Anet releasing an "official" texmod?

This is a thread inspired by the "how many users use texmod" thread, although its not really on the same topic, so please refrain from actually saying whether or not you use texmod if you think its bad blah blah blah. What I have noticed to be a general consent is that almost an equal amount of GW players use tex mods as those that don't, and a group about a quarter the size of both of those don't even know what it is. So what are some of the problems floating around with texmod? Many people still are skeptical whether or not it may result in having their account banned, many people are unsure of a proper source to obtain texmod with out putting their PC at risk, and largely many people are just intimidated by the large learning curve with texmod. So here is my question to the community, do you think it would help the popularity of Texmod if Anet released an official version of the program? By this I mean a texmod likewise to the current one, but developed by Anet programmers. Including a downloadable link at the website and a step by step guide of instructions on how to use it.

idk...maybe,maybe not.
but the step by step bit may be useful^^

A poll conducted on a population of less than 5%, with probably less than 1% of entire GW population participating.

In other words, 326 forum members have voted.

Which shows just how many more people don't use texmod.

Anet are not gonna release their own texmod, considering how many people use it and how many people have computers which dont run Dx 9 ( me... ) it would be a waste of time. Besides, if you ask Anet about the idea, you would get the auto Response of " No... Busy making GW2"...

Yeah, so just keep using Texmod, it seems easy enough to use for me, even if my PC wont let it work....

Orrrrr they could just incorporate the "mod" into the game... They have that power you know...

They wont do it - "they are working on GW2"

They should let poeple make skins, that would be a start!

I do not know anything about Texmodding. I do not know how to install one. I would prefer if ANet simply said - ok, lots of players use this and so it is appropriate to addapt it to the game. But that being understood, it should be an option of play rather than imposed - something that can be turned on and off. I don't just mean for the GMC either.

And yes, the fact that it might result in my account being hacked is a major reason for not opening the door. If the current mods being used were donated to ANet for use, or given an acceptable compensation as appropriate, then it seems to me ANet could simply review, modify with whatever defenses are appropriate, and implement already existing code. But they could easily make their own I am sure.

And a part of it is - if it comes from ANet then it is not a games violation. Further, ANet could release an additional modification Pack for $4.99 or $9.99. Even a mod pack that would allow you to design your own weapon and armor skins (another $9.99 or even $29.99 - I would pay that if it was truly user friendly.)

Yeah...cause 95% of the GW population doesn't read the site, the update notes, and forums.

If Anet released an official TexMod dealie, you'd get a bit of the forum users...thats it.

If anything they would provide in-game support of mods. Choose a mod to use when you log in, boo bam.

I wouldn't place any faith in that poll as far as number of Texmod users. I can verify at least 4000 Texmod users, based on the number of downloads of the Cartography Made Easy mod.

Err ive download it about 4-5 times due to me deleting it and needing it on another PC

I really doubt it.

Something else, if ANet provided mods officially (as in for sale) it would be completely different on exposure - because of the company store. Word of moouth mods - when almost none of us (if any) actually see the entire player base cannot equal official status.

Usually I disagree with people who say you can't conduct research on these forums and get good results.

Its called sampling, a time honored way of doing polling. I think in today's world an internet forum does represent a decent sample pool of a given population. It is not a truly random sample, but it is not as pre-biased as people suspect. Even given that respondents self-select themselves into the poll. Even as few as a few hundred people can give you good results of the trends in the larger population.

However...

When if comes to a specialized customization of the game who's principle locus of distribution is this very forum, and one which is almost entirely communicated about here and nowhere else, I think any poll of it done here is going to have too much bias to be reliable.

Well, give it a little break I mean the poll has only been up for 1 full day. And Arcady, thank you for saying what I was about to. I do think the numbers are interesting to see how many have used it though, I'm more curious to see how many respond in the affirmative rather then who's using it and who's not.

I'm actually surprised that Anet doesn't care about a mod to modify in game graphics. In WoW, that is one of the few types of mods that running can cause you to suffer a permanent account ban. On the other hand, over there graphics mods can have in game effects by changing some items into things that be run through, over, or under - allowing people to exploit terrain. However, at least one of the graphics mods people use is a sort of 'nudity patch' - it has no effect on the game, but it is still a permanent bannable offense to use it.

What might be nice is to get a scripting language in GW:2, akin to what WoW has, for making UI mods.

ANet's position is that they have no position.

Don't count on it.

What people are missing big time: If Anet released this, it would be part of the game itself - not a third-party mod.

What I'm trying to wrap my head around is why people are saying it won't happen, when all I'm asking is if they'd like it to happen or not...

There's already a download link on the official wiki, and a step-by-step guide to how to use the program.

Why would they need to write their own?

I always liked the simplicity of the Quake games, when it comes to loading changed textures. Basically you put the pictures into a specific sub directory or you zip it and throw it into the game's directory and it will get loaded.

Anet could incorporate a loader for textmod's .tpl files and thus removing the "risk" of running a 3rd party program. Some of the current mods like the 50% health markers or the spirit range on the compass are very useful, but starting textmod only for those every time is too cumbersome.