Well, do you?

I answered "Rarely". To me it looks like more than 90% of WIPz never get to RELz, so I see little reason to spend much energy on those threads.

Where's the "all of the the above" option?

Let's see:

First option: I do it if the mod is really unique and I see it being one of my favorite mods if it gets released (Integration, vector, fearsome magicka, TRN OotG, etc.)
Second option: Like the third option, but less interesting. (mild interest can't recall names)
Third option: Now that I think about this one is kind of redundant with what I said for option 1, basically the same but I doubt the author would listen to my suggestions, or be able to do them. (can't really say)
fourth option: Maybe if the idea has already been attempted or done a lot already (leveling mods, mods about holy knights, or evil cults, etc.)
fifth option: If it's some unknown working on it all by himself and all he's really got is an idea and the ability to beg others to do everything else... ("Pandora!", overambitious DB type stuff, etc.)

It's there now.

I'm still waiting for the day Waalx comes back to WAC

This sounds like you follow WIP threads occasionally, if it's a really interesting sounding mod, i.e. option 3

I usually like WIP threads and tend to follow them. I also like to occasionally make suggestions or warn the mod maker of problems that might occur.

There just don't seem to be many WIP threads around anymore that interest me. Or at least, I already said all I wanted to say and there haven't been any major updates since. But generally it seems like WIP threads aren't that common anymore. Many mod authors simply wait for the first release (myself included).

unless its something really good, or the modder is well known...i tend to read once and ignore until some real progress has been made.

Yeah sometimes.

WIP are also good for seeing new ideas and getting inspiration.

No harm in "borrowing" someone elses idea :foodndrink:

As long as you return it. Maybe that s why there are so few wips, because people dont want their ideas taken. Just a thought.

I watch wips but dont say much, maybe I should cause if no one posts then the modder will think no one is interested.

Occasionally for me. Only things that peak my interest

I answered 3.. although the longer a mod drags on and on, the less I pay attention, because it starts to look like it's one of those that will likely never see release. Some have been in the works for years, with little to show and even less to talk about anymore. And frankly, hope takes a beating when you see a single modder like Iliana suddenly crop up with a huge WIP that is already playable.
I do sometimes read a few posts in the 'I'm gonna make this mod and its gonna be freakin' awesome and by the way what mod should I make and can anybody tell me what CS stand for' threads, just for a laugh.

Yeah it's a shame more WIP aren't done in parts. So people can get a polished and finished mod that is still only a fraction of a larger mod and can be updated as new parts are finished.

if it's interesting enough, i'll lurk. i like WIP threads with a large team of modders working on a big project together. it's interesting to read the discussion of what they're doing and how they're tackling certain issues

currently following elsweyrs kingdom of rimmen thread and onras heightmaps. these are good examples of what i mentioned, cept onra is working alone

Is there a reason why there isn't a "I just pop into those that are active or look vaporware-ish and enumerate as many planned features as ethically possible, as technically impossible to implement." ?

:mellow:

I'm one of those odd ducks that voted 'Yes!'

Obviously I can't follow the progress on all of the mods that I would like to, but I follow as many as I can and post encouragement and suggestions when I feel the compulsion.


This is exactly my own methodology.

[Soapbox]: Not directed at anyone posting here, just venting from years of observing these threads on the forum.

I have always found the attitude toward large/total conversion mods to be very curious in this community: people dismiss them immediately, tell the aspiring modders that their work will never be completed and that their goals are impossible, and then bemoan the 'tide of vaporware' that continually assaults them. This is what we call a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'. It is little wonder that these mods disappear so quickly with the intense negativity that surrounds them.

There is, in fact, no technical reason why most of these mods couldn't be completed, there is simply little or no support for many of them. (Whether or not the idea appeals to a large enough group of people is another matter.) You can't in good conscience blame the current state of affairs entirely on noobs touting 'vaporware'. There is an equal amount of complicity from other modders. The fact of the matter is that it doesn't make sense for a modder to continue work on a mod if no one expresses any interest in it or if the responses are outright hostile; if someone comes up with an idea and everyone shoots them down, it is logical and practical to turn one's attention elsewhere.

Unfortunately, this gives the impression that the modder has merely 'conjured up' some vaporware; but it is not entirely accurate and truthful. What has happened is that the modder has equated a lack of support with a lack of interest and chosen to pursue more practical ends. In the modder's eyes, their work would be wasted, even if it was completed, therefore, there is little incentive for the modder to work on it. Dropping an unpopular mod idea doesn't show a lack of dedication, but a realization of what the modder is truly up against. In most (but not all) of these cases of 'vaporware', the naysayers have simply gotten their way and convinced the modder not to continue working on the mod. And then had the good grace to accuse the modder of lacking dedication!

When it comes right down to it, if you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all. (Unless it is a friendly attempt to enlighten a prospective modder on a current engine limitation which may impact their mod concept.) Posting a 'this is never going to be completed' reply in such a thread is just inconsiderate and needlessly discourages people.

