My statement on the the “X1 Seewolfe Expansion�

[Onkel Neal]

Over the weekend, and through this week, a flood of players notified me personally by e-mail, PM, and phone concerning suspicions about the content and intellectual ownership of the “X1 Seewolfe Expansion�. Prior to this point, I understood this project to be an original work in the model of Pacific Aces, SCX, or Projekt Messerwetzer; that is, a group of modders and artists creating a make-over/enhancement for a popular game. I heartily support such efforts as long as they do not negatively affect future work by the parent company (Ubisoft) to continue further work on the host game, and as long as the work is legitimate.

I do know that Steffen Trombke of X1 contacted the Silent Hunter III dev team several times during SH3 development in order to develop an add-on. It was refused. Later he contacted Ubisoft again, proposing an add-on in the Pacific. The add-on was sent to the dev team for an evaluation and was rejected firmly. For poor quality but mainly for the redundant material they proposed, covered already by free mods or patches.

I cannot say how much original content the “Seewolfe� expansion will have until it is released. According to their website, the main thrust appears to be more ports. Everything else in their feature list is an existing mod or an existing feature of the game.

• new campaign script, new missions,
  new sounds and graphics
  fixes to DD hydrophones
  roughly sixty new cities, including ports and industry naval and airbase locations in Europe, North America, Britain and the Pacific region
  new objects including ships, search lights, bunkers, minefields and air defenses
  enhancements to sub interior and exterior
  stationary ships in harbors and harbor patrols
  historical activity such as Dunkirk, Dieppe and D-Day
  new radio messages
  optional installations like navmap aids, fatigue mod ….

I have nothing against someone selling a great new realm of playable material to go with an existing game. I’ve bought several myself, the most recent the Full Canvas Jacket superpatch for Red Baron 3D. But it should contain significant content and it should be ethically secure. After getting messages from you and seeing the "Boycott X1" signatures, I decided to do some investigating. After considerable checking, after two dozen PMs to well-known modders and a phone conversation with another prominent player, the consensus is, as one modder told me, X1 “stated they had asked and obtained permission from everyone involved, which now was never the case.�

It’s a simple matter for one to put on an innocent face and declare he had no intention of stealing modders’ work, when in reality he had the intention and was well on the way to getting away with whatever he could, thinking either no one would notice or getting credit on a readme was sufficient to take it. Now it appears X1 is contacting each modder with a “heartfelt� apology and requesting “to use the mod in return for a free copy of the add-on�. A case of asking forgiveness instead of seeking permission. Fortunately, the majority of the community has the good sense and fair play to call it what it is. Deceptive, dishonest, and a scam.

From my conversations with the modders, “Reg McNeal� was very actively soliciting permission and on occasion, suggesting that he had “made some changes to the mod so now it was his own work.“ He also said he wanted to use the full version of some mods when the owner said he could use their lite version.

We also witnessed a rather bizarre display by OSSI in the forum. I PMed OSSI to let him know that links to topless women are not allowed on this forum and ask him his connection to Steffen and X1.

Hey mate,

what's your connection with the Seewolf mod? I missed the porn bonanza you posted, one of the moderators or you must have edited it. Please don't do anything like that again, you would lose your posting privledges.

Neal Stevens
Subsim Review

He replied:

Seawolves is coming. You have to know that X1 is only the publisher and has nothing to do with any development of the add-on. The add-on create 3 modders there give mods free for download first and now they change some and fix bugs to take it in the stores. So modders get the credit for their work. The idea was also to offer some better mods from others in the add-on. The test version + readme was on X1 Server. All looks so good X1 makes it official.. in the new version we have the permission. Some modders say no others say yes. Permissions include:

Soundmod by Incognito Soundworks, with further mods by Northern Digital
Contact Mod by Fletcher
Hi-res subs by Sean Gilleran
U-boat Interior by Ship Hunter
DD Fix by Jungman
Radiolog by Irishred, further mods by CombatPlanes
Resupply by SANSAL

This will be the final I think.

The problem is that some download a old test version of seawolves. with old readmes e.t.c. this why modders are mad where there found his name in the readme or not. But it was not my debt. I give nobody that downloadlink from the X1 public server. It is a open server ok but not so many have that link first.

Anyway that server is down now because some data got that Trojan.Abwiz.D and the best is that two players send me that info after they download that test version.

I was not at home or in office this weekend, but my sister’s son was on my PC and write some with my Username "OSSI" in here and talk to that terrapin guy. After I am back he told me and I delete his posts e.t.c. He is 14 and he will be a good businessman. I am not mad at him, he just wanted to help.

