How well liked are modding among UBI/developers?

[stabiz]

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

There's not a whole lot of games released in 2005 that still have the following that SH3 has.

There are some (rFactor), but its thanks to the same thing: modders.

It doesn't matter what UBI thinks, there is no way they could stop modders from modding and to attempt to do so would be akin to commercial suicide. Licenses don't mean much in the real world.

[kptn_kaiserhof]

you said it friend

[Shiplord]

Originally Posted by Uber Gruber

stop modders from modding and to attempt to do so would be akin to commercial suicide.

It can not be the interest of a publisher, that the customers are tied for months or even years only to one game due to mods and not buy any other games from the publisher

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by LtCmdrMaverick

When you talk about modding here we all presume that ubisoft have already accepted that they will allow it with SH5.

Ubisoft has a new system in place for their games 'Uplay'. This is a system where the new games are linked to it and certain rewards are given with in the game. It also makes it possible for them to charge for extra downloadable content.

I have asked the question at ubisoft forums as to whether the SH5 game will be linked to their Uplay system. They have yet to answer.

The problem if it is linked to Uplay is as to whether they would want the Mod Community to Mod the game when they could actually produce extra content themselves and charge for it??.

You raise a good point. Speaking from a purely business standpoint, If I were Ubi and truly committed to the Silent Hunter series as an ongoing concern, I may be tempted to make future games less moddable and start putting out more DLC type things.

Think about the fan base for the Silent Hunter series: its a niche product. You're probably not going to expand the user base drastically going forward. You need to make the most money that you can from the fans you do have. And since many of us are diehards, you'd probably get a lot of people willing to pony up for a hypothetical DLC pack. Sure, you're going to have some people pass, but I bet you'd have a good number of people who buy in.

Pure economics: (number of new SH fans you could expand the user base by) x ($49.99 cost of a new game) VERSUS (number of existing fans willing to buy a DLC pack) x ($7.99 hypothetical DLC price). Which one is larger?

hey

dont be giving them any ideas

[rik007]

For UBI it is only favorable that a strong modding community exists. It doesnot cost there something and it will keep the game alive and attractive for customer's. Everybody now expects already that modders will take care of polishing the game so that makes a buying decision easier.

[Sailor Steve]

That's a good point. How many people are asking for help with SH3 right now because they've just purchased the game? And how many have come here asking how to purchase the game? Quite a few in both cases, and largely because the modders have kept it alive for almost five years now.

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

hey

dont be giving them any ideas

I know, as I was typing that, I was thinking the exact same thing. Some Ubi suit is going to read that and when it comes to pass, I'll only have myself to blame.

[Navarre]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

And how many have come here asking how to purchase the game? Quite a few in both cases, and largely because the modders have kept it alive for almost five years now.

I cannot say how it is elswhere in the world but here in Germany, Ubisoft makes no money with a game that has reached the bargain bin. All the budget versions of SH3 and SH4 are not published here by Ubisoft. If a game has been discounted in price down below 25€, it is going to be published here by smaller publishers, Rondomedia or ak tronic for example.

Ubisoft had in the last half year a decline in sales of 50%.
According to media reports, Ubisoft must come up with new marketing and sales ideas for the next few months to get out of this economic crisis.

Originally Posted by WEBSTER

hey

dont be giving them any ideas

Would not wish to give them any ideas..they have thought up this little gem all by themselves. Take a look at their new site...http://Uplay.com

Uplay is NOT back compatible as other forum members on Ubisoft Titles have asked...BUT they are not going to set up this system and not have it utilised.

I would not be toooooooo concerned apart from the fact that they have not answered the question about Uplay in almost a week. Not a long time you may say, BUT they have been all over the Silent Hunter Forums recently and it would only take 1 minute to deny this was to take place.

Maverick

[THE_MASK]

UPlay , what the hell is that cr@p .

Originally Posted by sober

UPlay , what the hell is that cr@p .

i dont know but its from ubisoft, check it out http://uplay.us.ubi.com/agegate

[longam]

Originally Posted by sober

UPlay , what the hell is that cr@p .

Looks like button masher programs you can play online. <Shrug>

[mookiemookie]

Looks like more anti-piracy measures. I think the game companies are starting to wake up to the fact that draconian measures like SecureROM, (god forbid) Starforce and "phone home" authentications are not stopping anyone. They see the need to give the user a reason to actually purchase the game. If you can get them to log in to your servers and give them freebies for achievement points they earn and you keep track of on the game company side, you can get the user to buy in while you get to authenticate the software. You're putting the pirate at a disadvantage, not by crippling their game, but by having them miss out on extras and freebies.

I'm pretty okay with the idea.