Mods and money

[Jubal]

http://forums.taleworlds.net/index.php/topic,71576.0.html

That can explain this better than I can. Basically Paradox (M&B's Publisher) are thinking of releasing a sold pack with some mods in, and paying the modders.

This is why I think it's a bad idea...

I don't like the idea of commercial modding, simply because it creates what's very much a two-tier system. In teams as loosely organised as many on TW, I can see MAJOR issues coming up with rights to profit and percentage splits. Also, what about OSP packs? What about people using each other's work? The sharing of code and files among the community is now very widespread. For example if I were to become a paid modder with SR, are James, Mirathei, Nema, et cetera, entiled to part of my profits for my use of their models and code? What about people who are "on the team" but have only really made a couple of scenes?
What if, for example, a modder got a model from SR and used it as part of a sold mod? Since that model is from my mod, can I request that he pays me for it, or can I tell him to remove it?

If modders worked totally on their lonesome, or in a completely insular team (and that said, a few do) this would work fine. However, in the file-sharing, open-source nature of the modding community we could see REAL issues coming up due to this.

Right, so what are people's opinions on this...?

[Silver Wolf]

I completely agree with your quote... Modders should only be paid if they made complete mod (models, textures, music, code) by themselves

[Andalus]

The whole ethos of modding has always been one of unpaid work. The reward is the praise and respect you may earn for your effort, and the satisfaction of having ceated your mod. Turning it into a money-making enterprise perverts the whole modding community.

You are also correct in saying it would not be very feasible. Many mods are made by teams who onyl really know each over over forums, many of whom are relatively young, and would not really be in a position to be dividing and transferring money between themselves. Furthermore, how is the money divided. How much goes to the mod leader who did a lot the work and came up with all the ideas, and how much to the person who did a couple of new skins?

And then you have the matter of open source material, and the fact a lot of mods often incorporate mini-mods of others or use some files from another mod with permisiion. If money becomes an issue, people will be far less willing to share their work, and the whole modding sene will become embroiled in copyright matters.

[Phoenixguard09]

Yes I agree with everyone so far but, would it be so bad for the mods to be released with the game but without payment?  I know the main reason  why mmy friend doesn't download mods is the wait for the download to finish and the fact that mods are generally unifinished and therefore buggy.  To some extent I agree with him although it doesn't stop me from downloading any mod I damn well please.  

Wouldn't the inclusion of some of the best mods open more people up to the modding community and therefore create more long-term players of the game and members of the community? I think so.  

Just a thought...

[Jubal]

I'm all in favour of mods being officialised, just not paid for. Money and disputes over it can shred online communities horribly easily.

[Cuddly Khan]

I'm in favor and I don't think they did anyway.