I think after release it will be cleared up for some users here and the show is over. I mean should I say sorry that people download a test version? Not a test version you can buy in stores and they think we released a version with stolen mods?

Sorry to the community for mistakes!

Steffen Trombke
www.x1software.com

So... maybe I have it wrong, maybe all these mods on his server were there for reference? Well, that's hard to say but by his own declaration this guy has files for his add-on with trojans and viruses in them. And please don’t laugh at me if I say I don’t believe the “my nephew did it� excuse. Yeah, he'll make a "good businessman"....

The internet publishing and mod world depends on the honor system. When a dispute arises and the honor system breaks down—or is intentionally breeched—the situation degenerates and can cast a pall over future community work and goodwill. My biggest concern is the precedent this could set and the impact on the fantastic mod work that has grown up around Silent Hunter III. Between the absurd forum behavior and lies, filching mods and asking afterwards, and narrow-minded view of what constitutes a add-on, I cannot help but condemn the entire venture. It looks like a scam, it smells like a scam, and the track record and actions of the author lead me to believe it is a scam. I’ll send a letter of protest to Matrix Games and suggest that their reputation is worth more than a embezzled add-on. Sure, they may sell copies in Wal-Mart, where unsuspecting customers will be won over by a fancy box. But what are they buying? Someone else's work.

Neal Stevens
Subsim Review
___________

[Kresge]

As always, well said Neal.

[McBeck]

Good man.

This will hopefully restore peace in the mod galaxy.

As allway I have nothing but respect for original modders.

[Mr.Werner]

Such drama! This is better then a soap opera...can't wait to see what's next!

[Detritus]

Yeah, good job Neal for digging into this. Maybe things'll calm down a little bit. What I found most interesting about all of this is that first SH3 devs and then Ubisoft give a firm thumbs-down for the whole project :P Makes you wonder about the quality of Seawolves, , especially since Matrix has been releasing add-ons for Il-2, another Ubi title. Then again, now they claim they've got the rights to publish it after all :hmm: Confusing. Hope they sink like a ton of whalesh... err, bricks.

[Catfish]

Hello,
a balanced statement based on facts, well done Neal.

It seems as if those three persons are in fact one.
This "X1" company already sold add-ons for other games, however those included mostly campaigns added to existing ones. What else is strange is the connection to the people at "Combatplanes" who at least made the pacific mod themselves, even if sales were stopped.

I would really support and buy a genuine SH3 add-on, but apart from being not their/his own work they/he made themselves/himself a complete fool with the posts here at Subsim.com, and over at the SH3 forum. If he has a problem with people of jewish belief playing a german simulator ... this was probably the most idiotic statement i ever heard.

Greetings,
Catfish

[The Avon Lady]

Ossi said "The problem is that some download a old test version of seawolves. with old readmes e.t.c."

Just for the record, the SW archive contents were dated July 19, 2005.

Neal: Very good statement! Thank you very much!

[Catfish]

Hello Terrapin,
you know what happens to people that misspell HIS name
In the b.noididntsayit
Greetings,
Catfish

Originally Posted by Catfish

Hello Terrapin,
you know what happens to people that misspell HIS name
In the b.noididntsayit
Greetings,
Catfish

LOL...sorry...fixed...it's early morning here and I hadn't much sleep in this 'vacation' week in St. Louis...In a few hours we're flying back home. One is for sure: On the ramaining short trips these summer I'll leave the WLAN receivers at home...

[Nico71]

Originally Posted by Neal Stevens

And please don’t laugh at me if I say I don’t believe the “my nephew did it� excuse. Yeah, he'll make a "good businessman"....

You're right, it's a just another lie! Trombke emailed and PM'ed me that weekend!

[FesterShinetop]

A clear statement containing facts! Thanks for putting this up Neal So I understand Ossi/Trombke still has posting privileges on this forum? Wonder if we ever hear from him (or his "nephew"... ) again

Enter the boycot sig :

[Detritus]

OK, the way I see this situation now- you're comments, please:
XI definitely pulled an ugly trick, make no mistake. I never heard of anything like this. But, we still are left in the sadows concerning Seawolves. So, SH3 devs & Ubi turned down but apparently nevertheless, as copyright owners, greenlighted it's release. Now Ubi is 'considering' to release their add-on, even though everyone thought it was supposed to be under development. Not accepting XI's offer at first place makes reason if Ubi is planning to release their add-on. But why suddenly approve SW after all? XI can release SW with or without the mods but as copyright owners Ubi in fact has the ball. They can pull the plug or OK XI's product. So, maybe instead of bombarding XI (which they wholeheartedly deserve) we should turn our eyes on Ubi and demand answers. What's going on? How did it turn into this? What's happening next? If they know anything about small thing called public relations they should come out with definive answers and rather quickly, too. Not all publicity is good publicity.
Sorry if I've missed some facts explaining the whole situation. I made up my mind long ago not to buy SW and haven't really been keeping track on things lately.

