Once I get started I may not be able to stop. To say that I have conflicted emotions about this would be an understatement.
Rumors about a rogue server have been floating around for years. Some, who have indicated that they knew what they were talking about, derided the idea. Frankly, I always believed that where there was smoke there was fire.
So, finally, six years after the fact, we learn that a copy of the server code was offered to a gamer/administrator or whatever the heck he was. And he took it. Set up his own server, and secretly began inviting friends and family members to play on it.
Now, while I can understand why they kept it quiet, namely to keep NCSofts' lawyers off of their backs, I cannot understand their justification of keeping the game all to themselves.
So, the players who signed onto it also agreed to an NDA. This worked pretty well, until one of the players, Destroyer Stroyer, disturbed by the setup, decided to do the right thing, and blew the whistle. God Bless Him.
Now, as to Leandro, haven't I seen that name on this forum, and in this thread? My memory may be playing tricks on me, but if that is the case, that really ticks me off. A non-sequitur maybe. His statement that they were set to release the code in two weeks has a distinct odor about it. For instance, I've watched Destroyer's videos where he was playing the game, and a few things seen in them belies Leandro's claim: First, there is visual confirmation that the code has already been modified and "upgraded"; Secondly, the people in that video were having a blast; Thirdly, if he were serious about releasing the code to the community and the public he could have done so years ago. Way to "hold the torch" fella.
Having said all that, I really can't see how this helps the COH community at large. Maybe Leandro will release the code. Once it's out there in the virtual world NCSoft will not ever get control of it back. If he doesn't we're back to square one.