In a few months time, the current Mod DB v3 site will be two years old, and though it has served its purpose well (it brought in tabbed profiles, added a bit of color to an otherwise gray site) – it is time to bring on the future in the form of Mod DB v4 codename CORE.
For the past 6 months the underlying infrastructure powering the current site has been re-jigged, re-thought and re-energized to create a site which we believe is as cutting-edge as some of the indie development projects listed here. Many radical new features and ideas have been implemented, while existing ones were improved. Allow me to explain some of the changes you can expect to see in the coming months:
- WEB2.0 - Though the web2.0 hype (AJAX, Blogs, Groups, Friends etc ) may sometimes feel like a load of nonsense, as a development based site we believe that collaboration and communication is a pivotal part of the design and build process. Therefore v4 has new tools in place which allow you to create groups, and privately (or publically) share news, updates, files, media etc. You will also be able to run a development blog, add friends – anything that helps you feel important.
- Better categorization – Standalone game developers rejoice, your creations will no longer reside in the mod list, instead they will be listed alongside the commercial games (HL, UT etc) where they deserve to be. This means that you can build a community around your game, accepting mods, addons, files etc.
- Greater depth of information – Ever wanted to know what games were created on what engine? V4 now supports game engine listings so you can see all the games made on Source, Crytek, UT3, etc. The addition of groups will mean that you can see all games, mods and maps made by mod teams, Valve etc. Best of all everything is smartly interlinked, so addons can be added to mods, mods can be added to games, games can be added to groups / engines and lastly these can be added to a game console!
- Console support – For a long time now we have wanted to support ALL development projects, from the PC to the PSP to the XBOX360. With companies like Epic announcing that mods made on UT3 will work on the PC and PS3 – a lot of exciting action is certain to happen in this space soon. Therefore we want to help these projects get the recognition they deserve, and have created a new interface which will facilitate this.
- Video support – It seems every site has a video player now and soon we shall too.
- Profile customization – Mod making is all about tweaking, changing and customizing a game, so we figured you should be able to customize your profile also, to fit the theme of your creation. After all you are the experts at design – so we cannot wait to see what you come up with.
- Feature focus – Post v4 launch, we plan on churning out interesting editorials covering the mod and game development scene. We will round up the hot news for you, and post some of our own – and give you something good to read at night!
These are just a handful of the changes we have made: in-place editing / browsing is another big feature in v4 which should make it easier to navigate and use the site; search will be sped-up; information will be laid out in an exciting new visual manner; you can watch members, mods, games, groups -- the list goes on. The problem with major change is that there still are many features listed here that have not been fully implemented (or working properly), which we want to trial out before they go live. This site is built for you, the developers and gamers, and we want to keep it that way – so if you are interested in viewing the closed beta and providing us with your feedback (we want to hear what you LOVE / HATE), please respond to this news post and you shall be notified in a few weeks – once the closed beta is ready.
The changes are radical, it will be a shock at first, but we believe you will love our ideas and hope that with your help we can take indie game development to the next level. Oh and finally - one of the things we are trying to do in v4 is show less ads (just better ones!) so if you have the time, give this survey a crack as the feedback will help us achieve this.
sign me up too, this old version is getting a bit boring
I'd love to participate. Count me in if there's still any room!
I RESPONDED
Looking forward to see the new features. I'm in
Why don't you ask: who doesn't want to test?
I think everyone is dyeing to see it ;)
Can't wait to see it online and running. Sounds promising.
Two thumbs up for v4.
Middle finger up for closed beta.
sign me up! :)
The changes u made this version were really great. I remember the previous version and even tho i heard of the site the layout wasn t great and i ignored it but when u updated the site i loved it! Bottem line u've done a great job with this version and the ideas u have in mind sound great so im sure this next version of moddb will be more fun, more helpfull and certainly more entertaining to browse.
i would also like a chance to test the new version, so if spots are still open for the closed beta, i would love to help out.
100th comment! still am i in yet?
I'd love a chance to check out the new design!
I'm in on this. Sounds awesome--I can't wait.
-LDM
I'd like to participate in this beta. Thanks.
Sign me up
:3
I would love to participate ;)
Sounds fun. Sign me up :)
Trying the beta out? Sure thing!
Leak us a link!
i want to see this sign me up! definatily sounds gd
the red looks cool. gives it a dangerous look grrr :D
Nice work guys! This website is already awesome enough for its moddy delight, but adding something to allow the developers to express themselves and not just their creations is a brilliant idea (I'm not a developer personally (yet, i need some more skills first)) but it does seem like an awesome idea :D
Just respond, eh? I'd love a chance to participate.
<-- betatests like everything...
anyway, nice stuff on the list... but will we get a new "not so red" theme? *g*
Cool, I can't wait!
Two years? It doesn't seem like that long!
Awesome can't wait :) sign me up.
yay for v4, nay for closed beta T_T
Looks intresting, does not feel like 2 years ago :D
Sure, ill participate.
I'm in :)
Wow, these features will make MODDB better and stronger. Nothing will ever be able to defeat moddb.
Not only will this make moddb stronger, it will help my modification alot as well.
I want in, badly. Thanks for your work MODDB!
Yea! I'd like to help make moddb better! :D I'm really curious how this great site will improve even more this time.
teh pone, jk i'd like to test =)
WOO HOO he got my video idea!
oh yeah .. forgot to mention feel free to set me up with beta access :D :D
I love to beta test... I want to Beta post...
So sign me up :) I want to see! Plus I can look for bugs :D
i love to help test it
I want to test. so very, very bad
I did love to give my feeedback on it, this website rocks :)
Count me in too! Would love to test out the new site!
Absolutely for this, can't wait to see all these features in here.... looks like you points from all the winning entries on the Mod Showcase design contest and refined them. Count me in!
=D
As long as the site is user friendly, uncomplicated and allows for a decent amount of customization as you have stated, it sounds great...
"Profile customization – Mod making is all about tweaking, changing and customizing a game, so we figured you should be able to customize your profile also, to fit the theme of your creation. After all you are the experts at design – so we cannot wait to see what you come up with."
You're killing me with awesomeness.
And by the way, I'd appriciate having a chance to help in the closed beta!
Exciting stuff! :D
Would love to test it. :)
count me in!
Will it be mainly gray with mod-specific banners on the top right? :p
My god, has it been that long?
I still remember exactly what V1 looked like..... time flies
Anyway, personally Im very exited about this!
No sneak peak screenshots? ! :P
Sounds awesome!
Wouldn’t mind helping out reporting bugs and such.