NMC

Thanks Tekmage, I've altered a few settings on my pages today but to be honest I'm not 100% sure exactly what I've opted into yet :huh: - be it direct donations, donation points or memberships donations, or all three! I'll read the system properly later to get a fuller understanding of it all and tweak my settings accordingly then when I have more time. There may even be an option to pass a points on to other users- there's a few people who have helped out on my mod pages so it would be good to say thanks.

Could you clarify what you mean here, please? There are still direct donations to authors, the two systems are completely separate. It's not a choice between one or the other - mod authors can choose to have no donations, direct donations but no DP, or direct donations AND DP (on top of whatever other donation platforms they use, such as Patreon, provided it remains without our ToS). The result is that the DP system provides a significant injection of donation money into mod author's pockets than was originally possible simply with direct donations - but direct donations still exist and are still used by users. As such, there is not a "middle man between you and direct donations". There is a middle man between you and DP, because Nexus Mods is the majority contributor towards the DP pool, but DP and direct donations are two completely separate entities on the site that do not touch each other in any way. Ah, thanks for the clarification of the system, it seems I had completely misunderstood it. I was under the wrong impression that the direct donation system had been removed altogether in place of a pooled donation scheme. Somehow I got that stuck in my head during the early inception of the idea, and I heard a fair bit of speculation at that time from various sources and I decided to remove all donations from my mods back then. I did not see it's final implementation as it stands. I apologise for the wrong statement I made there. It currently seems a lot better than I realised in that case, allowing tailoring to mod authors preferences. As I now understand it, it seems like an improvement even over the original donation system. I will read over the system in place fully again to see the options available. For the record, I do recognise that is was Nexus who first created a donations scheme at all for modders to benefit from, so I appreciate the very fact it exists at all as I'm sure all modders here do too.

@ Mornedil, I agree. Just recently I had a comment regarding a 'bug' in one of my mods that is about 8 years old, and the poster remarked that ...'it was unlikely to be 'fixed' as development has ended'. I felt the arm-twist in that false remark so to avoid anyone believing their claim, I now felt obliged to address it. Turned out there was no error at all, but it required me to re-download 3 versions of my mod, install each version and test and view the files in Photoshop to prove this, then reply back with my findings. Took me about an hour or so to do this. No response back.... But I had to do all this, as the accusation was that I had released a broken file and that comment would maybe put people off downloading the mod. Or my 'work' is shoddy. So it is "work" maintaining a mod, and replying to questions often for years on end is work too. A lot of time is spent that you don't want to spend, but feel obliged as you have a little pride in your work, and to fullfil community expectations of you. A lot of mods are better maintained than the games themselves, bugs fixed, questions answered- unlike a lot of the broken releases we all actually paid for. Try and get a developer to fix a bug or reply and you'll know what I mean. So, to ask for a little appreciation for your efforts is not a lot to ask. For those saying they won't donate, hey that's fine, we don't ask for a payment for each download. But it would be great if we could. And it makes it a nice gesture when someone actually takes the time and trouble to send a donation to you. You feel like it was genuinely appreciated- and guess what? It actually encourages you to maybe release another mod when you feel appreciated. If it wasn't for modders, Nexus woudn't exist and nor would your bespoke games. You would be left with the default release, replete with bugs, faults and standard features. Maybe we deserve a little credit, appreciation and *gasp* 'reward'? At least to cover costs like software, electricity etc. Let's be clear- there is a world of difference between being paid to do something, and a donation. We don't demand to be 'paid', but we do appreciate receiving a 'donation'. It's voluntary. Using analogies like 'building sandcastles' insinuates that it's all just a childish pursuit and not to be appreciated. Fair enough, some people are just like that I suppose. But in real life you don't often get strangers walking over and complaining about your sandcastle, asking you to fix it, change it, build it bigger and better, or kicking it apart because they don't like it. Unless it really does have a personal value to them of course... That said, I am not a fan of the pooled points donation approach at all. I saw no issue with the direct donation via paypal situation, as it felt personal to you, a direct thank-you for your efforts from someone who downloaded your mod and liked it. Why there is now a middle man between you and direct donations and a storefront to negotiate and to spend your tokens in, says more about what modding really means to those who really control it. Is it a hobby to them?

