SkyrimForge: Mod Hosting, Development Tools, and Much More! : V

» Mon May 14, 2012 1:07 am

http://www.skyrimforge.com/

CursesForge now offers SkyrimForge that offers a lot of tools and opportunities for Mod Developers even an on going contest with $15,000 in total prizes.

- http://www.skyrimforge.com/wiki/how-to-upload-your-mod-to-skyrim-forge/
- http://www.skyrimforge.com/wiki/skyrim-forge-faq/

Irc Information: irc.freenode.net #curseforge

Current SkyrimForge Features
Included in the initial launch of the website are the following features:

Fully-featured Project Management System. Update your projects via the simple upload system, or automatically with several different Version Control Systems! The following Version Control Systems can be used to update projects:
SVN
Git
Mercurial
Robust Ticket System Allows users to create tickets so the developer is aware of outstanding issues with the project, or suggestions from users for enhancements. The ticket system is designed to be smart, so that similar issues are grouped together for easy browsing. Also allows browsing of either the entire group of issues, or a single ticket under that group of issues. Supported ticket types:
Defects
Enhancements
Patches
Tasks
Other
Every project has its own repository for easy committing of changes!
Project manager will be able to designate whether to sync the repository's password with their account, making it quick and easy to log in. Includes automated / configurable Access Control Levels to grant only the access you want to give to other project members.
Fully-featured Wiki Every project on SkyrimForge will receive its very own Wiki, to store information about the project.
Automated Packager Automatically creates a zip file of each revision in the SVN repository for a project, making it immediately available for users to download. '''These zip files are also automatically syndicated with Curse.com - increasing the reach of a project more than ever before.'''
Alpha / Beta / Release Distinction Project managers will be able to designate Alpha / Beta / Release distinction, creating an "opt-in" scenario, where only users who wish to download pre-release projects with the Curse Client can do so, while those that only want stable versions can rest assured they will not download something buggy.
Ability to upload screenshots of mods
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News related to mod development

» Mon May 14, 2012 5:29 am

Uh, no thanks. I'd rather not have a site mucking with my files. Next please!

» Sun May 13, 2012 11:08 pm

Good luck to you. Most of what you describe is extremely difficult to implement with a game that has the complexity and variety that the Elder Scrolls games do. I'm not gonna take the risk though. I'll stick with TESNexus and TESAlliance and the other established and respected modding sites for my download and upload needs.

» Mon May 14, 2012 4:34 am

Clearly two threads for the same thing will need two replies with the same answer. :sigh:

No thanks. I don't approve of how Curse.com is intending to 'support' the modding community.

http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/444272-offering-from-cursecom/

EDIT: The link only works if you're a recognised modder at the Nexus forums (its in their discussion forums). I think that to be a recognised modder there you need something like 7000 downloads in total from your files hosted on the Nexus sites.

I can't quote the OP without referencing the replies (or it loses all meaning), and there's 8 pages of exposition by various modders on why curse.com's intentions are most likely only to have a damaging effect on the community.

Unfortunately, those who aren't recognised modders are just going to have to take my word for it.

I wish those that claimed to be helping the community actually took the time to find out how stuff works. Your proposals will not work. It's just another way to attempt to cash in on the work that other people do for free. That, frankly, sickens me.

» Mon May 14, 2012 12:36 am

I note you don't mention this part in your pitch.

Our current big issue we face is the fact that unlike MMOs like WoW or Rift, it will take a new system to be implemented to make sure that no .esp files (or even texture files) conflict. Currently, the plan is to make this incredibly simple for both mod author and user -- inject a simple, hidden ctoc file into the zip. This does not affect the author's files in any way, and is only used by our system to make sure that these files are not conflicting in any way, shape, or form with another mod. The users would never see it, as they would either be using our Curse Client to be downloading the mods, or because it's hidden in the zip file.
-http://www.thenexusforums.com/index.php?/topic/444272-offering-from-cursecom/

I for one will not permit my mods to be hosted on a site that feels it's alright to "inject" anything into my uploads, and not just because of trite slippery-slope logic in the "what else might they add?" vein.
Having the tools on-site available to manage submissions? Quite alright with that. Altering those submissions? Very much not alright.

