The History of the SDTM Mods

[nc]Slngshot]

Foreword:There are a lot of people claiming to have been the creators of the SDTM mods. This thread will tell the story of how the mods came to be, and who was responsible for them. Enjoy the history lesson!!

But keep in mind, the framework for the mods can be expanded upon...yet keeping the original spirit in the mod.

The SDTM mods were originally created by a Halo fanatic who goes by the name of Skelito. Skelito played Halo a bit now and then when he wasn't out doing his thing in real life. (I won't go into detail about what he does or what he is doing now, as it is not relevant to the story). Early in 2005, somewhere around February/March, Skelito had an accident that left him with serious injuries, that needed a long time to heal and allow him to get back out into life and do what he does. This left him sitting around feeling sore and sorry for himself, but most of all he got really bored. Being a bit of a computer buff, he decided to look a t this game he had, called Halo. After playing in few online servers with really strange and often bad mods, he thought "I can do better". The next thing you know, Skelito found out what programs he needed and began working on a mod that he thought would be fun to use. Because a lot of mods need downloading and installing to be able to use it, he decided to make a mod that was playable without the download. So after making a few modifications he opened up a dedicated server called "Snipers Dream Team Mod 0.1" This is where I stumbled into the picture. I was looking for a sniper based server to mess around in and have fun, when I saw this SDTM server running and decided to take a peek. I found out that this server was fun, and I wanted to be part of it. So far, Skelito had only made a slightly stronger, less pimped version of the sniper rifle, and had slightly increased the blast effect of the plasma nades (or Smurl balls as Skel referred to them). After the 2nd or third time the server was run, Hood, Caffeine, Cutter, Griffin, Myself, Vort and a few others had all met skel and each other and were asked to test the first version of the mod. Skel introduced a few extra "Hidden" portals, that we trialled for a week before making known to the public. Not far into this testing players were beginning to crowd the servers, making it nearly impossible to enter the server. Not to mention the people who were playing wanted to know about what mods were running and how they worked. Caffiene came up with the idea of makinga forum dedicated to the SDTM mod, and giving the players a chance to get together in a Community type setting. Skel was not really concerned about the forum idea at first, instead found himself thinking...Hmm..these smurf Balls need a bigger blast area....., and told Caffiene that if he wanted a forum...go make it. Thus the original SDTM Forum came to exist. Shortly after creating the forum, Caffiene handed the admin role to Skel as a present. Caffiene not long after that had a falling out with the SDTM community and left the scene. With this forum up and running people who wanted to know about the mod, and who wanted to download the mod files so they could see the explosions that skel was talking about, could get the information they desired. The forum also became an important place to gather information about how the mod ran on peoples computers, and gave Skel a wider range of people to test the mod. Skel also introduced a few visual improvements, big explosion graphics, a skin pack etc... these were made available for download in the SDTM forum. At this stage Skel asked me if I thought that there should be a person or two who "policed" the server, and maintained a certain standard of interaction. I realized that this was a great idea, and I was handed the rcon password to Skels server, with a very strict set of instructions to follow. I soon began "policing" the server on a regular basis. After a month of this, Skel asked me to become the second Admin of the SDTM forum and become his right hand man. Skel and I recruited Cutter, Griffin and later nc]Fart was recruited to become server Rcon staff. We were not to reveal ourselves as rcon holders, and were to follow the same strict code I was asked to follow in the beginning. At this stage, Skel had tweaked, improved and mastered his mods, and began adding these mods to more and more maps. People began downloading these mods and hosting their own servers, but were asked to use "Snipers Dream team <insert name of host>" to show which servers were using the mods. By the time the mods were a year and a half old, Skelito had perfected them and had a huge following. Skel once told me how amazed he was that what he did out of boredom became something that anyone playing Halo was raving about. Anyhow, Skels injuries had now healed and was able to get back into his usual life routines, and decided to gracefully leave the scene. On November the 4th 2007, 2 years after the mod was born, Skelito left the Halo community. We closed the SDTM forum and made it read only, so people could still visit and reminisce about the great times that were had. The much talked about Hidden Staffroom was left out of the public eye, but still exists and has us original staff posting now and then ;D

So I hope this was informative and solves a few mysteries as to the origins of the SDTM mods. Skel is the father of these awesome mods, and other people have taken the reins and carried on his work.

