new SF2 video by yes Mlracing

[+malibu43 142]

I still think we should try it. We ask, If he says no or don't provide anything we can use, we lose nothing but time.

 

I agree with Stratos.  Just because he hasn't shared anything in the past doesn't mean it's not worth asking.

 

I just won't get my hopes up.

[+RAVEN 414]

That's a lot of fingerprints on a monitor and I can't keep my IPod clean. Undecided at this point as to value.

[Stratos 3,177]

I think the value is on possible mods. IIRC He ven made a mod where he slew a optical sensor around, Stary know more than I about this guy, but will really love to see that video. I'm trying to contact him on simHq.

 

Some days ago we talked about possible future development, why not ask this guy for help and or guidance?

[FastCargo 412]

Let's make some things clear here.

 

What mlracing does with his videos is the equivalent of him showing you a porno and getting off watching you masturbating.

 

Now lets talk legality issues.  I'm not a lawyer and don't even play one on the internet.   That being said, if he's using some sort of external program to tweak some aspects of the rendering engine, that's one thing.

 

On the other hand, if he is actively hacking the executable code, that is a violation of the EULA, and laws in several countries.  Period.

 

This isn't something like Falcon, F/A-18, or TAW where the IP holders are not selling their programs anymore (Abandonware).  The SF series is still being offered for sale by the developer directly on the TW website.  It still pays the bills, and therefore, is not in the grey area of abandonware.

 

If this website is seen to be endorsing this behavior by any measure, that sets us up for legal action.

 

Does everyone understand this?  Does anyone think we can afford any sort of legal issues other than the normal ones that occur just running the site?  And don't give me the weak 'Pffft...like he'd sue us'...it ain't your ass in a sling if you're proven wrong...just once.

 

Also, when threads are edited, and/or members disciplined it is usually for the overall health of the community.  Mlracing pics and videos tended to 'stir the hornet's nest'...causing more problems with no benefits (you'll note he hasn't given you dick at SimHQ either).

 

So, in short, mlracing is 'persona non grata' in the public forum here.  You want to search him out somewhere else?  Knock yourselves out.

 

If he wants to be forthcoming and aboveboard on his methodologies, and they are legal, then we will reconsider his admittance.

 

FC

[SFP1Ace 33]

Yeah, it would be a real shame to get CA in legal trouble over this. Maybe hacking SF should be pursued at other venues? For example  The Dark Wraith at subsim doesn't have any issues patching Silent Hunter 5 .exes to fix lots of bugs, and it doesn't seem that UBISOFT is suing his ass any time soon. :)

[+Julhelm 266]

Or Team Fusion with IL2 CLOD

[+Stary 2,426]

yes FC because SF2 series is all over the internet and shareholders ear tryllions in stocks on it

 

of course I understand your point but day will come we'll be left without support, heck SF1 is now apparently no longer supported

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,545]

You can find for nearly every game <---- someone who "hacked" it, shared and the rest of the world enjoyed it ... 

 

SF2 is dead from TK`s side

[FastCargo 412]

Stary,

 

I realize of course that realistically, TK probably wouldn't be interested in a suite anyway....but still, a possibility to be avoided easily enough.

 

And at some point, when the TW series enters that area of Abandonware, then the circumstances will be different.

 

It's not there yet...folks today were reporting issues with their PC purchase confirmations....so somebody is still buying the PC games.

 

FC

[+76.IAP-Blackbird 3,545]

It was normal in the past to use Hex editors to change stuff ingame, or texteditors.. I dont say we have to upload and support it here at CA, but this is a new possibility for us to enjoy this game even further

[macelena 1,070]

It is amazing how everybody was so "aware" and enraged of the issues caused by piracy not too long ago, and now this kind of stuff is being seriously considered. I´m not anybody to lecture people on that, but you know, this is wrong.

 

It seems clear that TW has neglected the PC series, however, while they could have probably fared better with some decisions they didn´t make, in product development or specially in the marketing and distribution area, i think piracy itself may be a heavy reason as to why the PC series are not profitable enough. I guess they could probably solve both marketing-distribution and piracy with Steam, but the fact remains that, it is their stuff. I think it is better to move on if you don´t feel confortable with the current state of things than just hacking the $hit out of the job of such an small development team.

