PartnerNET, why Sonic 4 isn't finished, and why these leaks are illegal

[Agent York]

UPDATE 03/29/09- I am almost 100% sure this music leak is from PartnerNET since that is the only liable source to rip the music from at this point, even if illegally so (besides the Taxman laid a tip this was indeed the case on Sonic Retro), but this all applies, and also applies this wasn't SEGA "Deserving this or leaking this", no, this is more illegal acts and breaking contracts by fans not following the rules. These leaks truly aren't SEGA's fault, but that of Microsoft's system and fans with access if this indeed is the source.

I've seen ignorance all across the board lately. I didn't think this would need to be said since a little research would do you good, but so many people are jumping to conclusions to stuff this deserves it's own topic methinks.

So see these Sonic 4 screens recently, hear the game is up on Xbox Live? Well guess what buckos, it's all true. Welcome to the wonderful world of PartnerNET! Known by many developers as a non-private hell hole. You see, PartnerNET is a system on the Xbox 360 which can be reached from Developer Consoles of the 360, given mainly to Game Developers and Journalist. This accesses a private section of Xbox Live that is cut away from the publicly sold Xbox 360. The difference is you make an account, whatever you like, and you have access to it. Simple, right? PartnerNET is a completely open system which all Xbox developers who want online content, from everything from trailers, to demos, to downloadable content, to themes, all of it, need to use. It is required. If you want anything up for download, it needs to go through PartnerNET first. PartnerNET is basically a beta testing ground. They can put up games in development, games near completion, anything on it. It has a certain convenience because lets say you needed people to beta test a game? Well what easier way than to make it open to PartnerNET so that people can test it from their own home! In fact, lots of developers do this. It's fast and easy. It allows them to distribute it for testing and beta purposes. However, there is one major flaw Microsoft made with this system: On PartnerNET, there are no secrets.

EVERYTHING put up on PartnerNET (which ironically with the rules is required to be everything that is going to be put up for download on Xbox Live) is viewable and downloadable by ANYONE else on PartnerNET. To make matters worse, Microsoft requires them to use the exact games title when putting content up, since that reserves a space and title, so only the title of the actual game can be used instead of a codename. However, it's all good, because PartnerNET has strict rules that no one, and I mean NO ONE is allowed to speak about what's on PartnerNET. It's a deal where anything and everything has to go up there, anyone can get what's up there, just no one is allowed to tell the public what actually is up there. There's laws against it.

Of course, some people have PartnerNET through ways other than being developers or journalist. Some people don't know what PartnerNET is even for. Whoever is making these Sonic 4 leaks is not only in major legal danger, but they have no idea the terms of PartnerNET. Endri, the guy who decided to use PartnerNET as like some toy anyone can screw around with, has no idea what he's talking about. Sonic 4 doesn't need to be near completed to be on PartnerNET. Developers can choose to put up WHATEVER they want on PartnerNET as long as it aligns with their game. They were likely beta testing, putting the game up for people to beta test and get feedback from their testers to improve the game. SEGA is even split into different parts of the world, they could of put it up so people from SEGA of Europe and Japan could see how the game is coming along. They shouldn't need to fear putting it up because PartnerNET is a private Microsoft system used by developers and journalist to test things, and beta testing over the network or games in development get put up all the time. So do complete games and downloadable content. It's all for beta testing, at whatever stage the developer uploads it on. No one is allowed to talk about it. At least, that's how it should be.

Whoever posted these screens, Endri talking about the game... These are all illegal acts. More so, Endri jumping to conclusions the game is almost complete are complete hogwash. It could be near complete, but that's just as likely as it is that it's not even close to being complete. It's a BETA testing engine. It's for people to TEST things, whatever they need to test. SEGA more than likely put it up to let some testers or other people at SEGA test the game in it's development. It's not like SEGA put it up for anyone to look at, this is supposed to be a mature working environment and if they want to test something on Xbox Live, they NEED to do it on PartnerNET, it is required.

All these leaks are illegal. Sonic 4 being up on PartnerNET does NOT make it complete. In fact, it is more than likely put up for what exactly what the network was made for; BETA TESTING. Screen taker and Endri are violating the terms of agreement and laws for talking about it being up there, but more so LEAVING IMPRESSIONS and FUCKING SCREENSHOTS. They could very well loose their access to PartnerNET at the least, sued lots of money at the most. What they did was illegal, they directly violated terms of agreement, and are treating a workplace for beta testing in games like a place children can fetch free candy from and play whatever little games they desire.

NO this does not mean this is the final version of Sonic 4. NO what they did was not right. NO PartnerNET is not open to the public. Everyone just stop being ignorant and doing all I've seen so many do for weeks on end; Jump to conclusions. If the fanbase would read up some on what PartnerNET actually is or had a brain to think something about all of this isn't right, then all of this ignorance and people thinking the final game is moonjumping glitchy Sonic for some reason months in advance from a version of the game played on a BETA TESTING network, then we would be a lot better off.

