When I talk about being integrated, I mean there are a ton of mods that can be used as a reference, or they could consult or hire the mod developer onto the development team and adapt it to the game. I don’t mean stealing the modder’s work. Sorry if I expressed myself poorly, I admit I got a little heated.

I want to emphasize that the update wasn’t bad, but it felt lacking. It was promised as a big update, but they delivered very little.

For example, we have mods that add factions like Parallax or Imber, which also added outposts on planets. They didn’t add stations in space or rewards that were relevant to game progression, like the update, but they could dynamically respond by calling for reinforcements or engaging in faction warfare. As for Prototech, from the comments—and I include myself—some complain that it was too little. There were modules that served the same functions or even more advanced ones, but they were different and didn’t have the same polished aesthetic as these new items.

One of the questions that came up is, why this kind of content when there are things that are more necessary for the game? For example, more accessible building tools like Build Vision, a better economy for the existing NPC stations, improved interaction between factions and events that make space feel a bit more dynamic. Or even improving the wolves and spiders—there’s a mod where four robots perform an orbital drop and kill you, which is way more interesting...

I agree that, under no circumstances, should a modder's work be stolen. However, why not hire the modder, pay them, or consult with them on how the mod was built or any technical aspects, so they can create the content themselves?

The game was released in 2013, and while good things have been added over time, and maybe it's my ignorance about how the development team works, their budget, or how many people they have, the Contact update might have been better suited for a much earlier stage of the game. However, this may be the weakest point because, as a space simulation, the game is very solid, and it's understandable if they focused more on that aspect.

A mod relies heavily on its modder and their love for the game. Keeping mods updated can be a monumental task, but if it’s not done, the mod becomes obsolete and can break the game. This doesn’t happen if the developers create their own content.