Aspyr *was using an outdated mod

[iamashaymin]

IGN Article: https://www.ign.com/articles/eagle-eyed-modders-spot-something-off-with-the-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-trailer-and-asajj-ventress-holds-the-key

Aspyr responded to IGN and confirmed the speculations and theory that Aspyr simply used my content for testing and it was replaced after the trailer’s recording with the official pandemic content.

I want to thank everyone who helped bring attention to the issue since without the support I likely would never have gotten a response from Aspyr.

UPDATE AFTER RELEASE:

So to update this.
Both PS5 and Switch versions released with the mod files. We have datamined and archived the Switch build to confirm it.
Yes, they patched them out quickly, but some users still caught gameplay and experienced the heroes.
Remember what they said though?
'The upcoming release of Star Wars: Battlefront Classic Collection does not include any code or content that is taken from uncredited sources.'
So they just talked ♥♥♥♥, blatantly lied.
Released code and content taken from an uncredited source on 2 platforms.

The PS5 stuff was covered by IGN again:
https://www.ign.com/articles/star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-a-terrible-gut-punch-veteran-modder-says

The Switch stuff was just recently found and footage can be found here:
https://x.com/iamashaymin/status/1769062737236123838?s=20

I started this in good faith. With good intentions.
But I will not tolerate being lied to, pushed aside with a corporate excuse.

I am really torn up over this. The Classic Collection had all the potential in the world to be amazing.

Original post:
Hi,
I am the author of the Xbox DLC Content for PC mod for Battlefront 2.
(https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc)
The trailer for this game shows Asajj wielding 2 lightsabers like Aayla - something I did for my mod a few years ago due to a complication with the animations. Same with Kit Fisto who is clearly using Ki Adi Mundis anims like in my mod.
I fixed this recently so my heroes use the official pandemic animations. Aspyr have not.
There were a couple things I had to create custom like Asajj's lightsabers and Kit Fisto's force bubble that I am expecting to appear. (Asajj's sabers are defo there already, seen in the trailers)

This is not a bad thing, everything I create is property of Lucasfilm however it is disappointing that they are using some old version of a mod rather than try and do it themselves. I don’t know the situation bts.

At least they fixed Kit Fisto by allowing for his tentacles to work right and used the original msh.

I will find out the truth when I data mine this pack.

For a much better and more comprehensive breakdown I suggest reading this Reddit thread here: https://www.reddit.com/r/pcgaming/s/fOTikmLSce
It explains things and presents the evidence in a much more effective and elegant way. ;)

Update:
So for those missing the point entirely; the issue is not that it’s my mod, or that they’ve used a mod or anything like that.
Personally I’m flattered and overjoyed that something I created was even shown in something official Star Wars.
I actually released the source for the mod for this reason to allow anyone to add onto and use it.
The version used in the Classic Collection is found here: https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc/addons/pc-patched-dlc-heroes-modders-only
And the new revised accurate versions are found included within: https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc/addons/06022024-update-source-modders-only

The problem is they are using an incorrect heroes instead of the unique original pandemic heroes.

How do I know it’s my mod used?
I made unique saber hilts for Asajj that were in use in the trailer.

I have reached out to Aspyr about this and am awaiting a response, however the leading theory is that the ports were only in development for a handful of months and they started work on content development first.
Since the official heroes at that time needed game code modifications to work they likely sourced my modded heroes as a substitute until they could be replaced.
It just so happens the promo content was recorded while they were in use - this is backed up by the fact in the Xbox platform trailer specifically you can see Asajj with her unique official anims and saber nunchucks on Bespin (it is also on other trailers but a lot less clear.)

It has come to my attention that Aspyr weren’t responsible for the trailers and used a third party media company however this just confuses things further? Was Bespin on a different build or are they actually using my mod?
Idk, it isn’t normal for them to send out multiple builds for trailer recording so it appears my mod could actually be in use.
No way to be certain until release day.

Please don’t make assumptions that they did this out of laziness.

https://youtu.be/BtuD8o9WlaI?si=rWSdUZOqfNwx5r9d

[SpartanViperz]

if this isn't a red flag, Idk what is.

Feels like this is a money grab with little effort done to 'modernize' it and with Aspyr even taking shortcuts for adding the original dlc content? like what...

[Jor]

Watch this space.