Thank you very much for the text version, I appreciate it! I think the first 2 words and the last word give the best clues to what this may be... "Story synopsis" and at the end- "Credits". Looks like it may be shorthand storyboard text, at least to me. But is this actually a full game plot or story for a Fallout that we know or Is there even another game idea amongst all that text? I get the feeling that there were storyboard images to go with that info, but they will be tucked away in a Bethesda office somewhere. But even on it's own its possibly an insight into the methodology of making a game as complex and deep as Fallout. For every finished product, you never really get to see the process it takes to get there so this is a very interesting find to me. After years modding, I got just as interested in how games are built as I was in experiencing the end result. Maybe it's even an idea for a movie of the Fallout world. I hope others share their theories of what it may be... PS., talking about hidden stuff and Fallout 76... 'Fallout 76' players found a secret developer room'https://www.engadget.com/2019/01/12/fallout-76-players-find-developer-room/?guccounter=1 And it's kicked up another developer storm by the sounds of it.

Maybe some OCR sofware could convert that to text, unless zeroandone could kindly copy and paste the xml files here (if that does not breach any T&C's of Bethesda/Zenimax/Nexus)... ...but a very interesting find nonetheless. I think it may take a coder or programmer to understand their meaning or purpose though. Maybe a result of brainstorming/ storyboard work that needs an external piece of software to structure correctly? Just a thought.

Well that damning indictment has firmly cemented my belief that F76 is to be avoided. A part of me,(the optimistic kid), wanted to think "I'll find something others missed and probably enjoy it... they probably don't know how to enjoy games like this" when it was released. Then the usual round of youtube gameplay reviews, online magazine reviews and still it seemed to be a bankrupt experience to be avoided. Caveat Emptor. "What about the die-hard fans?" I thought... "thats me". Lets see what others think. Off to Metacritic and a few forums to see the user reviews. OK, now I'm getting the picture. This post though... well, for it to taint previously loved iterations of the Fallout franchise is quite a thing. It seems this game, which maybe seemed like a great concept on paper wa so badly executed that it may serve as nothing more than an example of how NOT to do it. The beauty of Bethesda games, right back to Morrowind and evolving through Oblivion, Skyrim, Fallout 3, NV, and FO4 seems to have been thoroughly broken, burnt and buried with this title. A real shame. But thank you for this post, it may serve to ensure I never approach that inevitable Steam Sale and take the bait..... for it to almost serve as aversion therapy for all the developers games for you... wow, it sounds truly bad. I hope and pray the generally consensus of this game being an horrendous experience serves as enough of a jolt to trigger a true masterpiece of a Fallout game from the developers, to save the franchise at the very least. At least then some good may come of it being released. Maybe after a break away from it will allow you to return to the earler Fallout games at a later date... EDIT: good find on those hidden XML files- difficult to say what their purpose is though-

1) Deus Ex (PS2), 2) Morrowind. 3) Arx Fatalis

I've never felt so elated and then let down by reading through this thread- it's such a shame Apeiron got shut down. KOTOR was/ is a very special game and after watching this youtube clip, I feel even worse about it.

Apparently this is a relatively common occurance...and it is a phishing scam. In fact, in the last 3 days I have received 3 similar emails and included some old passwords I no longer use, thankfully! So a word of warning, use UNIQUE passwords for every site you use, and change them regularly! Here's a set of posts on 'reddit' about the exact email I received but with different hacker names, and different ransom demand amounts. I believe these following links to be 100% legitimate, however please investigate yourself before using them. Hopefully I am not breaching any Nexus T&C's by posting links here?? If so I apologise, and will delete the post. https://www.reddit.com/r/hacking/comments/9ph2ix/hacker_asking_me_for_830/ And amongst the posts there was a link, where you can check the potential sources of the data breach on your email account: https://haveibeenpwned.com/ You simply type your email address in, and it will tell you if it has ever been breached, and name the sources of the breaches too. As it turned out, I have been a victim of a data breach from FIVE different sources! However, if you have unique passwords for every site/ login info then you are relatively safe from what I understand. I think I will be investing in a password manager to control the evergrowing number of passwords I have. Preferably one that will remind me to change them regularly. Edit: If anyone with better insight than myself can provide some advice regarding security/ password management, I'd be grateful to learn from it.