(To be clear, I'm objecting on the core principle of the matter. I can't deny that the intended purpose of these little "injections" is noble enough, for the end user at least, but I will not accept a mod hosting site to intervene between me and the people who want to use my mod. If they have trouble installing, I have always listed my contact information in my README file.)

» Sun May 13, 2012 11:38 pm

I note you don't mention this part in your pitch.

I for one will not permit my mods to be hosted on a site that feels it's alright to "inject" anything into my uploads, and not just because of trite slippery-slope logic in the "what else might they add?" vein.
Having the tools on-site available to manage submissions? Quite alright with that. Altering those submissions? Very much not alright.

(To be clear, I'm objecting on the core principle of the matter. I can't deny that the intended purpose of these little "injections" is noble enough, for the end user at least, but I will not accept a mod hosting site to intervene between me and the people who want to use my mod. If they have trouble installing, I have always listed my contact information in my README file.)

Not to mention the fact that it just serves as another outlet for those dang annoying ads and all. Systems like that are never good, in my opinion.

» Sun May 13, 2012 4:22 pm

I note you don't mention this part in your pitch.

I for one will not permit my mods to be hosted on a site that feels it's alright to "inject" anything into my uploads, and not just because of trite slippery-slope logic in the "what else might they add?" vein.
Having the tools on-site available to manage submissions? Quite alright with that. Altering those submissions? Very much not alright.

(To be clear, I'm objecting on the core principle of the matter. I can't deny that the intended purpose of these little "injections" is noble enough, for the end user at least, but I will not accept a mod hosting site to intervene between me and the people who want to use my mod. If they have trouble installing, I have always listed my contact information in my README file.)

You're acting like it's some sneaky devious scheme from their end. Based on the quote you used that's quite the fetch. If the site spells out what will be done to the upload how is that a problem? The intended purpose for it is clear. You can always re-download and verify that that's all that was changed. If your fear is that the free mod and mod-management tools hoster will alter your mod then I'm guessing you'll be hosting it yourself on your own server since any host could easily modify your files on their end. Props to them for giving a heads-up and explaining the reason behind the decision. Your post seems a bit alarmist.

Not to mention the fact that it just serves as another outlet for those dang annoying ads and all. Systems like that are never good, in my opinion.

If they pay for free mod hosting and useful mod management tools I don't see a problem with it. And I hate ads as much as the next person.

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Colors 'cause I wanna be a unique and special snowflake too, look at me!

» Mon May 14, 2012 1:54 am

I'll be sticking with TES Nexus. I've never liked Curse for WoW, and I don't imagine I'll like it much for TES.

» Sun May 13, 2012 5:00 pm

Curse.com will not be needed and will not be favored by this community for as long as the Nexus will exist. It is clearly a superior alternative, less greedy and more trusted.

This being said, those of you who are planning great mods early-on anyway might as well upload them there TOO just to rack in the prize money

» Sun May 13, 2012 3:37 pm

If they pay for free mod hosting and useful mod management tools I don't see a problem with it. And I hate ads as much as the next person.

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Colors 'cause I wanna be a unique and special snowflake too, look at me!

Not the kind of ads I'm talking about. I'm talking about the invasive ads that come with stuff that promises to manage things and all those annoying toolbars that a lot of stuff asks you if you want to install. Those kinds of ads are what I'm talking about. Basically, the stuff you cannot turn off. I'm fine with the stuff on the 'Net, as I can shut them off if I want. If I like the company, I'll support them by whitelisting the ads on the site. Though, I shouldn't be forced to deal with the ads. On TV, for instance, I can just switch channels until the show comes back on.

» Sun May 13, 2012 4:29 pm

You're acting like it's some sneaky devious scheme from their end. Based on the quote you used that's quite the fetch. If the site spells out what will be done to the upload how is that a problem? The intended purpose for it is clear. You can always re-download and verify that that's all that was changed. If your fear is that the free mod and mod-management tools hoster will alter your mod then I'm guessing you'll be hosting it yourself on your own server since any host could easily modify your files on their end. Props to them for giving a heads-up and explaining the reason behind the decision. Your post seems a bit alarmist.

