When the alpha goes live, we'll need sections for modders to tell each other how to ---hack the game--- mod.
I pretty sure that if you don't want to waste your time, you will need to wait until you get a stable relase...
Server won't be released before games done. So you only can modify UI and some visuals like textures/models. So there is no reason to create subsection at moment, one topic here will be enough.
Yet Neutrino has mentioned on multiple occasions that they will be working with modders, in particular during pre-release phases. Mike
They want to, but there not much modifications could be done on client-side, you know. I don't see any reason why we need more subsections, it's only increase entropy on forums. At the moment we there is two (public and backers-only) subsections and there is lots of duplicated topics and identical questions. I think forums will be much more useful if Backers Lounge will only contain special topics. One more section won't make forum better.
I get the feeling you don't quite know as much as you think you do in regards to modding. While it is true all mod-related capabilities will not be present until later, there is still plenty of learning and foot work that can be done in the mean time. Modders might not be able to host modded servers*, but much of the game's assets are part of the client, things like 3D Models, animations, textures and as you noted, all the UI code are part of the client and while maybe Uber won't have much time to spend with modders at first it's not to say we can't figure things out. *Over time that could change of course, it's even plausible that Uber could work closely with specific modders and provide things like a special server instance they can use to test mods with privately, Neutrino keeps saying that they see Modding as a "First Class Citizen" when it comes to PA/the engine behind it. The problem with the Backers Lounge isn't that it has the same purpose as General Discussion, it's that Backers are using it the same way as the General Discussion. You go back in the Live Streams to when the Backers Lounge was created(That would be [urlhttp://forums.uberent.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=724380#p724380]the Jan 10th[/url] Live Stream) you'll get a better idea what they originally intended. A Modding Specific Sub Forum wouldn't have the same issue(s), it'd have a clear purpose and would stand apart by the specific topics it's meant to harbor. Check some of the older threads we've had on the topic of a Modding Specific Subforum(s). Mike
Yeah, it's problem I talking about. Probably Backers Lounge should get some moderator from the community who can move part of topics to General Discussion. I personally prefer if there will be some Wiki, for me as a programmer it's usually best way to get information. It's was really hard to find some specific information on GPG forums. Probably I haven't got so much modding experience like you, but I manage pretty big forum myself. And usually it's hard to make community work like it's designed to. It's really hard to use forums for collecting/structuring information. Uber already doing tons of community-related activity, but I when alpha released they will more important stuff in their list. If somebody from community will manage this subsection it should be fine. Just don't wanna see one more chaotic place.
I am sure when enough modding related threads crop up they will create one probably with wip and completed subsections.
It would be nice to have a way to collaborate. My guess is initial documentation will be sparse (hooray if it is not, though). Even if the modding is client-side only, there are lots of possibilities, including changing the interface to handle OFCE. How that works out will be fascinating, since the primary challenge is the interface, not the technicalities. Furthermore, given that client-side scripting utilises JavaScript and the DOM, there should be plenty of people with substantial experience. Out of curiosity, do we know if PrototypeJS or jQuery will be included out of the box?
What? When was that announced? Last I heard was that they hadn't released any details of what scripting language would be used. Edit: Oh wait, nevermind, I re-read your post a few more times and it looks like you might have meant just for the UI.
I support this. I've been looking to start up a collaborative project with other modders but I want to wait until Alpha starts until we release the info on it.
Well, even on alpha stage, just an idea how game resources packed, what formats for modeles/meches/textures used e.t.c. would boost modding a lot on a release date. That's basically what happened to skyrim priror to release of construction set and papyrus compiler.