[nearmiss]

The IL2 sturmovik - Forgotten Battles source code was hacked.

Third party mod programmers have taken liberties with intellectual property and violated all manner of laws in the process.

The TD made arrangements with Oleg to license the source code. The improvements in IL2 we enjoy from TD are what resulted. Someone had to "take charge" or the mods "hodge-podge" would eventually make IL2 a mess.

We did experience that when mods were first released. There were conflicts and issues constantly between different mods as they were applied to the IL2. Anyone that used mods can describe examples.
It wasnt' a nightmare, but it was close to insanity.

The purpose for licensing with TD was in part to insure stability in IL2 further development.

Mod programmers have the source code, afterall it's hacked. The mod programmers can do as they will with the code in so many words.

If Mod programmers go it alone, which they can do since they have the source. They can develop independently from the TD. If they ignore the core, which is updated by TD it will mean there will be a degradation of the core base for IL2 Sturmovik. This will over time make updates and mods a nuisance. There will be all kinds of issues between mods and the IL2.

The TD has made improvements in the core of the application and usually does some type of improvement with each update release. If mod developers will continue to use TD updates as a basis for applying their mods the consistency of IL2 can be preserved.

I am not apart of the TD, nor am I affiliated with them in any way. Like everyone else that appreciates the IL2-FB I want it to remain a good success.

We need the TD, and it was a smart move to preserve the integrity of IL2-FB by licensing a community minded group of programmers. TD is cooperative and open to suggestions, as we all know.

A team like TD can ad new members and members can drop out, but the integrity of the IL2 core programming can be maintained.

Several attempts to unify mod programmers have been tried, and success was dubious. Yes, there are a few successes, but will they have the staying power?

I'm not knocking anyone or group of mod consolidators by any means. IMO, Every mod developer can hold a place, if we just embrace one development group for maintaing IL2 core integrity as it is updated.