[Droid803]

Okay, this scenario has been playing around in my head for some time. Then I figured it would be interesting to see what you people would do. I would like to assert that this is a fictional thought exercise. Any similarity to real/current events is purely coincidental.

Say you have a campaign nearing completion that has a specific mission designed around a certain asset. However, said asset happens to be a leaked, and supposedly super-secret, exclusive asset to an unreleased mod. You were not aware of circumstances the moment the mission was designed and built as you stumbled upon it. Re-designing the mission is out of the question at this point, it would take too much time and effort and re-writing of the plot and core gameplay design. From all you know, the mod is dead, or basically dead, just holding onto assets in case someone picks it back up. You have no idea who's the leader of it anymore, or if anyone even is, thus contacting them is pretty much impossible.

Thus, there are the following options:
1) Give no ****s and release anyway when it's ready (worry about the lawsuit later, if it ever comes)
2) Replace the model with a custom designed asset made to fit the requirements (delay the release by weeks to months reinventing the wheel, possibly with lesser quality)
3) Wait for the mod to release (delay the release by years possibly or even never)
4) ??? (any other ideas?)

What would you do?

[Scotty]

Contact the asset holder and figure out if you can get permission to use it.

[niffiwan]

I think ethically option 2 is the best of a bad set of choices.  Option 1 isn't ethical IMHO, and option 3 is probably doomed to waiting forever.  I don't know what other options there would be, maybe re-purpose a different existing asset, but that might take as long as option 2 anyway.  Try your hardest to contact the original author anyway?

[General Battuta]

This is a really ****ty situation to be in, but in this case, I think you should reach out to

Spoiler:

Tantalus

[Black Wolf]

This wasn't triggered by a certain leaked Shivan Destroyer fiasco, was it? I guess I personally would be extremely miffed I'd someone released one of my assetts without my permission, but if I'd departed the community forever without releasing something, I'd probably want it out there. It's a tough situation. Perhaps a public post enquiring about the status of the asset? Someone may know something that you don't.

[General Battuta]

Yeah I know the stuff you don't since I have internal access

[Droid803]

You know, I worded it that way to keep things contained, didn't want to drag it into the public light.
Thanks though.

[General Battuta]

Sorry

[MatthTheGeek]

I think anyone who is paying the slightest attention to the wiki and IRC knows about it. Cat's out of the bag now.

Also, I have to point out that a mod that doesn't release its ships, is a mod that believes it needs ships to make its mod interesting, and hence is a sad mod indeeed.

[Nyctaeus]

That's what happening with mod, when the team is against the mod leader. It's still a big shame for me, that I can't regret. Too bad...

Anyway, most of the assets from this mod are released. Only music, cutscenes, and other special things aren't and I'm not sure if they will ever be. Nobody cares.

[NGTM-1R]

That depends entirely on the active status of who made it (not the mod leader, the model-maker, this is important). If they're all-the-way-gone, I'd say damn the torpedoes and release, if they're still about, try and get permission and if permission isn't forthcoming make something yourself.

[NeonShivan]

Would this be related to something being leaked by any chance...judging by the people talking I'm guessing its also inferno related. But imho, I'd try to get permission to use it first, if not then I'll have to wait for the mod to be released or try to find (or make) a replacement asset.

[General Battuta]

it's not inferno related

[karajorma]

Personally I'd contact those involved with the mod and offer services of equal or great time value to those involved in making the mod I need.

That's basically a win-win solution when dealing with someone of your calibre. Either the mod is dead, in which case the mod gets used and you don't have to do anything, or the mod gets an injection of new life.

[zookeeper]

Well, since you said "ethics" instead of "typical code of conduct amongst modders", of course there's no problem with 1). As for what I'd actually do would likely depend on several factors.

[fightermedic]

if you are talking about an asset that has not been created to be used in commercial software, the only damage you do when using it while not havin permission is damage to the creator's pride
so the question is: what do you value more? a persons pride, or to release a free piece of art for everyone (which basically every mod is)
personally, i think every piece of software that no legal owner earns money with should be free by definition

[MatthTheGeek]

He's talking about an asset that was specifically made for a mod, and which release was purposefully delayed for long (years maybe ?), because the aforementioned mod team believe it is so important to the mod, that releasing it before releasing the mod would make for a less impressive mod release. Which is sad. Especially given that the mod in question has shown no sign to release anytime soon.

Droid is not trying to release it commercially or anything, he's just trying to see whether he should use that leaked asset or not.

Yay for long sentences.

[Kie99]

1) **** the haters, release anyway YOLO.  Once it's available/"leaked" it's fair game.  You'll make more people happy (including yourself) by releasing a decent mod than you will by pandering to the whims of the makers of a mod that will probably never get released.

[Black Wolf]

1) **** the haters, release anyway YOLO.  Once it's available/"leaked" it's fair game.  You'll make more people happy (including yourself) by releasing a decent mod than you will by pandering to the whims of the makers of a mod that will probably never get released.

That can't be the attitude we take in a community built on volunteer effort. If we effectively remove those volunteers' right to decide how their work is , well, we might not be killing the golden goose, but we're certainly beating it with a pretty sizable stick. I know that if any of my curently unreleased assets were used against my wishes, I'd certainly have to reevaluate the effort I put into them, especially if it was done with community support behind the leaker. It's important that we always remember that there are people behind these models, and while you might not agree with the creators' decisions regarding exclusivity, they have to remain their decisions.

[MatthTheGeek]

I agree with BW. Even if I believe everything and their kitchen sink should be free to use as soon as it is in a releasable state, I think it is more important that the asset creator has the last word about how his creations are used.