Should ModDB review retail games?

Only games that were initially going to be a mod. Other then that a game modification website shoulden't spend time on reviewing retail games.

If it is moddable, then it is relavent to the community. Also, I like features.

'Only if the game was originally a mod before going retail.'

that option's a little useless; there are very limited mod popular games that fit into this.

first comment yay, but yes they should. nothing wrong with some extra artcles to read

If reviews focus on the modding capabilities of the game rather than how good a game it is I think it would make a good addition. This shouldn't mean we should expect a feature out the day after a game is released, it should only be written once the engine info and modding capabilities can be summarised, no more than a page should be dedicated to how good the game is as a whole (because this does affect the modability of a game, as there will be a smaller playerbase for a crappy game so there's less point in modding it).

Mods that become games are also of interest, moreso than independant games, although personally I'd be interested in that, too. Priority and focus should be given to moddable games over these other two, though.

As long as it doesnt impact anything else.

I think if a retail game is reviewed, a lot of focus should be placed on modding potential of the game.

they already are, though most of the reviews used to be copy and pastes *cough*izava*cough*

Perhaps somebody could do a review of Elder Scrolls: Oblivion once a bit more is known about it. Maybe a ModDB member who's keen on the Elder Scrolls series could submit his/her own views about the modability of the game to the editor.

likewise, i too agree with crispy

Yeah, that would be good, reveiws of new games modding tools. Like, the limits to it and what the engine handles best.

(he said "used to be")

I think that as long as the game is modable, than it should be reviewed and talked about here. I prefer games that can mod capable and something like this can give both myself and others a list of what's mod capable.

Maybe retail games should be reviewed on their level of moddability? It might help mod authors make an informed choice on what engine to base their mods on.

Maybe instead of doing retail games, or only ones that are moddable, they should do articles and reviews on the tools, information, and other resources provided for the game that allow it to be moddable. I know plenty of people who would be more into modding if they had an idea of what tools were out there for what games, and what manner they worked in compared to others, and other such things. A lot of people are just afraid to get into modding because they think it's complicated, and I think this way we can show them that it doesn't have to be.

reviewing modability is a very good idea although slightly difficult to achieve since it would take extensive research and testing

If games are reviewed it should be entirely about the ability to modify it, there are plenty of other places that can tell you if the game is any good. Not that reviewing really matters.

Perhaps the review should also include how easy it is to mod it? I dunno, just an idea.

I'm with Crispy (as well) in that reviews on this site of retail games, if they do happen, should focus on modding the engine more than just the game.

Personally, I think reviews of independent games would be fine also.

SDK reviews :)

Moddable games and ways they can be modded.