And don't forget.. Everyone that can build a suited ship for the game, can work together with Vstep to get it in, so it's not like there is a need for any open source code stuff to begin with. And Vstep will provide the tools and even assistance where needed. And indeed, some steps in the process are done by VStep themselves.
The fact that not many people actually deliver suitable models, that's not Vstep's fault, obviously. And if you see where an open structure like VS leads to, in terms of the quality of the addons our there.. well.. Open source isn't everything either. And don't forget aswell that the flightsimming addon scene didn't just pop up right when Flightsim started out. And keep in mind how many models in simulators lack proper dynamics. Just because you can model, does't mean you're a marine engineer too, knowing how to make the ship behave realistically. I have had many many sims, and TONS of addons in all sorts shapes and sizes, and I find that only a VERY small percentage of user made addons is of a professional enough standard to truly simulate a realistic situation in a game where realism is paramount. As said above...if you want a huge fleet of average ships that perform unrealistically, there are other games out there.
It's all apples and oranges mostly, if you compare it one on one. Vstep just decided to keep the quality in control. And I know more than enough games that have no addons whatsoever, 3rd party ór official. You get what you pay for, and you know what you get beforehand. There's nothing that the developer "owes you" in terms of free new goodies, after you have bought the full game. Many developers sell their addons, that's nothing new at all, so paying for new content seems reasonable enough, it's just that gamers are spoiled by all the free 3rd party stuff out there for so many games, that they expect free bonus material with everything, these days.
We shouldn't have to put things on a "wish list" for them to develop and then charge us for.
We should be able to just tell them what we want and then get it for free? I rest my case.
Doesn't work like that. It takes a lot of time, effort and money to create these addons, people do that for a living, they have to feed their family, giving it away is bad business.
^ it's designed for serious *expensive* play. think about how many more copies of ship sim could be sold if it wasn't so closed off to development.
Ship Simulator is the leading title in the non-combat nautical simulation genre with half a million copies sold, not counting the addons. Go ask on the VS forum, how many they sold. Just compare forum members to begin with.
Fred.
