Recommended change in the modding etiquette policy

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by HW3

I just wanted to make you aware, if you didn't know. Seawolves and the company X1 were a real hot topic on here for quite a while. Yes they took mods, claimed them as their own work, and did not give credit to the original mod maker. They then sold the "stolen" mods in a for profit expansion pack called Seawolves. That is why permission and credit are such a touchy topic around here, and some are reluctant to release work without getting permission. I agree with Aces approach on this, PM them, post a notice on the boards. If you still do not get a response, release the mod anyway with credit given to the modder in the readme, and offering to remove the mod if the original modder does see it and object. That should cover all the bases.

Originally Posted by Wreford-Brown

Has anyone actually read the recommended modding etiquette?



In short, ask for permission by any means possible but if you're unable to make contact with the original modder you can release the mod anyway, providing you give full credit to them. The only time you must not release a mod is if that modder has specifically stated that you can't (or, after release, asks you to remove their part of your mod if you haven't asked for permission).

As far as I'm concerned, asking for permission to use someone else's hard work is simply good manners. When I've asked permission to use other modders work they have always given me permission, whether that's an aircraft or ship that has taken months to produce or a request to adjust the GWX basic.cfg files.

I support the recommended modding etiquette as it allows plenty of leeway to use other modders work whilst also retaining the ability for a particular modder to keep work to themselves which they've put time and effort into.

Whether some people consider the expected etiquette to be rubbish that is a matter of personal opinion.

What is important to me as a moderator on here (and nothing else) is that the site owner is happy for such etiquette to remain in place....his house, his rules.

I believe HW3 and Wreford-Brown have adequately explained the rationale behind said etiquette and certainly don't consider it unreasonable.

The drama that existed years ago are long behind us all and long may it continue.

Now in conforming with all of the above, if links are posted to mods that are for 'with profit' and of a questionable origin I'm confident Neal, Hitman and myself would have no hesitation in pulling them down.

[flakmonkey]

Originally Posted by machiavelli

Irregardless, It seemed as if he was shunned from some of the big modders here, although he was quite vocal.

Anyhow, I'm more concerned about altering this etiquette policy.

I actually agree, the modding etiquette does limit and in some ways hamper the way people work with the game.
I dont believe any modder should be able to deny anybody the use of his/her work once it has been released. After all modding is meant for the community.
Of course i still believe proper credit should be given where appropriate even if just as a courtesy.

[Hitman]

We've been through this before: the existing recommended modding etiquette is just that, the recommended guideline we officially approve here and we like. We (moderators) are not going to enforce it as policemen, as that is not our business, but for sure we and the community will dislike attitudes that blatantly are against its spirit -the spirit of overall respect for someone else's work.

We openly admit that the etiquette is not perfect and that it will never please everybody, as well as that it might be sometimes a bit exaggerated; but after the discussion and open thread that leaded to it, that's about the best compromise possible, and there is no intention to make periodic amendments or revisions to it, unless our host Neal decides it.

Thxs all for the input, must close this thread now.