[nearmiss]

Uploading campaigns with the required skins is a must IMO, although I always edit every mission to change the skins to my liking, so I usually don't really need the ones the author included.

As for the rest, campaign downloads sizes would increase dramatically if campaign builders using Mod planes on mod maps started to include them in their zips. Many campaign makers already censor themselves in that they try to stick to popular mods or addons included in the UI, trying not to use too many different mods to keep things simple.
Most modded campaigns will only require a few planes and a map, which are included in the UI most of the time. If links to these mods are provided in the readme, how hard can it be to download and install a couple of files ?

Cheers

Nico

VonBarb - you are correct I should not have mentioned that MODS should be included in archive file.

The problem you have with separate downloads is as I mentioned. Many developers just don't keep up with their files. Often they have links to free sites and other web addresses that may not be accessible a month later.

It is best not to require skins or other stuff if you don't plan to include in the archived file. Do not require MODS that are not included in an exisiting mod pack.

If you don't include them in the archive then don't push the user to a bunch of other download sites to acquire files.
I downloaded a recent released campaign ( I won't name) several skin files are not available several weeks after the release; the developer links don't work.
It just wasn't worth the hassle so I just deleted the campaign file.
I should also mention... many users can handle a one step package, but when they have to start making individual placement of files they lose track of what they are doing, some get lost and others get frustrated and quit.
Users just experience too many issues when they start poking around to fix something they didn't create, and sure don't know how it all fits.

It's NOT necessary to include mods or maps in archives. The Installer pack that includes those mods needs to be mentioned in the readme.

It is very important to have a good readme. There are so many mods being released campaign devs must pay attention to their campaign files and making sure they are updated frequently.
Campaign or mission developer should explain carefully in the readme, just what version of IL2 the file applies and which mod pack and version applies.
Anyone putting up a campaign or mission on this site should expect a mod pack to be already installed.

Do not require any mod in a campaign or mission that is not part of an already exisitng mod pack release. In other words no individual MODS

There are plenty of sites that will host large file sizes. Mission4today will host up to 120MB, which should handle any campaign if you don't include a lot of video tracks in the archive. M4today has been hosting files for this community for many years and the chances of your file being available to users are very good.

edited by vonbarb : what's with the big orange fonts ?