(07-04-2015, 06:46 AM)GamingPhailer Wrote: I wasn't here for a while. Does this CC0 thing mean, that anybody can do anything with this pack? Like REALLY ANYTHING?
If so, why did you do that? Would be interesting to know why you want/need to take this step. On first glance, it doesn't make sense to me. On the other hand, I maybe just don't understand it, because it's fricking HOT here. 30+ degrees Celsius PLUS I live directly under the roof X_X
My reasoning is deep, but yes. Anything. As in modify, redistribute, spin off, use in other packs, put on websites, whatever the imagination can bring forth. All of the most prominent contributors (whose textures collectively make up at least 80-85% of textures in this pack), as well as myself, agreed on this route because this pack has always had an open nature to it, and believe this has contributed to its growth. Just take a look at that lengthy contributors list. The one I couldn't contact who I really wanted to was Alekzanderk because a lot of his textures are still here (majority of the arts/buffs), but he hasn't been around in years. All the votes I did get were either "keep it open nature" or "I really don't care".
Without restrictions, the hopes is it will be shared and modified forever. I don't think any of us has contributed for popularity, to be remembered, for money, or to create a protected work and say "we did this, its ours, and you are limited to how you can use it". We did it to make Xenoblade look nice, for the love of a project/hobby, in the hopes others will find it and enjoy it however they want. Through my time on this, we were always modifying each others works or even replacing them if someone can make something "look better" than it currently does. Never has anyone cared if their textures were modified if it was for the greater good (and if they did, they at least never spoke up, and I've never seen any backlash).
This pack is close to "done" in my eyes, and I don't plan on maintaining it forever. I never really expected to take it over to begin with. I just wanted to make some maps (which led to so many other things ). The reasons I did was because I was due for a project at the time, there was such a large amount of activity that it started to bring this pack to a whole new level, poweredbykimchi didn't have the time for it anymore, and I could see the potential of what it could become with all the talented/dedicated people contributing their efforts. I don't plan on quitting anytime soon, although this pack has already far exceeded my initial expectations and goals. And I think others like it. In just MediaFire alone (not counting other hosts), in the span of 1 year, packs v4.5-v6.3, there has been over 31k downloads of just the core packs.
I don't know of anyone who would want to be yet another "successor" when I stop. Now anyone can be, without needing any permissions. If anyone wants to create an "alternate" pack nothing can stop them. If they make a better pack than this one or vice versa, then in the end its still the same pack under the same license so works can be edited/merged. If they re-license, then they have their own little spin off that they can maintain all to themselves. And if it's better than this, then it can be the "official" pack instead of this one (if you want to call it that). If someone makes a bad pack, then people will download the good pack. If I die tomorrow, someone else can start uploading and modifying packs without worrying if I'll ever return to give the OK. If someone can make money off it, guess we should have thought of it first.
As long as I keep posting packs on this board, the goal that was set since before my time remains the same: keep it close to the original game, with the highest possible level of quality. My hopes is that future maintainers will do the same, even exceed it. If I ever do stop compiling packs, I will announce when that day comes.