If I purchase a True-Type font from your typical online store, does the typical license cover me for using it in a commercial game if I do not actually install it to the user's machine? My code adds the font to the Windows font system table with a call to AddFontResource() at the beginning of the game, and then removes it at the end with a call to RemoveFontResource(). The licenses are always worded for use in documents and nothing seems close to covering use in a game. Thanks!

Typically, no.

So then what is the best method for acquiring and then licensing fonts for use within a game?

Thanks,

Well, you can try using freely redistributable fonts. Or you can make your own. Or if there's a particular font you can e-mail the owner and see what price he wants for a redistribution license. Some font licenses are worded in a way that you can create a bitmap font file from them and use that in your game. (And since you may be doing that at runtime anyways, may help with your load times.)

Thanks for the tip!

It does sound like making your own font might be worth looking into. Is it very difficult? What is the best tool for making them?

Thanks again,

I've only used FontForge, since it's free and all the others I could find at the time weren't. Making your own (at least with FontForge) isn't difficult but it is somewhat time consuming especially if you want a general purpose font that looks good in more than one or two situations. But you can cut some corners if you only want a font that displays well at a single size or two as is the case with most computer games.

aenigma's fonts are free for any use. They have been used in DVDs and stuff, you don't even have to worry about it.

Can I use your font for commercial use on a CD cover, clothing, ect...?
• Yes, feel free to use any of my fonts. All of my Fonts are Freeware and you can use them any way you want to (Personal use, Commercial use, or whatever).

http://www.aenigmafonts.com

Outstanding!

Thanks for the great input. I will look into both possibilities!

Thanks again!