The International Simutrans Forum

PakSets and Customization => Pak128.Britain => Topic started by: Moe Ron on January 19, 2013, 02:08:33 AM

Title: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: Moe Ron on January 19, 2013, 02:08:33 AM
I've been playing Simutrans for a good 4.5 years now and the UK pak since June and I really must wonder about this place. You people devote time to designing vehicles, you design vehicles from a diverse selection of companies over large periods of time, and you tend to be extremely accurate in vehicle specifications. Why? Why do it well for free? What is your drive to collectively help the game after HJ abandoned it years ago?
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: ӔO on January 19, 2013, 02:23:22 AM
It's because there's a mountain and I need to climb it?
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: Combuijs on January 19, 2013, 11:58:40 AM
QuoteWhy? Why do it well for free?

Why ask money when you are having fun? (Provided you have a decent living in the first place of course)... It's also nice to see other people having fun with what you create.

Having said that, I did not do anything for pak128.Brittain, but they really are doing a great job. It is a very nice pak.
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: greenling on January 19, 2013, 12:27:58 PM
Hello Mister E
The Simutrans game it a hobbyprojekt. And there can everone make with, they understand who make pakfiles.
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: wlindley on January 19, 2013, 12:37:30 PM
Free software is like Science. Some of us get paid to work on it. Some of us do it, in hopes of making money later. Some of us do it just for fun. 

The more you give, the more you get. 
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: jamespetts on January 19, 2013, 02:00:27 PM
It's a hobby. We do it for the same reason as people spend hours making intricate model railways - there's a sense of achievement in making something beautiful, intricate and real.
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: kierongreen on January 19, 2013, 03:08:01 PM
As jamespetts says, it's a hobby. I remembered playing Transport Tycoon when I was younger - in 2005 I was looking for a similar game that would run on Linux, and found Simutrans. I enjoyed playing it, but thought that there could be a version based around British vehicles, and that more features could be added to the program itself. It was only natural to make my work freely available, I've benefited from being able to play a great game, other people should be able to benefit from anything I add to that.
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: The Hood on January 19, 2013, 03:36:32 PM
As kierongreen and jamespetts say, but I'd also add to that wanting a level of detail that you never get with the games you buy off the shelf so I guess you have to do it yourself!
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: jamespetts on January 19, 2013, 06:03:38 PM
Quote from: The Hood on January 19, 2013, 03:36:32 PM
As kierongreen and jamespetts say, but I'd also add to that wanting a level of detail that you never get with the games you buy off the shelf so I guess you have to do it yourself!

Yes, that's important for me, too.
Title: Re: A question for the developers/community of pak128Britain
Post by: Sarlock on January 20, 2013, 08:00:34 PM
To each their own hobbies... for me it's about being part of a large group all working toward building a wonderful game.  Some of the greatest achievements of mankind have been done on a volunteer non-profit basis.  Wikipedia is a great example.  Why do people spend millions of hours of their spare time to change, update, add to Wikipedia?  Because they like to do it.  It makes them feel a sense of accomplishment.

Many studies have been done about the motivations of people.  Humans are social creatures.  While working for pay has its purposes in sustaining our basic needs, we are far more motivated by a sense of purpose and belonging to a community.  You'd have to pay a lot of money to motivate someone to the same level that they receive when their peers give them credit for a job well done.

So why work for free on a video game, put up with the stress of bugs, complaints, self-imposed deadlines, etc?  Because the end product gives an immense sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.  Knowing you were a part of that is all the reward you need :)