[§§}Church]

I remember playing on skelitos server back when he was first creating the mod. I am sure he would get many many thanks from not just those of us in the spartan snipers, but from all those who play on his modded maps. Thank you for posting this, I learned a few tidbits from it.

[[CC]#shiNe! aka LeCrae]

Always wondered about this. I have heard of Skel before. This is pretty awesome. And i do wonder what happend to him after he "retired".

[nc]Slngshot]

After Skelito "Retired" he went back to doing what he did before he was catapulted into super stardom. (I'm not allowed to reveal what it was/is...out of professional courtesy).

My last contact with him was in June this year. We try to keep in touch as often as we can. He is doing well and is amazed that his mods are still so popular!

[§§}Compdude]

Wow, Slngshot's back!

Great history writeup. I am supposed to be writing a clan history page which will have a mod history note in it as well.

We pretty much started out as an SDTM clan, and we found all the modding tools and starting to expand on the mod (for good or bad). The beauty of SDTM is that it has an excellent platform for more mods without actually being a DIFFERENT mod. Like the SDTM9 maps (well, 4 aren't finished yet), got a few extra weapon perks and a ghost of mass destruction. But in the end, it is still SDTM.

[nc]Slngshot]

A word of advice Compdude.....you can't really call it SDTM9 mods....Skelito did not create mods past SDTMmod8.

We have to protect the original mods, so please can you come up with an alternative name for your mods. Possible alternative:

SDTM Mod8 [ §§} mod]


Or something of the like. Calling your updated version of the mod SDTM9 would simply be dishonoring Skelito and the work he did.


Sorry to be forthright here, but as one of the 5 original Beta testers and the only person Skelito trusted enough to run his server and forum..I gotta make sure the original mod is protected and the newer versions are named something more appropriate.

[§§}Animal]

The good ol' days. I had just started playing the mod a little while before the forums came out, and his first site of the mod which lead to the forums. You left out the part where Skelito got his own clan...Skelito's Army or SA, as I seem to remember he wasn't fond of the idea...His promo-video for the mod was also pretty cool, SDTM Promo Video, unfortunately they removed the sound and this seems to be the only remaining one I can find Used to have good dialogue and the song it played in the background was Headstrong by Trapt, can watch it with the song in another tab/window and your only missing the dialogue. ;D I would like to agree with Slngshot on a different name for your guys' version of the mod, because SDTM was a pretty big thing for Halo History and respecting the original would be cool, sorta like not adding another face/head to Mount Rushmore.

[nc]Slngshot]

You left out the part where Skelito got his own clan...Skelito's Army or SA, as I seem to remember he wasn't fond of the idea...

Actually, Skelito never had a clan at all. Never even joined done.

That idea was thrown around by a few eager members of Skels forum, not long after it was created. These members originally believed that there was a Skel's army clan, or an SDTM clan, and that being part of the Snipers Dream Team Forum made them a clan member.

The Skel's army clan idea never really took off, as no-one wanted to be in that clan if Skel himself was not a big part of it.


Your memory is pretty good Whø, care to reveal to me who I know you as? ;D

[§§}Compdude]

Jul 27, 2009 4:39:20 GMT -8 nc]Slngshot said:

A word of advice Compdude.....you can't really call it SDTM9 mods....Skelito did not create mods past SDTMmod8.

We have to protect the original mods, so please can you come up with an alternative name for your mods. Possible alternative:

SDTM Mod8 [ §§} mod]


Or something of the like. Calling your updated version of the mod SDTM9 would simply be dishonoring Skelito and the work he did.


Sorry to be forthright here, but as one of the 5 original Beta testers and the only person Skelito trusted enough to run his server and forum..I gotta make sure the original mod is protected and the newer versions are named something more appropriate.

Well I'm sorry to disappoint ya'll but Skel did leave the mods to the community to do with as they wished. He did not copyright the name, mods, or any such stuff. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion he'd get a kick out of people taking his mods farther. I don't rename SDTM8 because that's what it is, but you mod it, you can call it whatever you want.

So you see, I do protect the original mods, by not changing their name, but to tell me I can't use a progressive name on the mods I MAKE is absurd. I will add the extra head to mount rushmore, but it will be Skels head, cause he did start the SDTM mod. Even with him gone, my mods are what they are because Skel started them...so please don't think you can tell me that I can't keep the name. It IS a different mod.

