[Madfish]

Originally Posted by ATAG_Snapper

Wow, Madfish, sounds like you got bit by life pretty bad.
I've not downloaded the HSFX mod, but I wasn't aware that there was a fee charged.

You are joking right? I didn't get bit by life at all just because I don't confuse the meaning of words with the origin behind them.

Again: The HSFX people aren't gfx specialists from bethesda, ID or whatever - they are people who are actually playing the game and want to make it better for THEMSELVES and the community around them. Free as in no fee yes - but not as in "I'm doing this for others without any gains for myself".

Plus, you're very welcome to fly on the ATAG server at no charge -- ie. FREE. (Sure, someone will point out that we accept donations to help defray server costs, but that is strictly voluntary. The only "payment" we require is that everyone have a good time.)

I know the cost of servers... let's just not get into this
That aside it's not free. The clan / whatever uses the server as well. Also the people who actually run it.
Would it run if no one would play on it? If no one would benefit from the players on it? No, it wouldn't.
If you feel charitable run a server for a marine institute or whatever. But it's not free, it's for pleasure.

We're also indebted to the guys behind the scenes that maintain the server, design, test, and implement the missions, and do the stats for us......all for FREE.

Again: they're not doing it because they aren't benefitting from it. That is NOT free as it doesn't cost anything that wouldn't have to be invested anyways.

At 58 years of age I'm no kid, and like most here have lived life's ups and downs (lots of THOSE). Yes, there are certainly many people out there who are purely "what's in it for me" -- no question. But I share Woodstock's conviction that there are many talented individuals within our own 1C Forum community that would gladly undertake CoD mods and improvements, given the necessary SDK tools, and charge not one penny in return.

Don't misunderstand me. I don't want to attack you and I like "free" stuff as well.... But what's needed right now isn't some funny google sketchup house or tree models. What's needed are core engine fixes at a level of code that cannot even be revealed to the public anyways. And even if they would, which would be suicide, would skilled programmers of totally unrelated projects (not even playing this game) help out? Or just individuals who'd actually profit themselves because they play the game? A code review of a game like CloD would take ages anyways.


And who would manage all that? Keep it under control? Why not just kill the game and open source it to begin with? How can MG protect their code if you want them to open source it? How can they create sequels if fans can add and mod whatever they want using an SDK? Who will keep art direction etc. streamlined and under control? How would mods work if the core engine is broken anyways?
There are so many side effects to this "free" mentality... and many of them are just chaotic and uncontrollable. I can't really see any benefit CURRENTLY.

The SDK will probably come at a later stage. But it bears risks and needs to be managed. Something they probably don't have time for right now. Now is NOT the time for free in terms of mods and hasty patches. "Free" (as in pleasure) comes later, after the core engine mess is solved. You can't build a house without a sturdy foundation.