Unpacking a PAK file?

[anonymous_user_7298ca1b]

@;645320

Code doesn’t get packaged, assets do. Generally speaking the only reason you’d want to unpack a pak file is to get at somebody’s assets.

Blueprints were .uasset, last I checked.

@;645322

I’m aware that you CAN unpack unencrypted .paks (and encrypted ones if you have the key) my question was why

I, for one, have never unpacked, decrypted, deconstructed or reverse engineered someone else’s hard work. That’s just wrong. However you justify it to yourself by saying everyone else does it, at its core, you are still taking someones work, without their permission. Even just “peeking at the code” is still “morally or ethically wrong”. say you find a greatly efficient way to code some random function, now you could freely share that knowledge, maybe even do a tutorial, or you might want to keep it to yourself. so you make a game that includes said code and all is well. some time later some guy unpacks your files and peeks at your code (and lets be real here, the only reason to peek at someone else’s code is to gain knowledge you did not earn(commonly referred to as stealing) and use it to adapt “your code”) if he then goes on to make a game with said function you would sue the **** out of him.

First of all, this whole forum we’re on is built with the objective of sharing knowledge. To me, at least, saying any method of gaining knowledge is not moral or ethical is at least a bit hypocritical.

Secondly, it’s not theft unless it’s explicitly forbidden. If the UE team gives you the tools and documentation to encrypt/secure your work and you don’t, then whoever takes a peek or reverse engineers it, is not a thief. There’s no legal department in the world who would argue with that.

Thirdly, gaining knowledge (“earned”, “stolen” or otherwise) is the only (emphasizing on ONLY) way the world advances. Without knowing what’s already been done, you can’t innovate. Does everyone innovate? No, of course not. But who are you or I to decide who has the chances and who hasn’t? The guy asked a question. Either answer or move on silently.

Fourth, both final and off-topic, I’d be curious to find out the logic/premises on which you’re differentiating between “earned” and “stolen” knowledge.