDL Files
Main Article: 1996 Custom .MDL Files


 * Biosuit
 * BOSSK
 * C3PO
 * Crusader
 * Enforcer
 * HANSOLO
 * Hell Knight
 * Henry Rollins
 * Hitman
 * Impulse 9
 * Knight
 * Moleman
 * Ogre
 * Predator
 * SPAWN-QUAKE
 * TERMNATR
 * Toad
 * Wizard
 * Zombie

Mods
In addition to the mods below, there is a folder called QCC that includes the original 1.01 source code within a subfolder called ORG. There is also a subfolder called WORK that appears to attempt to combine all the open-source modifications. It appears this was done by copying and pasting on top of one another, instead of modifying the code so they worked together, resulting in most modifications either not being loaded at all or being entirely useless. A lot of the code for TM Bot is included, for example, but the impulses are missing and thus it cannot be spawned. Atom Bomb appears to have been one of the last added, being entirely functional.

A pre-compiled version of WORK is included in the main directory for QCC.

Closed-Source Mods

 * Drone
 * Excessive Violence
 * Flash Bomb in QuakeC
 * Homing Missiles - Lacks any documentation or the source code.
 * JAFO PATCH
 * MultiSkin - Lacks any documentation or the source code.
 * Shove off!

Open-Source Mods

 * Atom Bomb
 * DM Bot
 * MORNING STAR
 * Laser tag
 * Player laser
 * QUAKE WIZARDS
 * Quake Voting Booth
 * Radar
 * SECURITY MOTION-DETECTORS
 * SGQCVER2
 * Skarmod
 * TeamFortress
 * TeamSkins - Was combined with a compilation of Custom .MDL Files called Top20Skins.
 * TELE
 * The tracer
 * TM Bot

Tools
While there is a UTILS folder in Eternal Darkness, it consists of a couple FAQ files and .BAT files to allow the launcher to load properly. This means there is only 1 tool included with Eternal Darkness.


 * QVER BSP Version Converter - Converts a .BSP file from one version to another, also displays the current version of a .BSP. Needed to make shareware levels work with the registered game.

Reception
In early October, the Quake community reacted strongly to the actions taken by Actura Software. Not only did they take levels from the internet and charge $30 for it, but they did such without crediting any of the original authors, going so far as to remove the text files from each level. In addition to various members of the community responding, several level designers or prominent people in the community voiced negative opinions about Eternal Darkness. This in turn led to a website being created called "Screw Actura". Several Icons were created to vocalize the general disapproval.

Note that Actura Software did not have a website or email. It was found to be distributed by a small company made of 18 employees in Minneapolis of Minnesota known as Digital Entertainment. The CEO, Greg Hutchenson, was confirmed to work at the company and be responsible for the distribution of the software.

Michael R. Bethany, creator of the DarkEye Guided Missile, saw a copy being sold in a store and started getting suspicious when the word "free" was mentioned. He clarified, "I have no problem with companies selling CDs with shareware or freeware, but when our freeware has been released like this, the companies have always called us or written us and asked if it was ok.". There is a place for Add-ons, but the problem is that "This company could have done a great service to ID, the level creators, and to people with limited 'net access. Instead, by implying that they created the levels and ripping out the level creators' text files, they have managed to piss off the entire Quake world."

Dennis Noordsij, creator of MultiSkin, stated about the situation that "Obviously this is very, very bad and I think it's too bad I didn't write some good legal stuff in the MultiSkin patch. However I know that most/all levels HAVE the lines "you may not..." in them, AND since ID textures are copyrighted (all levels are compiled .BSP) I hope they get their pants sued off. Give me an e-mail address and I'll mail the sh*t out of him :)". He stated that he didn't have a problem with Add-ons, but disliked the lack of credit, stating "if they would ask me permission to use MultiSkin (including textfile/credits etc) they could because for most people this is the only way to get the extra stuff."

K. Clark, who created Mithrus's DM Lair, was enraged upon learning about the acts of the company. As stated, "At first I suspected a single indiviual... but when I learned that a company had gone and done it, i almost put my fist though the wall. To think that a company, who know full well that this is illgal and wrong, would do such a thing is outrageous.". Upset about the removal of the text files, which Mithrus felt was an underhanded move, he proceeded to say "I dont know if the people at actura software were given alcohol as children or if they have a different excuse for being so stupid, but no matter what it is, what they did was wrong, and they knew it. This was no mistake, and they must pay for their actions."

Ben Lehman, author of Dark As..., was upset by the actions of Actura Software. He stated, "I am quite angry that someone has used the creative efforts of others to make a quick buck. Making Quake levels, before any real editors were out, was quite a task. To then have someone appropriate this work as their own is ethically wrong.". He happened to be lawyer in addition to a Quake level designer. While id Software owned the .BSP files, the textual files were owned by the individual map authors. This means that "If Acutra Software have reproduced, in a substantial way, any part of the .TXT file without permission of the owner, they are in breach of copyright." As for the actions he felt must be taken, "Injunctive remedies would be the most useful in this case as this would prevent Actura from selling the CD.". While he would not push forward on his own, he was willing to research and take action if anyone else desired to do such.

Jim Lowell, creator of THRED and House of Desolution, reacted as well by stating "I hope id goes after them and sues the hell out of them. It would serve them right for the disrespect they are showing to the work and effort that everyone out there has put into making those maps."

Ben Morris, creator of WorldCraft, felt he was less affected since he didn't make levels. He did however feel that it was an entire blow against the community, feeling that "People are gonna buy that crap and link it with idsoftware, even though it's nothing to do with them."

Even American McGee responded to the controversial acts, simply stating "Bastards".