Some of you may have noticed we don't have a downloads database...
or a high number of release topics. We do, however, have hidden subforums for private mods releases.
Right now they are only accessible for the following member groups:
Colonials
Veterans
Purple Hearts
Sentinels
Paladin
Overseer

For more information on each, read this topic:
https://www.gunetwork.org/t6-member-groups

Why don't we allow access to Established, Survivors or Initiates?
Or to Members with 0 posts or to Guests? WHYYY!?!?
I'll let dragbody explain it for me:

dragbody wrote:

There are a few reasons. Let me explain...

1. We want to protect the mod authors from dishonest users. Bandwidth leeching is not an issue anymore; however, mod leaking is.

2.  The VGU has always been about the community and friendship. Anonymous users soaking up our mods and never saying thanks or sharing a screenshot of the mods in action aren't who we want to be part of a community with.

3. We also need to protect the CONTENT of the mods. It's no secret that our mods frequently use ported content. As a result, there is a need to ensure our members are responsible people who will respect the fact that even the modders don't really "own" the mods. Thus the approval process is our way of screening users to help us share the mods in a controlled manner.

I think this pretty well sums it up. We want everyone to get approval so we can all maximize our Fallout/Elder Scrolls fun! But it's up to the individual users to determine if that happens.

Now, to gain access to mods our talented modders release
you'll have to be admitted to one of the groups I've mentioned before.

Your best and safest bet is to go for Colonials
To become a Colonial, you'll have to earn our TRUST and RESPECT
Convince us you're a decent community member. Socialize with the modders whose mods you want.
To start off, you may attempt to:
1. Make a consistent amount of non-spam posts:
- a consistent introduction could make up for 5 posts
(allowing people to get to know and understand you)
- posting 5 screenshots of your own of various settings
(not 5 screens of the same thing from different angles)
in one post may count for another 5 posts
2. Be a decent human being, without a history of leaking other ppl's mods without permission and without acting like a prick
3. Be mindful of the Rules & Guidelines about how this forum functions.

Some of you are already Veterans and know very well what that means. For those of you who just registered, Veterans are members of the Old VGUnetwork who have been very active and valuable there, who we remember very well and who have stuck with us through thick and thin. They're literally Veterans, we have a long history together and they should be regarded as OG
If you believe you deserve the rank of Veteran, apply to the group and we'll take it in consideration.
Possible outcomes to that:
1. most of us are gonna say "Oh right! I know him/her! He/she used to post a lot and was a nice guy/gal!"
in which case you're set and promoted. This is the case with most current Veterans.

2. some of us say
"Sounds familiar! I think she/he was around!
Not sure how active, though, it's very vague.
We should wait for him/her to post some more"
OR
one of us could say "oh I remember him/her well!"
while others would say "no, I don't recall seeing them"
which is the case for most people who already applied but weren't promoted yet
(spoknot99, altoangelo, Nemesis, Ghost_1021, Major_Tumanov)

3. most of us would say "I don't really remember him/her. maybe they should go for Colonial instead" which is the situation for... well... not sure. but could be.

Ergo, it's a weird complicated system
Now I must beg of you: DO NOT be kiss-asses!
Don't try to suck up past your promotion.
But don't be a prick, be open and interactive.
Be honest, decent and post lots of pictures   

Don't aim for Paladin. Only very few remarkable modders and old VGU members have earned that status. If you're registered to the site, we probably already know and have promoted you on the spot. If you went under our radar, feel free to message me, asking about it, but it'll save us both an awkward conversation if you just post on the forums and allow us to pick up on your presence first. Paladins are dragbody, xxShepardxx, Cpt.Rex, Corehound, dazzerfong, Toxa01, the Sempai family and a few other renown members who have been great friends of the site or, most importantly, valuable family members to the VGU kin.
However, if your current and future activity, as well as fantastic mod releases, stand out among the rest like a blinding beacon of light, we will nominate you to this member group.

For Overseer you have to have forum managing experience or honest willingness, free time and a good reputation. There's a greater chance you become Colonial or Sentinel before Overseer, but just so it's clear, anybody can strive to become Overseer. It's a staff position, comes with a lot of responsibility but with a few perks too. So applications will be considered.

For Sentinel you have to be regarded as a very active and helpful member who is willing to take on some staff duties, with reduced responsibilities. Think of it like Sentinels are the Archer troops on the proverbial battlefield, providing back-up and cover for the Overseers, sometimes hitting a problem before Overseers get to them. You don't have to apply for this, you'll be nominated when you've fulfilled the requirements well enough and if we need to bulk up the ranks.

I hope this is sufficiently explained, as a preliminary breakdown.
Other additions or changes will be posted and updated here.

Best regards,
DVAted