Time to Organise!!!
It seems that Microsoft, not content with the money they already make, Have turned their attention to the mod community.
MS has sent a 'cease and desist' order to starfyre studios, declared that modding is 'clearly illegal' and has also stated that anyone that runs a server that uses mods is engaging in 'illegal activity'. This does not only affect FL:The Next Generation, but all mods and server operators of modded servers as well.
This is puzzling since as is evident Freelancer was released in an unfinished state and has limited gameplay. Micosoft should have addressed this issue and fixed the substandard game that WE the consumers have purchased. Their course of action clearly shows how little MS cares about those who purchase their product. By targeting modders who earn NOTHING from their efforts in enhancing the gaming experience MS shows their only concern is protecting their intelectual property rights from any threats; Real or imagined.
The only reason I still play FL is due the they passion and hard work on those who have enriched and extended the replay factor of this game. I am enraged by the action that MS and will NEVER again buy a product released by MS Gaming Studios and furthermore encourage everyone to join this boycott as well.
As consumers we must not sit by and let MS do this without consequence. I urge all FL players to write MS and let them know of your displeasure. Do not use any profanity but clearly state your dissatisfaction with this course of action. It would also be useful to use Vave and Half-Life as an example of Modding as a beneficial exercise. The threat of a boycott is also a powerfull weapon.
I have found that contacting anyone at MS is a difficult excercise at best but I have obtained one contact. He may not necessarily be the right person but in your e-mails ask him to pass your mail on to the right person. If anyone is able to get get a better contact then please post it here.
*I deleted the email addresses, because that´s highly inappropriate*
I will be posting this on every Freelancer related web site. I again urge everyone to do what you can.
Edited by - Eraser on 06-10-2003 10:24:29
MS has sent a 'cease and desist' order to starfyre studios, declared that modding is 'clearly illegal' and has also stated that anyone that runs a server that uses mods is engaging in 'illegal activity'. This does not only affect FL:The Next Generation, but all mods and server operators of modded servers as well.
This is puzzling since as is evident Freelancer was released in an unfinished state and has limited gameplay. Micosoft should have addressed this issue and fixed the substandard game that WE the consumers have purchased. Their course of action clearly shows how little MS cares about those who purchase their product. By targeting modders who earn NOTHING from their efforts in enhancing the gaming experience MS shows their only concern is protecting their intelectual property rights from any threats; Real or imagined.
The only reason I still play FL is due the they passion and hard work on those who have enriched and extended the replay factor of this game. I am enraged by the action that MS and will NEVER again buy a product released by MS Gaming Studios and furthermore encourage everyone to join this boycott as well.
As consumers we must not sit by and let MS do this without consequence. I urge all FL players to write MS and let them know of your displeasure. Do not use any profanity but clearly state your dissatisfaction with this course of action. It would also be useful to use Vave and Half-Life as an example of Modding as a beneficial exercise. The threat of a boycott is also a powerfull weapon.
I have found that contacting anyone at MS is a difficult excercise at best but I have obtained one contact. He may not necessarily be the right person but in your e-mails ask him to pass your mail on to the right person. If anyone is able to get get a better contact then please post it here.
*I deleted the email addresses, because that´s highly inappropriate*
I will be posting this on every Freelancer related web site. I again urge everyone to do what you can.
Edited by - Eraser on 06-10-2003 10:24:29