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Originally Posted by XabbaRus
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Originally Posted by Andy
This is incorrect. Usage of mods off the internet does not work in this fashion. We just purchased a major sim. I was the one that introduced it to my command. The command is very restrictive about using open source and free material.
The fact that you must have the original for the mod to run only makes the idea of purchasing the actual product MORE attractive and likely. The fact that there are free add-ons that require the base product increases sales for the base product. If a mod runs without owning the original product in an illegal fashion then the military, at least in the US, won't touch it. Sorry, but your conclusions are in error.
Free mods that enhance an original product that would have to be purchased in order to run said free mods increases sales of the original. Period.
By not allowing free mods they decrease the attraction of their base product and REDUCE government sales rather than increase them.
If the government bought the product and said - we don't want this looking any better or more functionally realistic than it is so that foreign agents can't use it as a training tool then that is certainly possible. But highly highly unlikely that such an agreement was put down in writing. Personally I am looking for another company to build a sub sim that realizes the sales value in modding.
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What Kage just posted here is almost verbatim what Jamie at SCS has told us and you can't get any higher than that.
This argument has been going around ad nauseum since DW got released. I personally don't think this is going to help. Do a search and you will find plenty of threads to that effect (about mods with new playables). Also I have never known anyone who has bought a sim or game just to get the mod. |
I am not doubting what Jamie told everyone, but as someone that deals with civilian contractors, I can say he likely isn't at liberty to divulge all the details of the agreement either. As I stated, what he said makes zero sense. And I say this as someone that has sat one the selection board for multimillion dollar contracts for the Department of the Army. The Navy would not find free mods off the internet for their use unappealing. I have worked with the Navy on occasion albeit not the sub fleet but rather buds from Team 3, and free enhancements for a government purchased product do not detract from the reason to buy a product. What Jamie and his guys want to do is sell the mods to the government. In the end, it actually reduces the number of licenses you decide to buy. Why contractors do not realize this surprises me.
To reiterate, the only reason not to allow mods is to prevent a product from being usuable as a training device for foreign entities. Other reasons may make sense but when you do the math, being able to nickle and dime the government for every mod you produce is not only cost ineffective but it is also ethically questionable when it is an implemented strategy.
I have read all the threads on the past. I certainly am not a noob to this board. But simply dismissing the argument about modifications on a sim sends the wrong message to potential devs and publishers out there besides Sonalysts that visit this board for ideas. Someday someone will pull their head out of their 4th point of contact and produce a nuke sim that is a little more public friendly.
Sonalysts on the other hand need to decide which section of the buyers they intend to service and if they intend both then find a better method to do so. There is a way to serve both communities (military and civilian) and Bohemia Interactive have written the book on that procedure. Sonalysts could learn a thing or two (or three) from them. Having been responsible for getting the BIA product here to our Center, I understand the workings and machinations of the Civilian/Military industrial software complex and know a good methodology when I see one. BIA not only manages to do dual duty, but they do it quite well.