Edited March 29, 2010 by Dusk the Biohazard Keeper

[Aquaslash]

Uh...duh?

No really, I don't see much of a point to this thread. then again, I guess I'm ignorant of the ignorance of which you speak!

Yes, leaking is illegal. So is downloading ROMS and pirating music and software. Technically recording things from the TV is illegal too since you're violating copyrights!

Did you know that making porn of grown women with small breasts is illegal in Australia? (or on it's way there)

Hell, I bet editing official sprites is probably illegal! You'll be hard pressed to find things on the internet that don't break some faggot country's laws.

[Marcello]

Uh...duh?

No really, I don't see much of a point to this thread. then again, I guess I'm ignorant of the ignorance of which you speak!

Yes, leaking is illegal. So is downloading ROMS and pirating music and software. Technically recording things from the TV is illegal too since you're violating copyrights!

Did you know that making porn of grown women with small breasts is illegal in Australia? (or on it's way there)

Hell, I bet editing official sprites is probably illegal! You'll be hard pressed to find things on the internet that don't break some faggot country's laws.

I had no idea what PartnerNET was, before I read this. Sure I knew what was being done was illegal, but this topic is useful for people who didn't know what PN(Haha Project Needlemouse >_>) was

[Agent York]

Uh...duh?

No really, I don't see much of a point to this thread. then again, I guess I'm ignorant of the ignorance of which you speak!

Yes, leaking is illegal. So is downloading ROMS and pirating music and software. Technically recording things from the TV is illegal too since you're violating copyrights!

Did you know that making porn of grown women with small breasts is illegal in Australia? (or on it's way there)

Hell, I bet editing official sprites is probably illegal! You'll be hard pressed to find things on the internet that don't break some faggot country's laws.

Not good examples. By that logic, all crimes are of even magnitude. Sonic 4 is not up on the internet. We can do with whatever was put on the internet, but the people who originally leaked it are possibly in big doodoo. Sonic 4 is not just lying around for anyone to get, in fact let me tell you what the situation is like.

Lets say I was an owner of a company, and I had a bank account used for my employees. Some more upper staff who manage the money are required to sign sheets and forms that are documented on how they handle and use that money. It is to pay for company funds and my employees. But now lets say there was this guy who got access to my bank account after he signed and agreed to all these terms, then just for the hell of it took some money out of the bank account for himself. No that is not right, it's my money on a private account, he directly is violating the terms he agreed to, and as such I can hold him in court for abusing my bank account and taking my money.

There is no other way SEGA could of gone around this. One of the biggest things though is everyone saying this is the final game, when it being on PartnerNET doesn't suggest this. The developers could of just put up something to beta test, just as well as they could of put up the final game. What gets put up is up to the developers, true, but just because it's up there doesn't mean it's finalized. It's not finalized until after SEGA puts it up to the public. And thanks to multiple signs, and the time left, I am betting this was just a beta test, on a beta testing network.

To read more on why PartnerNET is hell, read here: http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2007/02/why_partnernet_is_a_pr_nightma.php

Edited February 25, 2010 by Dusk the Biohazard Keeper

[Stasis]

Nice topic. I had a brief understanding of what PartnerNET was, but this pretty much covers everything. Endri, from what I've read, was the one who provided the screenshots, aswell as his opinion, so I'm guessing he'll be knee deep in shit soon.

[Plan 9]

Yes, leaking is illegal. So is downloading ROMS

Downloading ROMS isn't exactly illegal if you already own the game.

[The-Master-Board]

Did you know that making porn of grown women with small breasts is illegal in Australia? (or on it's way there)

It is? Uh I mean, of course it is! We treat such blasphemous acts with a swift death by kangaroo stomping!

Really I'm just hoping what we've seen has been test stuff. Alot of it looks good, but they really need to fix the jump, those stupid dust clouds that follow Sonic's running, and hopefully have the game feel classic but still have a bit of originality to it. Oh and fix up the odd 2D - 3D backgrounds.

[Asuka]

Props to you, sir.

[goku262002]

But why does it have a price on PNET? I thought that PNET allowed you to download it for free?

[DMNBT]

IIRC, you need to put a price on PartnerNET stuff, it's just that downloading it will not charge you any points, or at least that's how it worked when I was in the game design class.

[Eternlo]

Im glade someone was kind enough to tell us this, cause im to lazy to look for my self.

Its good to see people useing logic in the sonic fan-base.

[turbojet]

NO this does not mean this is the final version of Sonic 4. NO what they did was not right. NO PartnerNET is not open to the public. Everyone just stop being ignorant and doing all I've seen so many do for weeks on end; Jump to conclusions. If the fanbase would read up some on what PartnerNET actually is or had a brain to think something about all of this isn't right, then all of this ignorance and people thinking the final game is moonjumping glitchy Sonic for some reason months in advance from a version of the game played on a BETA TESTING network, then we would be a lot better off.

