Where do we go from here?

Well, here we are and a few days have passed since I made my "statement" where I did promise to clarify the situation on the state of my current available downloads and I can confirm that they will not be removed and this comes down to two reasons that I won't disclose!

That brings us to the title of the blog post and indeed, where do we go from here?

Since I made the original post, I have received a lot of support from around the community from both sides of the argument, from guys who I am in regular contact with that understand what I stand for and similarly, from guys that don't always see eye to eye with me yet know that the mutual respect is there.

Over on the UKTS forums, debate has still raged in the very thread that may contain the post which got me banned (I still don't know, nobody will answer emails from me or others that received a holiday) and even Matt made a slip of the tongue on releasing a new set of rules stating the presence of "fanboys". However, he has since clarified what he meant which is fair enough. It must be stated though, that after those rules were in place, discussion still proceeded about the people who were banned, with reference to these new rules. You guys do know these rules were put in place 5 days after the actual "holidays" were given out, pretty hard for anyone to adhere to something that doesn't exist at the time. That said, the rules pretty much cover what was in place already, people should know when they overstep the line, but this needs to cover both sides of the coin.

I think the main gripe from those that were banned is the lack of information forthcoming from those who enforced the ban. My ban referenced rule 3 "despite moderator warnings" but where were those warnings? Do I have to trawl back through threads to find generic warnings that aren't directed specifically to me but have to assume that they are directed at me? I am then given an email address to contact the Board Administrator for more information, saying to me that this is a sure fire way to find the reasons why, however, on trying to contact via this email address, you find it doesn't work and bounces back! This is where the channels of communication do let the site down.

As many will probably know, the amount of time I devote to content creation on the Railworks (2) platform must mean I enjoy doing it and don't wish to give it up that easily. I have always strived to provide as much free content as I can provide within the time I have, whether that be a route, scenario or small scenery object, it all matters to me and gives me great satisfaction to see others using what I create. Whether that content pleases everyone is a matter of personal preference so there are probably equally as many users who don't appreciate my work as it doesn't cover what they require.

Because I have managed to create and release this content, does that put me in the "fanboy" section? I am sure many would like to think so but it really isn't like that at all. I get as frustrated as anyone, possibly even more so as I arguably spend as much, if not more time on the program as anybody else! However, I tend to refrain from posting such ills on any forum and prefer to take the correct channels to report the issues I find. If this means anyone can look through my previous posts and see nothing but happiness and an attempt to put those right who take pride in posting untruths, so be it.

So what now then?

As you will gather from above, I do not want to give up simulation completely as I do enjoy it. However, after repeatedly telling people on various forums that ask about creating content to do it for themselves first and foremost, I have realised that I wasn't even doing that myself! I'll give you an example.

Look at the progress I was making on Cresston V4. I was taking requests for areas to build, I was having object ideas fired at me left right and centre and I was agreeing to everything! I then announced I would make two versions, one that would continue the past formula of requiring little or no external assets and not have a payware requirement. This would help newer users or those who don't download payware to be able to use the route trouble free. I would then create what I called a "deluxe" version which would have a payware requirement, with the route completely gutted from one end to the other, using the available payware assets. That meant I had diverted so far away from my own advice to people that I was prepared to give up vast amounts of time to do what I thought was right for the community. That is what has now changed.

I don't want to give up something like Cresston V4, I have pre-planned it extensively and there are now 60-70 custom assets included with many more to come as the route develops into the final stages. Why should I give up something like that because certain small minded individuals feel the need to hide behind a computer and send me hurtful emails or make remarks about my family that they have never set eyes on? The answer is, I shouldn't, if its something I enjoy, I will continue enjoying it.

So there it is guys, I want to continue creating content but from now on, it comes on my terms only. If I create Cresston V4 and it requires you to have WCML in order for it to run, so be it, thats the way the cookie crumbles. If I create a scenario, I won't think twice about adding another payware requirement because if I feel it makes the scenario more realistic, that is how I will have it. A lot of other creators do exactly the same thing already and make some really enjoyable content, the only choice to make from the end user is whether they want it or not.

Happy simming.