i would kill to be able to build a titan and dd a system

Do you plan to get permission from CCP Games first?

Eh, the guys at CCP are nice, but they're not as laid-back as google. I don't think they'll mind, enless you start selling the models and everything. Titans should be avoided at all costs because of their sheer awesomeness and ultimate uselessness (Motherships and dreads would be much more efficient).



Although, I do recall when the source code was first leaked,,,

Just the same, you should be aware that even if you do all the art from scratch, it's still a "derivative work" and you can be squished like a bug if the company that owns the property notices and decides to take action. At that point, Stardock and its allied companies would likely need to slap the mod down to keep them safe from legal retaliation.

For safety's sake, none of the many mods derivative of TV shows, movies or books should be approved for placement in Stardock's mod libraries, no matter how cool and well-intentioned they are.

Gnord CCP is very protective, your mod DIES. This is also discounting various technical issues that have been discussed to death, search eve online. I was a proponent once.

you do not need permission from most companies to make a mod. a mod in itself is basically a HUGE FREE AD. i believe the star wars mod doesn't have permission, because it doesn't really need it.

I've tried to educate people about basic misconceptions like this one, but the power of wishful thinking is just too overwhelming to make a dent in it.

10 Big Myths about copyright explained

As long as no profits are being made, then there is no problem with it. Besides, CCP is getting sued by Lucas Arts for a possible copyright infringment.

I specifically asked to use information that can be found in evemon, and icon images that are obtainable from screenshots.

I promised not to use any files directly from the game, and I intend to keep that promise.

Still, I'm a programmer, not a graphics artist. I wouldn't mind some help.

Ste's right on two points. I don't think authorization to use names is authorization to use similar or exact-looking models or gameplay mechanics. Prior permission also means very little.

Second, he is correct in the resources statement as well. Look at how many IP mods there are right now. I will bet you 1000 internets that no more than one or two of them are going to end up being released. And if they do, more than likely they're going to be exactly the same as Sins gameplay with new names and mediocre models.

The truth of the matter is seeing "HEY GUYS WHAT ABOUT A *insert extreme-niche IP here* MOD" is getting tiresome, and even the major IP mods are likely not going to succeed. I have hopes for the SW mod and ST mod (as Evilejedi and Major Stress are well-experienced in this regard), but do I think the "90 pages of niche story discussion that won't matter when someone sits down and looks at what gameplay changes are possible" Halo mod or some of the other smaller projects are going to get off the ground? Those with talent need to stick together and get stuff done, and those with simple ideas need to be told that there are thousands of franchises out there. The community needs to figure out whether they want a bunch of dead mods or a few ones that proceed to release.

If you can find a modeler and a scripter, at _least_, I would proceed carefully with this project. If not, it's best not to waste the effort. The legal issues do not evaporate with that e-mail.

well it has a reason ppl suggest such things for mods. Those franchises are simply successfull ie ppl like them so why not have em in a game like Sins.
Personaly for example id also really like to see an EVE mod.

Anyways i think its better to copy something with good quality than to make something new with bad quality and creating your own "franchise" is not really an easy task.
Sins Mods like "Dawn of Victory" or "The Last Stand" are a rare exception, at least for now, cause a lot of ambitious projects who want to do all from scratch sadly die in the end or never get finished (and THIS does take its toll on the modding community).
So using existing franchises might limit a modder somehow but at least there is a real chance for the mod being finished.
There is nothing worse than building up expectations around a mod just to see it being abbonded.
I know its free work but modders have imo also some sort of responsibility for their mod.

By all means, having team members is useful in most cases, especially if you haven't got all the required skills or the time necessary to do it all yourself. Personally I prefer to work alone as that gives me the greatest possible degree of control in how the mod will look. As I am basically inventing everything myself, this is preferrable to having to explain every little minute detail to a team.

Though, when it comes to "burning out", that happens to teams as well. Whether you are going solo or as a team, perseverence and dedication to finishing what you started is crucial. As LinkesAuge said, nobody is paying us but that doesn't mean we don't have a sort of responsibility to the gamers waiting for our mod.

And when it comes to "can't sell it" clause, it does not mean making a unique, interesting and entertaining mod is a waste of time and effort. It is both an excersize and a chance to show the gaming community (and in the case your mod is really that good, the gaming industry) what you've got!