Conquer - Classic Multi-Player Strategy Game

This repository contains both the original and GPL-licensed versions of Conquer v5, the classic Unix strategy game originally created by Edward M. Barlow and Adam Bryant.

Repository Structure

conquer-v5/
├── README.md                  # This file
├── LICENSE-NOTICE.md          # Dual licensing explanation
├── original/                  # Original distribution (restrictive license)
│   ├── README                 # Original README file
│   ├── Makefile               # Original build configuration
│   ├── CONVERTING             # Data conversion instructions
│   └── [complete original source tree]
├── gpl-release/               # GPLv3 licensed version
│   ├── README.md              # Modern documentation
│   ├── LICENSE                # GPL v3 license text
│   ├── AUTHORS.md             # Contributors and attribution
|   ├── HISTORY.md             # Project timeline
│   ├── RELICENSING-PERMISSIONS.md  # Legal documentation
│   └── [clean source distribution]
|

What is Conquer?

Conquer is a classic multi-player strategy game set in Middle Earth, originally distributed via USENET in the late 1980s. Players control nations, managing resources, armies, diplomacy, and territorial expansion in a rich fantasy world.

Key Features:

• Multi-player strategy gameplay supporting multiple nations
• Resource management (food, gold, metal, jewels)
• Military units, naval fleets, and siege warfare
• Magic system with spells and artifacts
• Diplomatic relations and alliances
• NPC nations with AI behavior
• Random events and dynamic world systems
• Customizable world generation

Version Information

This repository contains Conquer v5, which includes:

• Enhanced data file conversion system
• Improved stability and bug fixes
• Better administrative tools
• Expanded configuration options
• All features from previous versions

Licensing Information

Important: This repository contains software under two different licenses:

Original Distribution (original/ folder)

• License: Original restrictive license (see original/README)
• Purpose: Historical preservation
• Use: Reference and historical study only

GPL Release (gpl-release/ folder)

• License: GNU General Public License v3.0+
• Purpose: Modern open-source development
• Use: Free to use, modify, and distribute under GPL terms

GPL Relicensing History

The transformation from restrictive to GPL licensing represents one of the most comprehensive retroactive relicensing efforts in gaming history, spanning nearly two decades (2006-2025).

Original Distribution Context

Conquer was originally distributed via USENET newsgroups starting October 26, 1987, under restrictive terms that prohibited redistribution and modification. This was typical for software distributed in the pre-GPL era when "copyleft" licensing didn't exist.

Relicensing Timeline

2006-2011: Initial contact and negotiations

• Juan Manuel Méndez Rey (Vejeta) began tracking down original authors
• Extensive internet searches to locate Ed Barlow and Adam Bryant
• Initial discussions about open-source licensing

2011-2016: Author permissions secured

• Adam Bryant (2011): "Just wanted to confirm that I had no issues with publication of version 4 of Conquer under the GPL."
• Ed Barlow (2016): "Yes i delegated it all to adam aeons ago. Im easy on it all.... copyleft didnt exist when i wrote it and it was all for fun so..."

2025: Final contributor permissions

• Martin Forssen (2025): "And I have no problem with relicensing it to GPL." (PostScript utilities contributor)

Legal Foundation

Complete Documentation: The full, unedited email correspondence containing explicit relicensing permissions from all copyright holders is preserved in gpl-release/RELICENSING-PERMISSIONS.md for legal compliance and transparency.

This approach follows Debian Legal guidelines for proper open-source licensing:

• Preserve complete written permissions from copyright holders
• Maintain transparent legal framework for ongoing development
• Document the entire relicensing process with verifiable evidence

Community Involvement

The relicensing effort involved extensive community discussion:

• Debian Legal mailing lists: Legal framework validation
• GNU Savannah: Project hosting and GPL compliance
• USENET gaming community: Historical context and source verification
• Academic institutions: Historical preservation efforts

Technical Restoration

Beyond legal licensing, the project involved significant technical work:

• Source code extraction: Recovery from original USENET posts
• Build system modernization: Cross-platform compilation support
• Code archaeology: Understanding 1987-era Unix programming techniques
• Community contribution: quixadhal (Dread Quixadhal) provided crucial assistance with source compilation

Quick Start

For Players and Modern Development

Use the GPL version in the gpl-release/ folder:

cd gpl-release/
make Makefiles
make build
make install

For Historical Study

The original version in the original/ folder preserves the exact distribution as received, including build artifacts.

Getting Started

1. Choose your version: GPL for development/play, original for historical reference
2. Read the documentation: Each folder contains appropriate README files
3. Configure and build: Follow the build instructions in your chosen version
4. Set up a game: Use conqrun -m to create a new world

Documentation

• Modern Documentation: See gpl-release/README.md for current instructions
• Original Documentation: See original/README for historical reference
• Project History: See docs/HISTORY.md for complete timeline
• Legal Framework: See gpl-release/RELICENSING-PERMISSIONS.md for licensing details

Community and Support

• Repository: https://github.com/vejeta/conquerv5
• Issue Tracker: GitHub Issues (for GPL version)
• Historical Reference: http://vejeta.com/historia-del-conquer/
• Original USENET: comp.sources.games archives (historical)

Contributing

Contributions are welcome for the GPL version only:

1. Use code from the gpl-release/ folder
2. Follow GPL v3.0+ licensing terms
3. Submit pull requests with clear descriptions
4. Maintain compatibility with the original game mechanics
5. Update documentation as needed

Note: Do not modify files in the original/ folder - they are preserved for historical accuracy.

Historical Significance

Conquer represents one of the early multi-player computer strategy games, distributed through USENET when source code sharing was done manually across newsgroups. This preservation effort ensures the game remains available for:

• Gaming historians studying early computer game development
• Developers learning from classic game design
• Players experiencing retro gaming
• Students understanding Unix game programming techniques
• Legal scholars studying retroactive open-source licensing

The Relicensing Legacy

This project demonstrates that even decades-old proprietary software can be successfully transitioned to open-source licensing through:

1. Persistent effort: Nearly 20 years of patient work
2. Legal diligence: Proper documentation and community consultation
3. Technical preservation: Maintaining both historical and modern versions
4. Community support: Involving legal experts and gaming historians
5. Transparent process: Complete documentation of permissions and procedures

The result provides a legally sound GPL release while maintaining complete historical preservation - a model for other retroactive relicensing efforts.

Acknowledgments

• Original Authors: Ed Barlow and Adam Bryant (1987-1988)
• PostScript Contributor: Martin Forssen (1989)
• GPL Relicensing Coordinator: Juan Manuel Méndez Rey (Vejeta) (2006-present)
• Technical Assistance: quixadhal (Dread Quixadhal)
• Legal Guidance: Debian Legal community
• Historical Preservation: USENET gaming community, GNU Savannah
• Additional Contributors: See gpl-release/AUTHORS.md for complete list

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Choose your path: gpl-release/ for modern development, original/ for history.

For detailed instructions, see the README file in your chosen folder.