What a horrible rule. If you're too lazy to make a table from scratch, then be what you are, a player. Anyone who might want to contact me can save their time and energy, because the answer will always be NO.
To be honest, I don't mind folks using scripting from any of my tables, BUT as for the images, I have actually taken pictures and redrawn actual playfields from images that are just downright horrible. The scripting I could careless about but as for the images - NO. It doesn't take much to learn how to draw. A little patience goes a long way and ALL the playfields I have redrawn have been done using MS Paint and GIMP on PCLinuxOS 2010. After about a good year I could draw quite well but nothing like Grizz man over at VPF.
A great scenario is Hi-Lo by Northwestern. Now, I found an image at IPDB and it showed the entire PF, BUT it was so bad that it could not be used in VP properly. I redrew the entire PF by hand, did a little cutting a pasting and voila! It came out right. I even did all three labels by hand in MS Paint. That table alone took me 6 months to clean up, redraw and place it in to VP6. No easy chore. Another great example is Hit The Goal by Hercules Novelty. I did the same thing; took at least 3 to 4 months to finish but it looked just about right. I did ALL THIS WORK because I enjoyed it and felt that perhaps some folks out there might enjoy what I created in VP. Contact, 1939 by Exhibit Supply took me a YEAR to finish.
As for modding, I think it's a good idea BUT most authors KNOW what a table plays like and how. The only issue I have with this are flippered tables which I do VERY FEW of since they are a pain in the ass to begin with.
As for flipperless machines, I've played at least 200 different ones and KNOW how they play.
Also if you've noticed I've unlocked ALL of my past VP tables. Why? I feel folks can learn from the scripting and use it. As for the images, that is where I draw the line. If you read ANY of the scripts from my tables, I say that modding is fine AS LONG AS YOU KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. I have NO ISSUES with this. Mod to your hearts content - that's why I unlocked them but KEEP THEM TO YOURSELF.
As for authors that have not been seen since the stoneage, I can only assume they must be reachable. I have no say in this matter actually but I would do my best to find some info around PN and VPF and ask around BEFORE I uploaded modded work that an author did in the past. It's only respectable isn't it? I live by a simple rule (about 85% of all people don't) and that is "if you want respect, EARN IT. If I want respect, I'LL EARN IT." I will admit, it works BOTH WAYS. IR Pinball is another GREAT place to locate past VP authors.
Thank you.
Will
AKA druadic
PS: I unlocked all my past VP6 tables because I just grew tired of locking them and it was a bit childish, but now everyone has full reign of checking out the scripts as well as the images. This is a GREAT way to learn how to use VP and it's the first step to find some new authors. But if you're going to be an author do what they do - find your resources (images, sounds) and MAKE A TABLE or MACHINE by gathering what you need then redraw what you know needs to be cleaned up. Add your sounds, do your scripting. Little by little it will become your OWN masterpiece. If you're going to be a "modder" have fun but RESPECT THE AUTHORS. If you're going to be a player, by all means enjoy yourself.
This topic has been around since the beginning of Visual Pinball, but personally if an author has created something that has taken time out of his life to play right and look right, why not LEARN to become an author? In all actuality it's a LOT MORE FUN that being a modder.
I've said my piece. Take it as you will, but being respectable not to just the authors but the community in a whole will make everything much better. :)
