6 replies to this topic

[seraphimsurf]

I wrote to PGI support to get their final word but i wanted to see what others thought about the following tweaks I would like to make that would only effect a local system and if you think this would be a mod that would give unfair advantage.

Battle map: I wanted to make custom waypoint marks on the battle map that runs locally on my system. This would be the minimap that pulls up or sits on bottom of screen. This would not be viewable by anyone but me and not effect the network or other users. This action would be like having dual monitors and having a screen captured map up with the waypoints marked.
Language packs: my intention with this is to add more language options and clean up the french .pak a bit. These are xml files that would not effect anyone but the viewing user. Was thinking german, spanish, japanese, russian, Ect...
The language changes i would share with some friends in other countries that have trouble with english and give PGI full ownership of (if they decided they wanted it).
Audio for b1tch1n betty: My intention here is to repack .fdp .fsv .fsb and create a french and spanish variant. This (if permissible) would only occur as time permits and again only effect the local system that it is deployed on.

So let me know what you think.
Thanks

[Pr8Dator]

If Devs allow local modding, hacks will go out of control...

[Barghest Whelp]

The map thingy sounds awesome, but that's also why it shouldn't be allowed. There would be an advantage to it. That being said, I think the current tacmap could do with some tweaking.

The other things should be ok imo, but you'd have to get the ok from PGI before doing it. Also, if you get the ok, you would need to share them with the whole community to make it fair.

[Egomane]

Please wait for your answer from the developers team.

I can only point to the ToU which states:

Quote

• Our Content—Except where expressly stated otherwise, all right, title and interest in and to the IGP Offerings and all Content, source code, processes, designs, technologies, URLs, domain names, marks and logos forming any part of the IGP Offerings (collectively, “Our Content”) is fully vested in us, our licensors or our suppliers and are protected by applicable copyrights, trade-marks, patents, trade secrets or other proprietary rights and laws. You agree that Our Content is licensed subject to the terms of this Agreement, including the disclaimers and limitations of liability herein. Nothing in your use of the IGP Offerings or this Agreement grants you any right, title or interest in or to Our Content except the limited right to use the IGP Offerings as set out in this Agreement. Unless otherwise expressly authorized by us in writing, you agree not to
  
  • copy, modify, rent, lease, loan, sell, assign, sublicense, grant a security interest in or otherwise transfer any right or interest in Our Content
    
  • distribute, create a derivative work of, reverse engineer, reverse assemble or otherwise attempt to discover the source code, of Our Content, to the maximum extent that such prohibition is permitted by applicable law
    
  • remove any proprietary notices or labels on or in Our Content, or
    
  • allow any other person or entity to engage in any of the foregoing.

Edited by Egomane, 02 January 2013 - 04:13 AM.

[Fooooo]

Pr8Dator, on 02 January 2013 - 04:02 AM, said:

If Devs allow local modding, hacks will go out of control...

The game is pretty much server side, so changing anything related to game mechanics is already out of the question....as it wont work. Like trying to give your atlas 10000 armor points, the server will tell you, nope sorry that is wrong. etc etc.

Modding the sound files or language packs like the OP is suggesting should be allowable............however....... PGI has not specifically stated anything about this.

They have said they don't mind people looking around the files or trying to do things (as long as you report anything that shouldn't be happening etc etc) because of the server side checks which should stop any cheating attempts due to edited client side files.
They also said the obvious, don't try playing around with the files if you don't know what your doing as you can cause the game to not start at all or crash etc etc etc......and they don't want tickets from people who caused their own errors...or at least, I wouldn't.


So OP, I would keep at the support thing to get a firm answer, but imo it should be OK to mod the sound files / language packs for text as they offer no advantage at all imo, just options.

However saying that PGI may want to release their own sound packs down the line...sooooo.............

The map thing would be cool, it would be nice if PGI would do it. (which they might) but even then, if a player created a system that worked, they may even like to take that and use it instead etc.....(with the creators permission ofc)

Edited by Fooooo, 02 January 2013 - 04:19 AM.

[seraphimsurf]

Barghest Whelp, on 02 January 2013 - 04:10 AM, said:

The map thingy sounds awesome, but that's also why it shouldn't be allowed. There would be an advantage to it. That being said, I think the current tacmap could do with some tweaking.

The other things should be ok imo, but you'd have to get the ok from PGI before doing it. Also, if you get the ok, you would need to share them with the whole community to make it fair.

In response to the maps I can understand how it may be a concern but could you explain the great advantage it would provide in relation to having a map open in another window with locations marked?
The type of editing I describe would only allow for a colored mark on the map graphic file that would be visible to that user only and reoccur when the map loaded. It is a little easier than taking the time at the start of the match to manually insert and update my own waypoint marks. It would also only show on the map itself and not popup as a Directional waypoint.
I could be wrong in the way I’m looking at it though.
Thank you for your feedback.

In reference to the ToU agreement I did read over that but it seems to me there are a number of precedents for minor usage of information and content in the form of mechlab tools, map packs, art, and video. I also am not looking to sell anything and expect that any derived or created content would in turn ultimately be the property of PGI/IGP as they retain rights to the content. My goal in the voice and language packs was to offer content to a growing portion of the fan base that is unlikely to have their needs addressed in the near future.
But as some of you have mentioned it will ultimatly be PGI's decition.
Thank you all for your input I appreciate it.

[Savinwraith]

Pr8Dator, on 02 January 2013 - 04:02 AM, said:

If Devs allow local modding, hacks will go out of control...

Interesting but I think that is can be said “h4X0rz gonna h4xx” . It will not matter if it is permissible or not. That element will proceed as they usually do.
At least the OP seems to be going through the correct channels in their inquiry.

An interesting proposition the OP has posed. Not of great use to me but I’m sure language packs would be useful to others.
As for the question of battle map editing, I don’t see an issue with what you’re proposing. Then again I do not see a clear advantage or use personally.
I am amazed at the abundance of free time you have though.

Best of luck to you.