i recently reinstalled VO a little ago on a new box, and just then I realized the HUGE difference that a good plugins collection can make to gameplay. Plugins like MissionTree, targetless, turbolock, TA and many others really delivers a much better VO experience.

And it is a too important codebase to be "ignored" by Guild Software.

> > > Integrate Plugins into VO main codebase. < < <

It should be implemented 'outside' of game, into the updater. Then it does not impact the main codebase.

Then GS should host the plugin development. Think of mixing PCC with GoogleCode or Sourceforge. Approved PCCers are able to create a topic for its plugin, upload and update it online. It can be integrated with forum tool, with a simple ("upload|rename|delete")file UI. OR a simple button with "Upload latest version" is enough.

On the updater, simply add 2 buttons on main interface: ((ADD) (Manage) plugins). Self-explanatory, Add lists the community-approved plugins. Manage includes delete/(en|dis)able.

Then a very simple development cycle must be implemented. Plugin (or update) is proposed to PCC members, and once it receives N positive evaluations it is released to community. OR GS manual approval.

Complete with a big scary warning that plugins usage is not garanteed and may cause horrible things and everybody gets a better VO, while GS extends to embrace its supporting community.

There could be "official" plugins, approved by devs and available for download from official website. Or simply pre-moderated page with plugin and skin packs.

If he devs like it, and they have time, it will be done.