Fireball7d7
I respect the effort you have put into this post, especially given my reputation, the least I could do is reciprocate that effort.
You nailed exactly what the situation is, really all I can add is regarding the sv_pure comment in paragraph 4.
sv_pure is a server setting that sets the expected type of acceptable customization. You got -1 and 0 correct, but something to consider is that sv_pure 1 and 2 are functionally identical (from the perspective of the game). 1 sets the pure mode to be 'custom', all that means is that the server owner provides a custom whitelist (sorta like weapon bans), while 2 is just setting that whitelist to the whitelist Valve provides (sv_pure_whitelist_full). This is to say that, any mod/preloader that was working previously on sv_pure 1, like the left hand fix for the original, horsie's custom viewmodels, or jarateking's flat textures, all would work on both sv_pure 1 and sv_pure 2 (even if the whitelist forbid them). My program isn't doing anything special regarding sv_pure levels. Referencing Modern Casual Preloader and QuickPrecache again, you could view my app as the third generation of mod loaders. It allows for further customization beyond what they provided by combining their methods, as well as my own, all into one package.
In terms of modability, the game stands in a weird place. There has been some effort by Valve, even recently, to remove the worst exploits, showing it's entirely possible to have this game in a state where mod compatibility exists while keeping integrity at a reasonable level. There's a lot of love in the modding scene, and it's refreshing to see how much effort people put into their work.
Initially, my goal with this project was to make the game less visibly annoying, you can see my vision if you use the Vanilla+ preset in the preloader. The fixes are so basic, that the mod does not contain any custom materials, modifying a couple minute values within the particle files makes the game better for everyone, and it makes me a little sad that it will never be in the game proper.
I completely agree with all of your opinions, be rest assured the potential consequences of such a tool are not lost on me. I do not protest my previous ban, and nothing here should have any influence on it.
MaehemThe only thing that is blatantly showing cheats is the thumbnail which has seemingly the same hud, and config which is way too much of a coincidence.
I got it from google images, I think that's hypnotize hud, I used toucahud/m0rehud in the video.