"Could" and "will" are very different, comrade. And it's not that I don't understand the admittedly noble/convenient reasoning behind it, but if a mod user has issues installing or using my mod, my contact info is always in the Readme file. Despite my very adamant stance on the subject, I don't actually believe there's anything harmful being added. But nor do I want my mods to come attached with "Download the Yahoo! toolbar?" install prompts, screwy conflict checks, and so forth. The ads on PES and Nexus are bad enough, but I accept them as a fact of life. If I found out either site were physically altering my files (beyond renaming them for database reasons), you bet your *** I would absolutely pull my mods from them as well.

Alarmist? Not the intent. But I do draw certain "lines in the sand" with my creative work, and this is simply not one I'm going to accept crossing. Your mods are your own, of course, and you're welcome to reach your own conclusions on that topic.

Colors 'cause I wanna be a unique and special snowflake too, look at me!

Colors from http://pwi-forum.perfectworld.com/showthread.php?t=1226291. Don't troll me.

» Sun May 13, 2012 11:04 pm

If I found out either site were physically altering my files (beyond renaming them for database reasons), you bet your *** I would absolutely pull my mods from them as well.

For what it's worth, I agree with this as well. If I found out any of the hosting sites I currently use were modifying my archives in any way, beyond renaming the file for database purposes, I'd pull them and let everyone know it had been done so that those who don't want their work tampered with have the opportunity to decide that.

» Sun May 13, 2012 4:07 pm

Yea.. Best of luck with your ventures Kane Hart, but your services will not be needed in this community.

The ES modding community has built quite a nice niche with the sites that we currently use and are comfortable with.

» Mon May 14, 2012 7:03 am

Curse is the Wal-mart of mod sites. No thank you.

Good luck coding worthwhile tools for Skyrim before the inevitable port of Timeslip & Wrye's utilities. :3

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:24 pm

Good luck coding worthwhile tools for Skyrim before the inevitable port of Timeslip & Wrye's utilities. :3

I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss them on this basis. Considering the kind of company this is and the apparent relationship they hold behind the scenes with Bethesda, they could well have a jump on all of us ad far as knowledge of the data files.

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:34 am

I'm sorry, I've already erected a predisposition in that this site is really just trying to Cash in on what Nexus has handled for quite some time. No thank you I guess.

» Mon May 14, 2012 2:22 am

So people are up in arms over free online repositories and tools for bug tracking and distribution because...?

Though this line is worrying:

These zip files are also automatically syndicated with Curse.com - increasing the reach of a project more than ever before.

Does Nexus put their name on mods like this? It seems troubling.

» Mon May 14, 2012 3:33 am

So people are up in arms over free online repositories and tools for bug tracking and distribution because...?

Though this line is worrying:

Does Nexus put their name on mods like this? It seems troubling.

Nope, just attaches a number that relates it to the mod number so it's easy to find the post.

» Mon May 14, 2012 7:03 am

Nope, just attaches a number that relates it to the mod number so it's easy to find the post.

So no branding from Nexus then? Well, that's a point in their favor.

» Sun May 13, 2012 3:38 pm

So no branding from Nexus then? Well, that's a point in their favor.

There have been times when I had to Google a mod name as some of them came in multiple RAR files I had to combine and I left off the number and some of the hosts didn't all have the same version and I wanted to update it. Though, that's not a fault. Just me not keeping my data straight

» Mon May 14, 2012 12:10 am

As a software developer IRL, the features sound fantastic. We pay a lot of money at work for similar functionality. I'm just really gunshy regarding the Curse brand, and the company behind it. It feels a bit too much like the fiascos with manga readers hosting scanlated works, and collecting ad revenue from other people's efforts. I don't know if I can support this site outside of a couple submissions to the contest.

» Mon May 14, 2012 1:26 am

I hope modders just keep using Nexus, I hate how Morrowind has multiple places you have to go to get mods. The fact that Nexus is by far the number 1 site for OB,FO3 and NV makes it that much easier to search and get mods for those games.

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:55 pm

Oh yay, Curse trying to buy their way into another community.

» Sun May 13, 2012 10:52 pm

This is looking a lot like advertising, which isn't allowed here. I'm going to have to close this.