this post was submitted on 23 Jan 2026
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I'm asking from a place of curiosity, not a place of judgement. Have you ever created anything? A piece of art, poem or prose, a film, a program, etc?
I am an artist who is VERY anti-IP law. The system as it exists is evil and does far more harm than good. IP is not some holy grail that deserves protection when it can be so easily abused. I would rather have no IP law than the current system, but I'll settle for reforms.
Makes me think of all the day care places with Disney characters painted outside the walls…
I agree with this.
That said, the prohibition of paid mods should be a cultural matter, not a legal one. It shouldn't be illegal, but we as a gaming community should refuse to engage with them as poor practice
Evil is a really strong word that I'm not sure I can get behind here.
It's part of an overall system that protects the Haves from the Have-Nots. I consider it evil.
I will extend the same question to you.
I mostly write but have wanted to make a game for a while.
I think that's the easy bit. For me at least.
Any sort of artwork is expensive to commission though. And if you're born without a shred of artistic talent in your entire being, you ain't doing it yourself.
So I've got some very broad strokes vision of a game I want to build and I haven't expanded on it further because I know I can't afford to make it.
If I do decide to make it, I'd have to hire someone to do 3D modelling* at the very least. I don't see a world where that's feasible without copyright, because then I'd just be paying someone's salary (or commissions) and be out of pocket for it.
* No, don't worry, I'm not thinking of yet another photorealistic-ish looking 3D game. More like something in the style of the 3D Zelda games or like some of the (MMO)RPGs of the 00s.
No, I'd like to do that myself. Mostly need the time and sufficient motivation. Most of my time is eaten up GMing multiple ttrpgs a week right now.
So, what if I wrote a book and got it published, but it didn't sell well. Some big company copies it, puts a lot of effort in promoting it and it becomes a bestseller. I don't get any of the money for it, but they cite me as the original author. How is that fair?
So how is that fair then?
yes
Do you mind sharing what it was/is?
I have no idea what your question is getting at. I am a published artist but I pay my bills with unrelated W-2 work
I said from the get go that I was asking from a place of curiosity not judgement. I wasn't "getting at" anything. It interests me to know what your stance is and how it might be informed. Congrats on being published, that's pretty cool.
if I could sustain myself with art by charging a few bucks like the mod developer in this article is doing, then I would
I think that's probably most artists' dream!
In sim racing, Assetto Corsa has tons of paid mods, and simultaneously its developer is one of very few profitable companies. How come Kunos aren't bankrupt from paid mods existing?
What does that have anything to do with my comment?