Getting Started with Mods tutorial

What is a mod?

Mod, short for modification is a term generally applied to a customised (or altered) computer game made by the general public. A mod can range from a total conversion with new gameplay, look and feel through to minor alterations which could include new models, weapons, maps etc. There are plenty of types and tons of styles, a mod can be anything the creators want it to be.

Purpose

The purpose of a mod is to change the game and add an extra dimension of replay ability and excitement. Mods have even being known to outshine the original game, and playing such a mod may become even more common than playing the unmodded original. They increase the lifecycle and sales of games, benefiting both the players and the publishers who both get more bang for their buck!

Types

Every mod is different, that's what is great about them. If you cannot find something you like, you are not looking hard enough.

Mods can be single player, multiplayer, first person shooters, real time strategies, comical, fun, realistic or serious - they can even combine all of these elements and more. Each has its own flavour, there are plenty to choose from and it is up too you, to find the mix you like.

Are they free?

Anyone who complains "nothing good in life is free" needs to be shown a few mods. In-general they are free, in-fact all are free, so get gaming and give as many as you can a shot. Of course a ton of effort goes into making a mod, all done for our benefit and entertainment, so show your support for the mod teams. Little things like participating in their forums, emailing feedback, becoming a developer and doing some work goes a long way. Get involved and who knows, you may even see some of your ideas make there way into a game!

Mod friendliness

Until recently, the majority of mods were made for First Person Shooters (such as Quake, Halflife, UT, Doom) since these games actively supported the modding scene, providing SDKs (software development kits) and development tools. Following the phenomenal success of mods such as Counter-Strike and Red Orchestra (which have since become standalone games), publishers have realised the value of mods and more and more games are opening up.

You can now find mods for Real Time Strategies such as Starcraft and C&C: Generals, mods for sport games such as Need For Speed and NBA Live. Even games such as Grand Theft Auto
which don't actively support mods, have been modded as crafty developers find a way around the restrictions, to change and improve the original game (but this is not encouraged!)

The mod friendliness still varies on a game-by-game basis, with games in the UT
line-up providing a scripting engine, which with very little work allows the game to be customized extremely efficiently. Others such as The Sims allow limited modifications such as changing a characters clothes and attributes but nothing else. Civilisation
is yet another game, which allows settings to be changed to manage the speed of units but very little else. Rest assured that all games listed on Mod DB are moddable in some form, so if you are interested - read on and get developing!

Mod DB

Mod DB has everything and anything related to mods covered. Whether you are interested in reading, discussing, developing or playing mods, we are a one stop site. So if you have not done so already sign up, join the community - and get involved. Oh, and if it is mods you are after, a great feature to get you started is our unique ModWatch (mw). Simply find mods which capture your attention, click the 'Watch' button, and let Mod DB do the hard work - notifying you each time they update!