AboutTrigger Maru, and it's future

[Ducimus]

This is going to be a Kevin Costner styled bladder burster of a post, so i hope you've paid your coffee rent.

Not sure where to start, so it may as well be at the beginning. The release of Silent Hunter 4, marked the end years worth of waiting for pacific theater sub sim featuring US fleet boats. For many of us, this piece of history was our introduction into Submarine simulations, probably as far back as the 8 bit "Silent Service" for the orginal Nintentdo, or maybe even further back then that.

Needless to say, the release of this long awaited game, was less then stellar. For some, it a source of frustration and disappointment; for others, it became a personal challenge to correct what they saw wrong, but for all, the release state of the game was unacceptable. Some complained loudly, others grinned and bared it, but regardless of our reactions, we kept going for love of the theater and piece of history we wanted to partake of.

Now when i first got SH4, i had resolved to myself, that i would NOT get into modding. Looking back at how the SH3 mods evolved, i figured that it would be only a matter of time before groups of like minded individuals started forming and creating mod works. I saw no need for me to get involved, and just wanted to enjoy the game. To be blunt, i thought, "this time, i'll let others deal with the mods, im just gonna be a mod user, and keep my crap to myself". Funny how things eventually worked out to be totally the opposite.

I guess i got tired of waiting, or, maybe it just pained me to see the theater i wanted to be in, in such an abysmal state. So started "flavored to taste". Its primary goal was to just fix the broken stuff, so people would stop complaining - point blank. Thats all i wanted, to stop the complaints because i figured the viral marketing the game was getting would kill it, and any chance of a really good PTO game later on.

Later on, FTT, started to evolve from quick fixes, to enhancements. It was about that moment in time i had accepted to myself that i had opened the box that i told myself i would not open - modding. Having accepted that, i had a lot of ideas about what i wanted to do, and had every intention of doing most of various modfications myself. But the reality was, i did not, and do not have the time commitment to do every modfication, as an original work from scratch. I had mentally planned out my own campaign scripting,.. everything. In the end, i succumbed to the reality that was patently evident - i needed a team, because i can't do it all.

With this realization, i took to incorporating various mods that i liked into the modpack which i had renamed from FTT, into Trigger Maru. While doing this, i felt it was wrong to take from the community, and not give something back to it. So along the way i've tried to encourage an open source enviorment, to help anyone that i could, anyway that i can, and freely gave out any modfication i did or information that i knew, to anyone, for any purpose they desire.

To this day, i stand on that you do not need my permission to use any work that i've done. One must give, in order to receive, and this is how i've conducted myself ethically. An open community, is a creative one, and for the game to prosper, it needs a creative community working collaberatively, not compeditivley. This is what i've tried to foster. In an odd sense, i did form a team - the Silent hunter mod community. Trigger Maru, is infact, not property of Ducimus, but this community. I lay no claims of ownership to it. Not only do i want someone to take it from me as a base for an enhanced pacific game mod of their own, id encourage it if it would save them time.

Now, i often wonder how i got this reputation as a "mod god". I am truly not any sort of "Mod God". I know how to do some things, have a vague idea of others, and other things i haven't a clue about, and probably talk out of my ass. I do my best with what i know, and research what i don't. But, every modder has their limits, either in creativity, or technical knowledge, and i feel that i will reach my limits soon, if i haven't already done so. Trigger Maru is becoming big. Soon, i feel it will become too big for any one person to handle, if it hasn't already reached this point. This has been a lot of work, and publishing this modpack, has had me work in many areas where normally id would be ideal to have a team of people. Ive dabbled in graphics, campaign scripting, AI, troubleshooting, testing, publishing, and even tech support. One man, can only do so much, and its starting to effect my real life. Today alone i went to bed at 2AM, and got up at 7:30AM, almost out of habit, because of the work involved on TMaru. Why havent i formed a team? Because i firmly believe in an open source development enviorment, and it has always been my fear that a formation of a team, would lead to a factionalizing of the community. So with that, i kept soldiering on with the modpack. But, i see the path i have chosen for myself, coming to an end soon.

There is always something else to do. This is a certainty. Sh3, is evidence of this, the game has been out for years, and still there is new mods being developed, new features created, perhaps even old bugs squashed. This is fact, and evidence TMaru, will never be "done". It is a continual Work in progress, a road with a beginning, and no end. So, at some point, i have to tell myself, "thats far enough". This point, will be soon.

For now, with version 1.7.2, (ironicaly released on dec 7th), is the version that i'm going to let stand for awhile. Unless theres a REALLY NASTY bug somewhere, any fix will be on the back burner. I am simply going to step back, and let the mod show its faults, so that i may fix them all in one fell swoop some time hence. New features? Im not sure. Some of you probably noticed a US base in the UK. I was begining to layout the framework of a flotilla that would allow for some alllied submarine action in the atlantc, loosly based on Submarine squadron 50, and Allied British submarines which also saw action there. But this is a HUGE UNDERTAKING. From ships models, to plane models, to harbor traffic, to mission scripting to traffic scripting, its a ton of work. I may not follow through on it - infact, im pretty sure i wont. I will layout the framework so that someone else can flesh it in, but i don't see myself having the time to truly do this alternate campaign right. As the saying goes, Do it right, or don't do it at all. So i will probably opt for the later.

At any rate, i plan on stepping back from modding. I want to post patrol logs, not mods. I will probably give SH4 a break entirely because after working with it so much the last few weeks, im honestly growing sick of looking at the game. Will i retire from modding entirely? I want to say i will, but i think i need to stop lying to myself and others and say.. no, probably not. But i have every intention of trying to get out of it entirely.