And the fact that you use the term "Trusted Enough" in your post makes me dislike your attitude already. You aren't special, kid, maybe in the right spot at the right time, but acting like Skel didn't trust anyone else isn't going to get you far around here.

[nc]Slngshot]

Firstly, you did not make the original SDTM mod.......So you really should follow Skels own advice on this situation (Listed Below)

Secondly, I say "Trusted" based on the fact that I was the only person he allowed complete and total access to his server and forum. I was the only person he trusted enough to be the person to recruit each new RCON holder in his server.

This trust was not gained by being in the right place at the right time, it was gained through hours of personal conversations and through my actions in his server.....



Skelito's own words

First things first! I don't have a problem with anyone making changes to the mods. These are your maps and can do whatever you want to them. But here's the problem, the server name.

Those who come into a Snipers Dream Team servers, have a specific map to play. If things get changed, stuff like portals and other stuff start acting weird. If you mod something that doesn't quite work out, new players might have a bad experience. Uhm, like spawn killing portals.

So, it is only fair to those that have downloaded these mods, to indicate in the server name thats its modified. Maybe some of the member can give suggestion on this.

Modified Snipers Dream Team {name}

Just remember, I only give "Server Host" status to those who support the original mods. Only hosts that are running the original maps should use the Snipers Dream Team name! Modding these maps means you should host your own creations, and is only fair to the players.

Okay, here is the problem I'm having with modding the mods. People come here and download the maps. They go into a SDT server and things get screwed up because of portals and other changes.

The name Snipers Dream Team is suppose to represent the mods that are in the download section of this forum. Server Hosts like Bestyanks and Bordr knew this. They did make custom gametypes to their liking, which was AWESOME! It gave players different options on the same mod.

Hey, by all means mod away! Just indicate in your server name that your maps are different then what players have downloaded here.

Modded SDT Mods {yourname} would be a good example. Then come here and advertise and even put the mod up for download.

Quotes taken from here: skelito.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=server&action=display&thread=1675

[§§}Compdude]

And my SDTM8 maps are SDTM8 maps. I don't have "confused downloads" in the server name. SDTM9 is SDTM9, not SDTM8 with different-than-stock mods.

There is no SDTM8 map running that is not Skelito's SDTM8.

And the Server Host quote is bollocks, I support the SDTM8 maps and I host my own, so that quote has no place here.

[nc]Slngshot]

SDTM9 indicates :

Snipers Dream Team Mod version 9......

It indicates that it is a Skelito created mod, which it isnt.


Hosting your own mods....call them your own name instead of cashing in on the popularity of the SDTM originals!

[§§}Church]

Skelito doesnt own the copyright or trademark on the term Sniper Dream Team Mod. Also, the mods we host on our servers are continuations of the mods he made, not new mods, so calling them something new wouldnt make sense. we have clearly labeled that these are not SDTM8, that they are an updated version.

[nc]Slngshot]

you all are not reading Skelito's comments are you.... go to the link I provided and read more....

Skelito suggests the Modded version of his mods are to be renamed so players do not get confused with the names. IE, logging into a SDTM server only to find different mods than what SDTM represents!


The only "Updated" versions of the SDTM mods are those made by Skelito himself....

The SDTM9 mods are the SS version of the SDTM mods...not a continuation, but a modification of his mods....

Therefore SDTM9 is not a Skelito created mod and should not be listed as SDTM.
Paying tribute to the original mods is fine as long as Skelito's wishes are followed.....


Skel stated:

Hey, by all means mod away! Just indicate in your server name that your maps are different then what players have downloaded here.

Modded SDT Mods {yourname} would be a good example

[§§}Compdude]

Sorry, but I won't change the name. End of story.

I might consider it if you got Skel himself on here, but other than that, the answer is NO.

