I'm new here so I have no clue what went on with Silent Hunter III and the mod community, although having browsed the forums quite a bit over the last few months, I've already seen some 'sniping' goin on, granted it's been very subtle. But even I've noticed it.
I hope to get involved with the modding, research, graphics, etc. in the next game, and wish for things to proceed smoothly. I want to help make the game all it can be.
As a new guy I know for sure, if modders were to break off into 'territories' etc., and start the "mine's better" stuff, I wouldn't stick around.
I'm too old for that silliness. It's just a computer game.