☢️ I forgot to highlight this in my other rant. I don't usually post rants back-to-back like this. -- BAH, I ADDED ANOTHER BIT AT THE END!
MY SPELUNKING INTO MODCO CONTINUES HERE - https://../posts/129028622
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THIS DIDN'T START OFF AS A RANT, BUT IT QUICKLY EVOLVED INTO ONE THE MORE I READ. ALSO, I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS WEBSITE OTHER THAN WHAT'S IN MY FACE.
THAT'S TO SAY, I HAVE NO EVIDENCE THAT THIS WEBSITE IS CROOKED.
IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL NOT CROOKED.
WHO KNOWS, THIS MIGHT BE A GOOD THING. I DOUBT IT, BUT WE'LL SEE. 😹
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Have you noticed that new mod website, modcollective.gg?
A little background would be nice, yeah?
I have none to give.
I literally just learned this thing exists before my previous W.C.I.F. rant.
Mods will be free to players and instead monetized through the services around them, such as exclusive first access, managed download queues, one-click download options, artist donations and the option to customize and personalize mods - tried and tested monetization methods that have been (and still are) highly successful in the life-sim gaming space for some 25 years.
It's yet another premium website with a built-in Early Access model.
You must create a "free" account in order to download anything whether it's Early Access or not.
Managed download queues sounds like The Sims Resource. If there's one thing I despise about The Sims Resource, it's the download queue.
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I've been corrected on this bit, there is apparently more than (60) mods there. I was more focused on finding something substantial about the website than looking through the content. My apologies. Y'all are always welcomed to correct me on anything.
A few creators have already transitioned to using this thing. The Sims 4 currently has SIXTY (60) downloads available, and MOST of them are Early Access, and I assume all of them are "exclusive".
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Then there's this,
We’re helping hobbyists to turn their passion into a full-time career, ensuring there is a robust and plentiful supply of new mods every week - all while ensuring mods are always game-safe and fully functional within the parameters of each game structure.
It sounds like a good thing with the issue of malware lurking around, but how exactly is this being done?
Am I meant to believe that they're testing every single mod?
Also, who are these hobbyists, because that paragraph doesn't sound like it's directed at mod creators. It sounds like it's directed at streamers, influencers, and YouTube content creators.
And this,
Our commercial vision is easing business partners into gaming platforms and 3D space. As VR and AR experiences take off, new ways to commercialize product have evolved, by injecting brands into the realms of 3D environments with personalized avatars, designer spaces, fashion and household brands.
QUE?! Again please, and slowly.
Who are these business partners and what are they injecting where?
And this too,
Our industry vision is providing gaming assets so you don’t have to. Employing talented and skilled artists can be expensive, and often transitory. We can take care of that for you. We have a pool of talented 3D and texturing experts who can take commissions for your game, app or service. Simply contact us to find out more about what we can do for you.
These visions are the triumvirate of our ultimate goal: AI-assisted content generation for developers, gamers and commerce.
First thing - I'm not hard-line against generative A.I., but the way various entities use it is scummy and malicious, and nothing on this "About" page is very reassuring - it's all corpo-bullshit.
Second thing - is this some ploy to rope in creators so all content is exclusively on MOD Collective? It sounds like that's the idea.
The bit that bothers me is the creators who are on Patreon with subscription tiers whose content is now in Early Access on a different website that simmers now need to also pay for to get the thing while it's in Early Access?! Eh?!
Doesn't that sound a bit... not... <TWITCHES NOSE> I smell noms.
Why would anyone subscribe to you on Patreon if they have to subscribe to another service on top of that to get your Early Access content?
Are we transitioning away from Patreon to "triumvirate and ultimate business partn-...
I'm sorry, I use a lot of big words sometimes, but I'm curious, WHO WROTE THIS !@#$?! 😹
It sounds like some borderline NFT-pushing "tech-bro" bullshit.
⋆⋅ I INITIALLY MISSED THIS BIT:
[...] and the option to customize and personalize mods - [...]
How do they intend to do that? Are the original creators doing it?
Is the team of "talented and skilled artists" doing it? Will creators be reimbursed for it?
I know this is a weird one since I just dissected and rebuild TMEX's Expandable BuildBuy Catalog, but there's a significant difference there - I ain't charging you for it, but if I was or if I had paid subscribers, I'd be subscribed to TMEX now as a form of reimbursement even though they had no direct input, because it was their mod.
Regardless of my issues with members of the modding community, or the Sims community in general, or even my issues with EAxis, I want to see the community thrive - in good and healthy ways.
I know, that you know, that I could say anything and it could be a boldface lie or just sheer bullshit, but I'm making those statements anyway, because I am who I am, or at least I try to be.
ANYWAY! NO MORE DISTRACTIONS... EXCEPT NOMS! THEN BACK TO MODDING!
⋆⋅ I NOTICED SOMETHING ELSE WHILE NOMMING:
I asked this above,
Why would anyone subscribe to you on Patreon if they have to subscribe to another service on top of that to get your Early Access content?
Is the idea now that we'll have Early Access on Patreon then have exclusive Early Access on Mod Collective for other stuff that will only ever be exclusively available on Mod Collective?
Y'know... I like being on Patreon, but I understand why a lot of simmers don't like Patreon creators. I wasn't present for it, but I am informed about what occurred with creators doxxing their own paying patrons, and I know that those creators are still active, and I have seen "fake" creator profiles that wholesale steal FREE content and slap it behind perma-paywalls.
This new idea of exclusives locked behind Early Access paywalls on various different websites is kinda shitty.
Everyone wants exposure, including me, that's why I share my stuff around when I have the patience to do so, but this ain't the way. We can make the argument, but this ain't the way.
NO MORE DISTRACTIONS?
NO MORE DISTRACTIONS! UNTIL I NOTICE SOMETHING ELSE...