In response to post #60572182. #60581342 is also a reply to the same post. That's pretty much what I would have expected, as it's clear that Nexus respects and protects the intellectual property of the modders here so this would naturally fit that ethos. I've personally benefitted from that protection more than once. Copyright and licencing are matters that I am sure the more informed members of Nexus will write tutorials and guides on, but I sincerely appreciate the sentiment of the project as it stands- as a tangible 'thank-you' to modders from Nexus, which is definitely reciprocated. The DP system is new and unique, so naturally there is a learning curve and things to iron out for everyone but I believe it's foundations are based on what modding is actually about and will strengthen the community ultimately. I and others do appreciate the work and consideration that went into all of this.

In response to post #60519602. #60542232, #60553337, #60555852, #60573257 are all replies on the same post. You made some very good points, thanks for the new perspective and insight... and I too am likely to sit back and wait to see how things pan out all things considered. That's more pragmatism than pessimism, as I use too many external resources to take a risk. But the optimist in me would hope the following is true: *The 'Donation' itself could be seen solely as reward for the 'hard work' the modder themselves applied in making the mod, and NOT payment for the content of that mod. * So, the donation is simply an appreciation shown to the modder, who did not make it a mandatory financial agreement- ie., pay me or no mod. * The modder used those assets with the mod itself viewed and considered as a personal project. * And in making that mod, there was no certainty or expectation of gaining any financial return whatsoever, it was released as a personal project. But all that said, I'm not sure I want to volunteer to be the first canary down the mine and so I'll err on the side of caution for now. As you said, I also find reward in positive feedback and the sense of achievement and self development in itself, or I would have quit long ago. PS., I too was there in the 80's, tinkering with Z80 assembly language, and making homemade adventure games in Basic with a few graphics thrown in- (my first ever graphics!) It never really leaves you ;)

In response to post #60519602. #60542232, #60553337 are all replies on the same post. Haha, I enjoyed that! But on a serious note, a concern of mine is the licensing for the photo reference I use in my texture mods- they typically indicate that they are only for use in non-profit, non-commercial personal projects. So I have a nagging concern that this may automatically preclude me from opting in, as this may breach those terms... although I'm not sure opting into this DP system and releasing work would or could ever be viewed as 'making a profit' or a 'commercial venture' as these are indirect voluntary donations, not direct payments... but that said, Nexus would provide payment in a way.... the more downloads, the greater the share, and some of it from their own funds.... So I wouldn't want to just take a chance and hope for the best without a second opinion. Having no legal knowledge to speak of, it's a point of uncertainty that would be good to have cleared up and at least give me the option, as those t&c's can be worrisome to the uninitiated and uninformed like myself... I do suspect it depends on the person/website applying those original terms on how strictly they are upheld and applied though, and I doubt anyone would be hunted down over the price of a sandwich, ethical considerations aside for the moment.

In response to post #60519602. If it was, I'd be planning my retirement :D I don't like the word 'prospective', smells of hard work...

In response to post #60506737. #60530802 is also a reply to the same post. Good call, especially part 1 Fielran. That was something that caught my eye in the settings too, it is slightly ambiguous and could be taken as giving prior permission to use assets. I regularly receive PM requests for asset usage (although my settings already state no to this) and quite a few recently, so I agree that someone reading that could possibly take it as I've granted permission already. I'm not against the idea of asset sharing per se, but as I have only become recently aware of this new DP system and not had chance to appreciate it's full potential, impact or implications or even read how DP points would/could be shared when assets are used, I'm not in a position to make an informed decision just yet. So I agree, it would be good to have the settings default to something more erring towards contacting the author first for permission, as at least a baseline position to avoid any potential confusion. I've got some reading ahead.

Oh, the agony of choice! Possibly some bending the defintion of RPG's here, but I loved playing all these over the years: Deus Ex (still my number 1) Oblivion & Morrowind Fallout 3 ICO (RPG ?) No-one Lives Forever (RPG ?) KOTOR 1 & 2 Neverwinter Nights 1 & 2 STALKER (RPG ?) Mafia Gothic 3 Risen Call of Cthulhu (RPG ?) The Suffering (RPG ?) and a true hidden gem in my opinion: Arx Fatalis... ...amazing atmosphere, humour and gameplay. Recommend any RPG fan to give a try :)