"Hacked" DLC - the New Plan (comments please)
FYI: the Item Tool editing tools and the "New Plan" have been discontinued.
For a number of reasons, item editing tools and the process are too complicated to use, discuss and share their results.
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OLD CONTENT:
Background:
As you may know I released 3 test DLC items into the community. Thanks for those WiiBrew users that helped give/sell them. It spread like a virus (lower case "v").
The community is concerned that Hacked DLC may screw up their games. The community is safe right now. We can keep it safe if we work together.
It takes time and effort to create new items, even longer if you want them to be *good* items.
The New Plan: (a proposal)
Anyone interested in making new items will use a set of Windows tools to edit the 3D models, textures etc. They can test them on a Wii by using USB Gecko (for fast turn around). They can not release them as "DLC".
Details on these tools are TBD (they are in a primitive form now, so don't expect them for a few weeks)
When the person/team creating the new item is done, they post it here (or somewhere on the web) in test form, including screenshots showing off their work. The AC:CF community (people here and on the non-Wiibrew boards) get to vote for the best. The 'winner' is turned into a DLC.
The item is cleaned up as necessary, translated to other languages and packaged as a "DLC".
For greatest impact, say at most every couple of weeks, the new DLC is released to the world. Credit for the new item goes to the person/team creating them.
As shown with the LightSabres, even items that are not-catalogable can quickly spread when AC:CF players think they are cool. We now have a process and a network for major giveaways/sales.
(smaller release strategies are possible to keep certain items rare for a longer time)
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Q&A:
Q: Why so slow? I want to create 100s of new items now!
A: There are many reasons why going slow is a good thing.
- It takes time to write tools to do the graphic item editing. Most of these are 3D and the current version is too lame.
- Everything works best if we don't release a lot of items at once. We have approximately 250 remaining slots and we have to share them with Nintendo. You can have overlaps, but it raises some issues.
- We should focus on fewer, higher quality cool items. Hacked DLC should never be as lame as the 'top'.
- As we learn more, the items will become better and better.
- We can see and learn from what Nintendo does (eg: will they ever release DLC outside of Japan?)
- Keeps the game alive (potentially for years). Keeps AC:CF hacking in the spotlight (hopefully in a good way)
- Shares the credit. When released worldwide, the person/team creating the item gets all the credit.
Q: Every two weeks?
A: That's just a guess. The time period will depend on the number of good items that are created (ie. very few at the start). At say 4 DLCs per month, we can milk this for years.
Q: Why vote?
A: It brings more people into the decision process. That way people receiving the DLC in the regular community won't complain (as much ;-). Also I don't want to decide the priorities.
Q: A Vote? What about the runner up?
A: The vote is an easy way to release a few really good items at a time. It also lets the person/team who created it to have their "15 minutes of fame". The runner up gets the spotlight next time.
Q: Why can't I do everything myself?
A: There are technical reason for centralizing the release process. That's one of the things scaring the regular community. Also for good quality items, you should translate the item names, clean up the graphics etc. There are other people here who can help on this.
Q: Why let regular users (non-hackers) vote?
A: Why not? They are the ones salivating over the prospect of new DLCs and not waiting for Nintendo. Also they won't complain (as much) when they are part of the process. Also they come up with some pretty good ideas some times.
Q: What if Nintendo blocks Hacked DLC?
A: We'll deal with that if and when it happens. If people follow the "New Plan" then we shouldn't be in conflict with Nintendo DLC.
Q: What if an 'evil hacker' breaks the system?
A: We'll deal with that if and when it happens (hopefully later rather than sooner). Hopefully most smart hackers don't like breaking things (ie. are good hackers). By working with fellow 'good hackers' they can get mondo-credit world-wide for their creations (see Credit section of the plan). Or put another way:
DLC is very powerful - please don't screw it up.
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Thanks for reading this far.
(comments please, comments on the plan, especially the USB Gecko part)
(please no suggestions for new items)
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I suggested having people vote each month on the best item created, and the winner's item is turned into DLC.
I mean I'm really really happy for getting a real job but wish I had time too to be on this team.
