Modding Tools for Joint Operations

Dear Novalogic,

We have recently received news that you have abandoned any effort of release public modding tools for your popular online game; Joint Operations.

We feel that this is indeed an unwise move and would greatly appreciate that chance to give the dedicated Joint Operations community a gaming experience worth living for.

It is no secret that people will play a good game. It is also no secret that a good game company that offers tools to improve the diversity and gameplay of their games, prospers. You do not have to look too far back in gaming history to pick out a few key examples of games that have thrived because of modifications. These games have/will spawn eagerly awaited and extremely popular sequels.

Here's a small list:

HalfLife
Unreal Tournament
Quake3
Operation Flashpoint
Ghost Recon
Battlefield 1942
Medal of Honor
Command and Conquer: Generals

How is Joint Operations going to compete with these classic titles, let alone the new titles being released later this year and even early next year (i.e. HalfLife 2, Quake4, Ghost Recon 2, Operation Flashpoint 2 and even Battlefield 2)?

And how is Joint Operations going to live up to the claim 'The Battlefield Beater' when it can't even compete with the variety of mods and the gamers they bring in?

To top it of, we have had people quoting that they will not purchase your up-coming expansion pack, Escalation, if mod support is not given. They believe it to be 'too dumbed down' and will only make a purchase if certain mods that are being developed for Typhoon Rising reaches Escalation. By eliminating mods you are not just limiting the games product life, you are also limiting its selling capabilities.

We know we've made this seem one sided and only outlined the pitfalls and benefits for you. The Joint Operations community as a whole want modifications. Enough said. A game developer that encourages modifications also guarantees themselves future sales and interest.

All we want to do, on behalf of both the JO modding and gaming community, is bring a better experience to our fellow gamers and have fun in the process.

As for cheaters, well, that's simply no reason to deny the majority of gamers a great experience. There will always be cheaters, denying the gaming community modding tools is not the way to control them. Enforcing stricter Punkbuster rules is. A registration system that only allows PB authorised mods to play is a much better approach. And we guarantee that if you ask any gamer who plays Joint Operations what they would prefer out of 'No Cheaters' or 'Playing mods' they'd choose mods all the time.

Thank you for your time and patience