[iamashaymin]

So weird update for you guys.
My feedback ticket sent to Aspyr was updated a few days ago to lock comments and additions to the ticket.
This has happened to other tickets submitted to Aspyr's website by other users who were inquiring about features and mod support.
It should be noted our tickets' status is currently still just 'Logged' and not Closed and I haven't received any email notifications about the status changing or a response in general.

For now imma stay optimistic since this story continues to gain traction throughout the community.

[Shiro]

Originally posted by iamashaymin:

So weird update for you guys.
My feedback ticket sent to Aspyr was updated a few days ago to lock comments and additions to the ticket.
This has happened to other tickets submitted to Aspyr's website by other users who were inquiring about features and mod support.

It's possible that they could just automatically do this to tickets that haven't had any responses in a while, it's still in their system though if it isn't closed.

[valleyy]

watching this space... thanks for the hardwork on making the mod.

[Demonsouls1993]

oh no devs are using mods that states in the EULA that any mod made for the game can be taken for use by the devs who the horror

[Sasha Mason]

Originally posted by Demonsouls1993:

oh no devs are using mods that states in the EULA that any mod made for the game can be taken for use by the devs who the horror

You've not actually read the post then.
The issue isnt that a mod was used, rather that an outdated version of the mod, which does not accurately reflect the content as it was available back in the day.

[Naruhodo]

oh wow omg i see, i had no idea :o, also thank you for making the mod cus i've lvoedusing it for a long while now x3 <3, i lvoe a ton of bf2s unit and map mods :0

[obsu]

Originally posted by Demonsouls1993:

oh no devs are using mods that states in the EULA that any mod made for the game can be taken for use by the devs who the horror

You are a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ ♥♥♥♥♥♥. Learn how to read, you absolute cretin of a person.

[Sex]

Originally posted by schM0ggi:

Thank you for the work and release of your mod for this classic game(s). I love mods, grew up with them for many different games and I have full respect for people making community content in their free time to keep (old) games alive.

But...

Originally posted by iamashaymin:

Hi,
Please don’t make assumptions that they did this out of laziness.
In the meantime I have just updated my mod today with an optional update to support Hero Assault on every map (basically I just made Classic Collection at home) feel free to check it out: https://www.moddb.com/mods/xbox-dlc-content-for-pc

https://youtu.be/BtuD8o9WlaI?si=rWSdUZOqfNwx5r9d

With statements like "basically I just made Classic Collection at home" you lose much of my respect. Not only does it indirectly devalue the work of Aspyr, it's so unnecessary, arrogant and only casts bad light on the modding community. It makes your whole post and "I don't care" attitude unbelievable, picturing you more as a grumpy person because of the assumptions being made Aspyr used or is using your work. It doesn't help the situation either. Sad, I have to read things like that.

\
exactly, op is essentially goin " lol idc if they use the mod. " then goes "NOOOOOOOOO THEYRE USING IT NOOOOOOOO" . so arrogant

[iamashaymin]

News update:
I made gaming news.
Thanks IGN! :D
https://www.ign.com/articles/eagle-eyed-modders-spot-something-off-with-the-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-trailer-and-asajj-ventress-holds-the-key

Since IGN couldn't even get a comment from Aspyr it just looks like they're gonna bury their heads in the sand.
I'm betting my content is long gone anyhow so this will all blow over after release.

[Cannonball]

I don't care. I'll buy.

[Sevyl]

I would really hope that they are using the DLC animations for Ventress and Fisto. I was able to recover all of Ventress' dlc animations and half of Fisto's animations to be usable alongside the rest of the heroes in hero assault for PC (which took a complete rewriting of all the heroes code due to PC memory limitations) in the OSBF2 patch 2 mod.

Shaymin you always been a pillar of the swbf2 modding community and I'm still appreciative of your help with the Ventress model used, I really hope they're not stealing your work, and hope they are able to do hero assault justice and not do worse than us modders. Otherwise they are simply trying to charge 35$ for the same game that came out almost 20 years ago.

[V.A.L. Commorby]

Originally posted by Cannonball:

I don't care. I'll buy.

Consoomer sheep mentality

[iamashaymin]

So to end this saga off,
Aspyr responded to the IGN article. https://www.ign.com/articles/eagle-eyed-modders-spot-something-off-with-the-star-wars-battlefront-classic-collection-trailer-and-asajj-ventress-holds-the-key

As speculated my content was used as a placeholder and ended up in the trailer which was likely recorded in October.

The final release will use Pandemics official original content.

Really wish the industry was simpler and that I didn’t need to make enough of a buzz to get IGN to take notice, but at least now we know that my concerns can be put to rest.