[+Julhelm 266]

Hacking a game isn't the same as piracy. Piracy is when you take something, make copies of it and distribute it to lots of people illegally. Hacking a game to add functionality or fix bugs is not piracy and never will be. Silent Hunter 5 and Cliffs of Dover were literally unplayable until enterprising individuals started hacking into the codebase. Both games have strong followings now but would have been dead otherwise.

[Fubar512 1,350]

But hacking the game and distributing the hack without the permission of the title's legal owner violates the EULA, and opens one up to the possibility of a lawsuit.  And, if any of you don't believe that a "small" game developer won't go to the trouble, let me assure you that it has happened.  Once upon a time, a former member of this site started uploading mods that used textures from another title, and was contacted by an attorney that represented said title, and was given two choices: cease and desist, or face prosecution.  Dave knows who I am referring to. 

Edited January 26, 2014 by Fubar512

[+Julhelm 266]

That's a different case (outright stealing content and redistributing it) from releasing a code patcher or wrapper, which is what TDW and Team Fusion have done for SH5 and CLOD. We're not talking about redistributing the .exe here.

[+Stary 2,426]

guys it really is simple.

 

-We want better SF2 experience, not dwelling into various aspects, be it gameplay, avionics, procedures, visuals etc.

-TK clearly lost interest in PC crowd, at least he shows no singns of it -no exp3 wips, no wips at all, except from AI packs (which seems now like selling of spare assets) minimal DLCs

 

Those two contradict each other. SF and SF2 were build with modding in mind, without old timers around here the series would die after WoV I bet.

 

BUT said 3rd party creators invested too much of their money and free time to now be left alone, so no one should be otraged seeing as we start to searching either for alternatives (good luck with DCS... as much as I adore it's execution I find it hard to believe it will become the-sim-to-rule-them-all) or by, well, hacking the material we're given. And by hacking I mean what Jules says, using sorts of wrappers and "code discoveries" to improve the experience.

 

Old timers, remember EAW? Good memories? Remeber what was the first non flyable turned flyable? And how you did it by HEXing one line in the code? Was it worth? Because to me it totally was.

[+Julhelm 266]

I think the moderators here (Fastcargo, Wrench and Fubar) should stop the silly faux arguments about piracy and lawsuits and admit they plain just don't like the guy, and that's why he isn't allowed here.

[+Stary 2,426]

And might it be he's not from ekhmm northern hemisphere if you knw what I mean

[Stratos 3,177]

I have my hopes high in getting a better SF2 experience, I'm one of those old EAW members, and it was totally worth. An TK was already involved in EAW.

[+Julhelm 266]

'Not invented here'

[+Brain32 265]

I'll just say that IL2 1946 is still for sale: http://store.steampowered.com/app/15320/

[Stratos 3,177]

Why don't we ask TK?

 

Mr.TK can we start messing with your SF2 exes in order to add new features and fix bugs?

 

Thanks.

[+JonathanRL 973]

Mr.TK can we start messing with your SF2 exes in order to add new features and fix bugs?

 

In my experience, asking TK to keep/alter/do/not do/dance/tamper/patch/fix something usually makes him think it is a bug report and shuts it down.

Edited January 26, 2014 by JonathanRL

[Stratos 3,177]

Go ahead. Ask him.

 

Just did it. Will post here If he answers. But imagines he agrees? What will we do then?

 

http://combatace.com/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=img_ctrl&img=27227&file=max

 

In my opinion, TK sims are far ahead DCS, more planes, terrains, weapons... If we can add more realism and fix certain things...

[+Julhelm 266]

Any reply other than 'go ahead' would be taking the piss since this entire series and by extension TK's business owes its entire existence to modders hacking the code. Some may not remember this but SFP1 when released was as unfinished and broken as Cliffs of Dover.

[Stratos 3,177]

Any reply other than 'go ahead' would be taking the piss since this entire series and by extension TK's business owes its entire existence to modders hacking the code. Some may not remember this but SFP1 when released was as unfinished and broken as Cliffs of Dover.

 

Maybe that will make TK agree with us.