Trigger Maru, is this communities mod. Made by this community, for this community, for love of the pacific theater, and all that it entails. It is, as far as i'm concerned, property of this community. When i stop work on it - which will probably be very soon, it is my hope that someone takes up the baton, and carries it a little closer to that imaginary finish line - Ive run with it as far as i can.

[DeepIron]

Costner couldn't have done it better D!

Play on!

[Taurolas]

Ducimus....

All i can say is that i've enjoyed the "Mods" that you've put forward they have increased my desire to play the game and they have made it the game i believe it should have been from the start.

i dont know about you being a modding god but you would sure get my vote if someone did a poll

Respect!

[Dutch]

Let me start off by saying thank you for you time and devotion to such a tasks as modding SHIV. I can't speak from experience but I can imagine that it took up alot of your time and attention. It was inevitable that you got burned out with it after all the hard work you did, especially when you had not approached it with the mind set to actually do the mods.

I have greatly enjoyed your mods and it has made the whole SHIV PTO experience all the better. While it will be a shame to see you step into the shadows for an time, I can't say that I blame you at all. After so long things stop bieng fun and they start bieng work, which gets more and more difficult as time goes by.

Thank you again, for your efforts, I will hope for your return, you have a great talent which this community sometimes lets go unappreciated. I hope you find something you enjoy, and hope someday you'll return to modding.

Godspeed, and Thanks one more time.

[hyperion2206]

Although I didn't have a chance to play SH4 with TM1.7.2 (only TM 1.7.1) I'm sure it is as good as it can be. You should really step down for a while and play SH4.
I'm sure that there are enough modders who will continue your legacy.
Relax and enjoy the game.... and thank you for everything you've done. Without your work I would have stopped playing SH4 a long time ago.

[rrmelend]

Ducimus, you . I want to thank you personally for all of the work you have done. When I first began playing SH4 I read the post about your mod and totally loved it. It was the first mod I installed and is the only one I really care about.

[manucapo]

thanks ducimus
thats all i can say
SH4 is the game it is thanks to people like you
(and the whole modding community)
youve alredy done enough
now go rest

[Wilcke]

Yes, we do enjoy and respect your work! Enjoy your time away and we will thrash the latest iteration of TM to exhaustion.

Its time to go on patrol folks, so saddle up!

[TDK1044]

Not bad for a cranky old fart!

Just enjoy the game for a while. Your hard work is very much appreciated by all here. Many thanks.

[Factor]

you sound like your a step short of checking into Tweakers Anonymous.

just kiddin', thanks for all you have done for us here. really appreciate it.

i dont think there is any better way to start a new carrer w/ trigger 1.7.2 tonite, dec. 7.

excuse me now as i go back in time 66 years.

Factor

[Roger Dodger]

Ducimus,

Thanks for all your hard work making a good sim GREAT by putting so many good mods together into one mega-mod. You have actually become something of a 'team leader' of the team you were suggesting to start with.

Thanks to Tater, Tambor, LeoVampire, NVDrifter and so many others that provided the raw materials for Trigger Maru. Nothing could have happened without you.

Good Hunting,

[Tigrone]

A fair wind and a following sea, whatever course you may take.

[kylesplanet]

I thank you Ducimus for your hard work and passion for SH4. You are an intregal part of SH4. I know you don't want or intend to be a mod god but to some of us you are anyway.:p I just really like the desire, passion and respect you show for the PTO and I wish I could give a fraction of what you have to this community. I do good to install a mod, let alone create one. I can and do give money to the subsim but I feel rather insignificant in contributions to the modding or knowledge community as I am new to sub sims. Your work is truely appreciated and respected and you've never stared down your nose at anyone for asking dumb questions.
Thanks bro.

[Peto]

Well. First of all I'll say good choice. I do understand what it can be like and for that reason alone, I don't feel capable to pick up the baton you've carried. It's far too heavy.

I've been watching your work your butt off for months and I've been (and continue to be) impressed with your zeal--not for the game so much as for your dedication to the community. It is your work ethic that stands tall and has gone above and beyond.

As a tribute, I think the least we should do is add the USS Ducimus to the sub fleet available--now and for all campaign versions to follow. And let all who command her Salute the Colors with the honor it deserves.

So then: Don't die of exhaustion but Rest Your Oar.

Peto

[Ducimus]

Thanks for the kind words all, its appreciated. I think who appreciates my choice of actions the most, would be my spouse. Ive been very irritable around the house, and when i get something on my mind, i get very focused, and irritable when distracted.

Just to reiterate my intentions.

- Taking a break from SH4 for a week or four.

- Will check up on bugs on TM 1.7.2 ( i should probably start a thread for this purpose so i can easily find reports)

- post a patch sometime after break from game.

At that point, i think i will call it quits on modding. Although, i think ill still participate on the mod forum. and try to help others out when i can. I do enjoy brainstorming sessions. But overall, i think ill just take a back seat, stop being an attention whore, and watch the other modders here do their thing with all the pizazz they're capable of.


EDIT:
I've come to realize im getting strung out. Vacation starts now. Some of you may notice planes can detect you fairly deep. My answer is "Yes i know, and its not intended." I had it tuned perfectly pre patch 1.4, and somethings changed so i have to rebalance it. Bug reports, post them in the main mod thread in a constructive mannner so that my sanity is preserved. If you cant be constructive, i wont take you seriously. If nothing serious comes up, then i guess im done.