The biggest problem with user mods

[d0ppler]

There are hundreds of fantastic free mods made for DCS. Breathtaking flyable planes and helis, as well as excellent asset packs which breathes life and realism into missions created by mission/campaign designers.

What I would like to see, is that whenever I create a mission with "official" mods involved, this mod should leave a direct download link into the mission file, so when another user loads this mission the first time, DCS should preferably download and install the required mod automatically. At least send the user to the correct download page.

This means that every official mod must be held in the DCS repository (aka User files) to avoid malicious links, since this repository is manually controlled by ED employees.

I think this would've been a great and MUCH smoother way to introduce these fantastic mods to the rest of the community.

Right now, as a mission designer, if I plan to submit it to the community at the User Files section, I try to avoid using any external mods as best as I can to avoid user complications. Which is a shame IMO.

Edited February 20 by d0ppler

[AndyJWest]

Free mods aren't 'official'.

 

[d0ppler]

Jeez, hence the quotes. 

And that's why we need some changes in how DCS handles unofficial mods in user created missions.

[AndyJWest]

Not going to happen. Unofficial mods break paid-for content. Unofficial mods may contain copyright infringements. Unofficial modes are unlicensed, and liable to cause legal difficulties with the aircraft manufacturers etc that ED needs to maintain a good working relationship with. Making them download like that would make ED legally responsible. And result in them getting saturated with bug reports for content over which they have absolutely no control.

There are a few good unofficial mods out there. Nobody should be downloading them without being aware of the potential consequences, and without accepting that any bugs with them installed aren't ED's problem.

 

[VZ_342]

I'd suggest putting in a "Read Me" document in the mission folder, containing a list of all mods needed, with the download address. 

[plott1964]

There is a section in every mission file that states what modules are required. The data in the section can be deleted and the mission will run for everyone. I believe default ED mods (like the A-10C or Flanker) will be substituted.

The line of code looks like this:

["requiredModules"] = {

THE UNOFFICIAL MOD GOES HERE

},