Celebration is in store.

But in all seriousness though, I never thought this game was anywhere near finished. I think people need to stop blaming Sega for leaks when most of the time it's not their fault. The only time that I recall being their fault was the release of Sonic Unleashed. Other than that, it's just people literally doing illegal acts.

[DaBatGuy]

I've know that any online distribution service has a beta area to test their products so I knew that game couldn't be finished yet, I just didn't know what Microsoft's was called. Hopefully this info gets around so people stop these BS claims that Sega is gonna ignore a unfinished alpha/beta for 6 months before selling it to us.

[Phos]

It has a price, a description, and all the trimmings. It's long past the "Completely change how Physics work" phase.

[Carbo]

It has a price, a description, and all the trimmings. It's long past the "Completely change how Physics work" phase.

So where's the dashboard card for all the achievements if its all done?

It's supposed to have a description and product detail for a reason which was just posted as a gigantic essay on the first post.

[nuckles87]

Yeah, I was gonna say...it's already been said by people who have experience with this, that the game NEEDS to have these things to be up on PartnerNet.

It might not even be $5. It could only be a filler price.

[Detective Shadzter]

I cant keep up with all of these Sonic 4 issues, mess after mess, its giving me a headache now. I wouldnt expect it to be finished yet when there is so much time until launch.

[Phos]

Perhaps I'm familiar with some older practices (I know that stuff on PartnerNET didn't always have to use the final title, I know Ikaruga was on partnerNET without its name), the game may change a bit, but not to the capacity people here seem to be hoping it will. This is also still Sega we're talking about here.

[Agent York]

I cant keep up with all of these Sonic 4 issues, mss after mes, its giving me a headache now. I wouldnt expect it to be finished yet when there is so much time until launch.

Website being leaked is SEGA's fault, that is completely fair game and SEGA's fault for putting things on it's website way to early in obvious locations. You can't blame fans for looking.

PartnerNET leaks are not SEGA's fault. The guy's leaking it are directly violating the law (and not music download or ROM download laws, something much more serious) and treating a system required for Xbox Live Developers to use and a place of official business and testing for games, the only place they can test 360 games that are going to be a form of DLC mind you. These people leaking are treating it like a candy store, even with Endri going off saying "Anyone can do it." Which no, not everyone can and more so him even mentioning the game is up there in itself is against the rules, since then people like us jump to conclusions even though lots of games that go up there haven't been announced yet and are up there for testing purposes early in development, and then having no understanding of the system he's using and giving full impressions and treating them like this is the final product, though logically speaking why would SEGA consider a game with glitches, broken physics, 6 months in advance on a network made for beta testing games and content downloads as their final version? Not to mention developers put up beta versions of their games up all the time to test them, besides the anti-privacy issue testing over PartnerNET is easy, and none the less, required. So over time SEGA can update the game file for download when they make more progress on it. It being on PartnerNET means they have reserved that space and right now are using it for beta testing the game and can update it any time they want.

PartnerNET is for testing no matter what stage a game is in development at. Developers can put up unannounced games for testers or people around their company to test out. It could be testing a game further in development and in it's alpha ad beta phase and put up for testing with glitches. It could be up to give journalist a copy to review or preview, if they get in contact with the journalist and Microsoft and sign some agreements and talk saying it's alright for Journalist to talk about a certain thing or all they have up on this particular game. Or it could be completed games up to make sure downloading is working fine, or DLC works, or to test Xbox Themes, etc.

Edited February 25, 2010 by Dusk the Biohazard Keeper

[Sean]

Downloading ROMS isn't exactly illegal if you already own the game.

Technically it is, as ROMs are what game manuals describe and forbid as backups.

[Detective Shadzter]

Website being leaked is SEGA's fault, that is completely fair game and SEGA's fault for putting things on it's website way to early in obvious locations. You can't blame fans for looking.

I didnt say it was anyones fault, I just said I cant keep up with all this stuff that happens

[eXtaticus]

Whatever happened to demo discs, specially made development systems and password protection? Doesn't anyone care about privacy any more, or is this just an elaborate advertising campaign?

[Rusty Spy]

Perhaps I'm familiar with some older practices (I know that stuff on PartnerNET didn't always have to use the final title, I know Ikaruga was on partnerNET without its name), the game may change a bit, but not to the capacity people here seem to be hoping it will. This is also still Sega we're talking about here.

Being a beta testing network, and the game still being nearly half a year away from launch, I wouldn't put my money on that leak footage being representative of how the final game mechanics play like.

[Tornado]

Was anyone actually saying that the leaks weren't illegal? I'm confused.

[Carbo]

Was anyone actually saying that the leaks weren't illegal? I'm confused.

I think the point of the topic was to get it through people's minds that Sega was in no way responsible for the leakage going on as people kept bitching about those leaks being majorly their fault.