[seamonkeys]

I have been around this for a very very long time. I have watched things play out for quite literally 2 and a half years. There is a fine line between doing whatever you please, and disrespecting someone while doing it. Not once has a single §§} clan server host disrespected Skelito's mods. Infact, there has been notification of the original mods on this site since the beginning of the clan. Most of the members know who Skelito was or is, and know the mods well enough to play with some of us veteran SDTM'ers and join "above average" and "committed to excellence" clans like this one. To say its not right to list the mods as we wish is unfair to the fact that Halo, and Gamespy have total freedom in how you name your servers. Skelito should be proud to know that there are clans STILL carrying his mods today, almost a year after the original site and forum went out of commission. The fact that the server names reflect a version 8 or version 9, or version 10 doesn't make a difference except the fact that the core of the mod originated from Skelito's mods. I myself host a server that carries an "original" V8 SDTM mod of Bloodgulch.

Its not fair to come on here after nearly a year and tell someone they can't do something they have been doing for over a year. It is also unfair to think that a clan that based itself around the SDTM mods would disrespect the original author of the mod in a way like that.

[§§}Associus]

Read your own most recent quote sling shot. He said "a good example" not a rule. You may notice that our server names have SS and a number at the end of the, this would indicate that it is not one of Skelitos servers and the increased number count indicates that it is a mod from a previous mod namely SDTM8.

I think you are getting hung up on specific semantics of what Skelito posted and are overlooking that he said it was an example (I.E. suggestion)

Please see my PM I sent you about this for further information.

Thanks,

[nc]Fart]

It is Skelito's Mod just modded, SDTM is just so you know were it came from.

[nc]Slngshot]

By running a mod called SDTM9, which you "created".........or updated as you said, you are telling the world that you are the creator of the SDTM mod and you have updated your old version 8.


You did not create the mod, nor did you have any part in the development of the mod. If anyone has the right to stand up and explain that you can't use the SDTM9 ( as your mod name...) I am one of the people who has the right to defend Skels work.

I was there from day 1, and helped to test and develop the mod into what it is today. I (along with about 5 others) were there every step of the way, testing every aspect of the mods. Being one of the people that helped develop the mod, it is my duty to stand up and make sure the mod is continued to be respected and represented in the way it was originally created.


By all means mod the SDTM mod, just do not indicate to the world that your mod is an original SDTM mod. It is not, it is a hybrid, and a new version of the original.


Now let me put it this way.....if I changed my name for example to §§}Compdude2 , and went around telling everyone that I was a new improved "you"....wouldn't you go around telling people that I was an imposter?


Of course you would.



Skelito requested that modded versions of his mods were welcomed, but if people did this, to not use the SDTM(number) format. Instead indicate that the mods were not genuine SDTM, but modded versions, hence the suggestion of possible names ie:

Modded SDT Mods {yourname} would be a good example

Your "translation" of his wishes are not to dissimilar to the thousands of ways people translate a handshake, or a bible reading...you are twisting his words to suit yourself. It is clear that you do not really care too much about the wishes of the mods CREATOR, and that you will do as you like, when you like. Not really being respectful of Skelito's creations, but more like exposing your backside to them in an act of defiance.


In reply to Saleen, I would have visited here earlier, but I had no idea about the SS clan modding the SDTM mods, let alone passing off a modified version of an SDTM mod as an updated original. Only a few months back, did I hear that this had happened.


Bottom line, the only person that has the right to call the mod SDTM9, is the creator of the SDTM mods himself. All other versions have to be labeled according to what Skelito asked for.

[§§}Compdude]

Kinda sucks that he ain't here no more. I'm not changing the name, and only Skelito can tell me otherwise. On HIS FORUM. (which you locked)

Skel's not here. Skel's not even in Halo any more. His servers aren't here. And bottom line is, I don't care what you feel about my using the name. Nobody has had an issue for 2 years now...kinda shows your level of activity in Halo too.

You killed off your own SDTM community, in fact, it was in tatters (HD being the only really alive clan) when I came around in cs]. I believe you forfeited any say in the matter the day you locked the Skelito forums and ran everyone off.

You seem to be trying to push me into Ownership of SDTM, it ain't like that, buddy. WE ARE THE SUPPORT SITE for SDTM...in the absence of the Skel forums, we have become the place to get the mod stuff. Maybe not all of it, but what we have collected or made. At this point, you could say we "own" it. But we don't. SDTM is a community mod...no one can claim ownership of it...with the possibility of Skelito, although I doubt he would do that. We can call the mods anything we like as long as we maintain the SDTM spirit.

Where many other SDTM clans have fallen, we are standing...and you come here to tell us we can't be here? I dare you...