[Shadow9216]

I posted this earlier:

From Matrixgames own forum:
Quote:
Since we have published previous X1 titles, we were indeed discussing this one as well. We are aware of these allegations and have been checking into them. We are verifying that everything contained in the SH3 expansion has written permission from the respective modders for its inclusion. It will have to be 100% in that respect for us to publish it.

Regards,

- Erik

_____________________________

Erik Rutins
Director of Product Development and Business Relations


And here's what one of the posters there had to say:
Quote:
No need to look for proof.
Lol, those guys where even dumb enough to leave the orignal readmes in.

Sansai's Milk cow mod is in there
Serg's multiple DD skins and type 7 DD and additional merchant's
Beery's Flotilla mod.
JuJu's mil mods.
Nico71 mods.
Observer's mod.
Iambecomelife's smoke mod.

< Message edited by Grouchy -- 7/26/2005 4:08:51 PM >

It looks like Matrix is taking an active interest in this. Hopefully they'll come to the same conclusion. Now if we could determine the stores which will most likely carry this add-on, we could move forward.

Unless UBI gets an injunction against X1, it is unlikely they'll be stopped by us- sad, but going by X1's own position they never intended the online community as the sales target. They'll ship the product, collect the advance, and disappear. Filing suit after the fact may prove to be too little, too late as the perpatrators will be hard to trace, let alone serve with summons.

People have questioned the intelligence of X1 for their actions. I think they're quite intelligent, and most likely have thought out many of their actions. They are also reacting to our actions.

After attempts to bluff failed, they tried to legitimize their work. When that failed they've resorted to modification of mods in an attempt to distance their product from the original. When/if this fails, they'll try something else.

In the meantime they'll get closer to their launch date, and then they'll rush it out the door and collect their cash. What recourse will we have then? By the time anyone brings a case to court (and who has the resources to do that?), they'll have vanished, or at the very least they'll have their profits to fight the battle. I think they're gambling against anyone actually suing them.

The boycott is a step in the right direction, but to be effective we need to expand it. We must attack the publishers and distributors and any store which plans to sell this. We should get the media involved, and invite the CEOs/PR managers of the companies to discuss their position. I've done this before, and it's an effective tactic- most businesses prefer not to end up on camera, period. They'll usually work off-camera to resolve any disputes- almost every US news channel has an "On your side" segment or something like that, and in the UK they have "Watchdog".

We don't need to be threatening or abusive; the sheer numbers of complaints about X1's practices, along with questions about a company's position regarding such practices and their intentions in this matter should give most of these fellows a pause for thought.

X1 thinks they can dismiss the online community, without realizing the 20% online is 100% around the world, and able to reach anywhere and everywhere. If we are serious about stopping X1, and preventing another one from springing up in its stead, we need to expand our circle of influence.

Ultimately, however, UBI needs to issue a statement for or against X1. They could stop the release with the stroke of a pen, or call of our dogs the same way. If they heartily endorse X1, they should say so and ask us to back off. If they oppose its release, again, they should let it be known clearly.

Abraham the Lawgiver would know better than I, but there may be a balancing act in play with UBI- they can't completely stop X1 from offering a mod, when they allow everyone else to offer mods unrestricted. Granted, ours are free, but there's still a precedent of people offering derivative works based on a copyrighted product; to blanket state any intellectual property must be offered for free could perhaps be construed as restraint of trade, especially if X1 HAS included original work...in fact, that may be more of the reason they seek to alter the pirated works; if 100% of the content can be shown to be X1's, even if based on other works, it represents a unique intellectual property. That has the side benefit of silencing this community's protests of piracy.

[SteamWake]

I have already contacted several members of the popular media bringing this matter to their attention.

Although I have not recieved any direct responses yet I feel confident that they will be all over this. They love a good drama after all.

But even if it gets published 1.) It wll be too late and 2.) It will be a small audiance. Maybe at least it will bring Silent Hunter III to the eyes of some who do not know it exists and they will run out and buy a copy.

Then again its possile that X1 will buy some advertising space in the magazine(s) and webazines which will snuff out the story like a wet candle. Thats just the nature of the beast. Very few popular media outlets act "fair and unbiased".

Be on notice X1 the matter HAS been brought to the popular media's attention.

Regards