http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/gta-misterix-2

Just found this.
Is this legit? Asking money to release a mod?
I'm just curious, because this is the first time I've seen such a thing.
You know, some guys released Black Mesa Source for free, so...XD

People have crowdfunded stupider things.

At least this is a pretty interesting mod that's already available for free, this guy just wants to improve it.

Yes, but he can do that?
I mean, there can be copyrights issues, it's not an indie game.

I think so, it doesn't look like he actually intends to sell the mod when it's done, just fund it. Hell if I know about the technicality of it.

Is SimonG still around?

Yes they can.

He is not allowed to sell the mod in the end, but there is nothing stopping him asking people for money to support its making. Copyright issues only kicks in when the mod is being distributed.

Crowdfunding is not the same as pre-order or buying, it is closer to patronage and support of artists, so there are no copyright issues with the actual crowdfunding process (unless they make use copyrighted materials in the drive). If he wanted to sell the finished mod, then it would be a different matter. But as far as I can see, the mod is in the end free.

I think that the question was more on the likes of
"Is he allowed to make money for a mod of a game he has no licence from the legitimate holder?"

Technically, the answer would be no, but since the mod itself will be released for free (the money is for the beta test preview and various fluff, or so it seems...) than is not that different from the usual "donate if you like" and so should be legit.

Having said that, the pitch seems a bit weak... on what exactly will be the money spent, save for compensating his time on the project?!

I thought mods were mostly done in peoples free time - freely given to make something for their chosen game. Not sure why someone would want or need $$$ to get this type of thing done

Note that it's a "Flexible Funding campaign" - he'll get the money regardless of whether it reaches the arbitrary goal of 3000€ or not.

I suppose it's not much different to a donation button in a forum mod thread, just more centralized and with some incentives. I see nothing wrong about that. Still not sure whether it's totally fine legally, though.

It's not too hard to see why someone would do it. I sometimes make and edit videos of things that interest me, usually for comedy to share a laugh with friends. Sometimes I crop peoples faces into stupid pictures too. I made a few videos for free for friends that they wanted to play at an event, like a wedding reception.

Then, a bunch of people wanted me to make videos for them after seeing them at said event because they had no idea how and no inclination to do it themselves. Or they wanted me to capture twenty old 8mm family tapes they had to my computer and then burn them to discs for their backup copies so they could put them on their own computer and make their own videos. I would be polite in telling them no or put it off until they forget about it but in my mind I'm thinking "Screw that! They have no idea what kind of time that takes." Then, a few would offer to pay and I would say, "Okay, if you don't want to do it, I can be your beast of burden, but it will cost you. This is what I need to do it for you." I'm not going to do it unless it's worth my time, and my time is worth a lot to me. Some would agree, some not, and if they didn't, that's fine with me. They can do it themselves if they don't like it. It's a free market and I would rather not have that kind of job that cheap anyway.

So, I can see why someone would do this. I just wouldn't go out looking for someone to pay for making a video that I already wanted to make myself though. edit: Although, by going the crowdfunding route, people are able to say if they want this mod or not. There's nothing binding though. I would prefer if it was similar to hiring an independent contractor.

I certainly think the line between "funding a free and therefore okay project" and "profiting off a mod by earning living expenses" is a serious gray line.

Why the fuck does it matter? I never understand this issue people have with people making money. Do people feel the same about an independent mechanic working his ass off? Or a clothes tailor? Some people want to put copyright on clothes. Does that mean a tailor should not be able to profit?

Because those are jobs. Modding is generally free, done by people for the love of a game. Modder also doesnt own the rights to the game they are modding....

No,
he is using the trademarked name GTA.
He can make mods no problem. But asking for money using the name of the game without permission
from the company who holds the rights is asking for trouble.

So we need someone to classify it as a job and then it's ok? Who classifies it? The state? Can't do anything without the state's permission?

I know mechanics that started out working on their own vehicles just because they loved doing it and they were good at it. They would sometimes do a favor for a friend too. Then, a bunch of other people got word that they were good mechanics and started asking them to work on their vehicles. Boom, they start their own shop with tools and experience they've been acquiring over a long period of time. Some do it on the side, some full time.

What does that matter? Why is it ok if they do it for free but not if someone wants to pay a modder to use their expertise to make/improve a mod. They're the ones putting in the time and doing the work. It's being unfair to the worker.

I'm not attacking you either nijuu. I just don't understand this general mindset. I've done a lot of research on the subject and find the abstract thinking behind it pretty awful.

He's not making a profit out of it, is he ?