Conversely, if you are interested in a mod concept, then say so! Supply the modder with a little encouragement to let them know that the thousands of hours they are willing to invest in a project won't be wasted. Fewer negative replies and more positive replies will result in...more completed mods! It's that simple. A single encouraging reply to a WIP thread could supply a modder with weeks of additional energy and enthusiasm. A complete lack of expressed interest and pessimistic replies are almost certainly guaranteed to kill it. I'm sure many mods have been abandoned over the years simply because the modder has interpreted poor responses to WIP threads to an utter lack of interest in the mod when such interest may actually exist among a number of silent mod users.

This is not to say that real dedication isn't necessary to complete these kinds of mods, and that the modder does not bear responsibility for whether or not a concept comes to fruition, but idle spectators heckling from the sidelines should not be absolved of their own responsibility in promoting a sterile environment for total conversions in what could be argued as the single best development environment for creating exactly these kinds of mods.

Obviously, this subject is close to my heart because I am a TC modder myself with hundreds (thousands?) of hours already invested in my own project. I am no noob, and I am not lacking dedication, and I daresay theKarithian (creator of the Mesogea mod) has invested many times over the amount I have put into my own project and has done simply amazing work for what is essentially a one man team.

In my opinion, you have no right to complain about 'vaporware' until you have actually given someone a chance. Negative Nancy's are not welcome in these threads!
[/soapbox]

That felt good! And if you actually read that whole thing, give me a wink. That's dedication!

I check out the WIP threads that I see. The ones that show promise or interest me, I'll check up on, but only as they appear in the recent forum. I'm never the one to search out an old thread and bump it to ask for a progress report.

On the other hand, barring the overambitious total conversion pipe dream threads, I don't just lurk. I post an encouragement here and there. Occassionally suggestions, but usually only if they're asking.

gothemasticator

I spend quite a bit of time lurking in WiP threads that I'm interested in and that have shown progress (Cliffworm's Oblivifall is a good example).

I chose Occasionally, I will follow mods that sound interesting things I would actually like to play. I like to give genuine support and not cheer on things I don't genuinely care about. :goodjob:

I posted rarely.
From personal experiance, most WIPz don't last, and so I don't see why I take the effort in following them...often though I do pop in on a WIP just to see if it's intresting enough to follow (and that I can tell it will be finished).
Absolutely new WIPz on mods that literally just started, I will not follow...but, if they release the WIPz on a mod that has been in the shop for awhile now, and the progress being made is good, and lastly, if it sounds intresting, then sure I'll follow it. I believe I am following 1 WIPz right now...can't remember what though, ha ha ha (It's in my "subscribed topics" list)

I stopped releasing WIPz myself for a few reasons:

• I'm not popular enough for the masses to come (to me that isn't a big deal, but a reason nonetheless)
  
• My mods are nothing that exists too far outside the box, so why tell people of something not so innovative?
  
• Often times I am very good at loosing interest in a project (meaning I stop working on the mod) and esspecially when you don't have a team to help, my interest plummets.

if you cared enough this is the WIPz topic I am watching. It has a beta RELz but I don't want to play a beta, I want to play the real thing.

http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1078181-mesogea-thread-v-back-to-work-then/

and this is why I don't make WIp threads for most of my work here. Use your own damn imagination thanks. :facepalm: There certainly is harm in swiping the hard work of another because you're too lazy to come up with your own.

/soapbox

I'm a lurker on WIPz. Even if some of them don't get released, it's also fun to see the project develop, see new 3D meshes being built, looking at videos, etc.
To other modders, I'm watching your WIPz... in the dark corner of the lurkers.. :ninja:

Rarely.

Mostly I just don't like being teased (...well like that anyway).

I notice most are "I've found something I really don't like and I need help making it better." And it ends up being something that doesn't really bother me.

The the large overhaul/landscape projects have neat essays and concept art - can't actually play those things in the game though.

I guess for me is that different people have different avenues for generating creativity. Some thrive on feedback and interchange of ideas and some need to isolate and then suddenly a great thing is there. I think however that too much hype - too much talk ... can end up talking the energy right out of a project. I'm the second type of person and really when I'm being creative (which is not what I do here) I need to be alone with the thing and make it my own vision. Because of that seeing WIP threads - my gut says - they lack ideas already or they need support - probably won't happen.

But there is exceptions to every rule - if the WIP truly is a multi-modder project and there really is work being done then I'd raise my vote up to 'occasionally I'd check it out.'

These are just my subjective thoughts though - no need to take seriously.

I voted "Rarely, as I'm more interested in what is,etc." If I do post in a WIP thread, it is generally to encourage the modder's efforts in a project I think is cool, and no more, unless I am actually friendly with the modder and feel at liberty to offer suggestions in an unguarded manner. Even then, I'm far more likely to offer those via PM.

Plus, I dislike thinking of mods as "products" capable of being enhanced by soliciting "feedback" from the peanut gallery. It feels "commercial"- that's a feeling I dislike. That, and I honestly do not care what other potential users of the mod think - the modder's original idea is all that interests me, and watching it develop too much spoils the surprise for me.

There are already so many great mods, and I'd like to spend it appreciating the hard work that is already being shared.


*two cents added*