Many mods for many games have been created by players over the years. Some have taken just a few minutes, others have taken many hours, and even years to create. I see how modding gives experience to an aspiring video game designer or leisure to those who wish it, however, what are the real benefits of modding? Recognition from bethesda? Donations?

Please post any thoughts you may have on the topic

Giggles.

what's funny

i for one just enjoy it. For me, the benefits of modding are the same as drawing or writing :foodndrink:

It's fun? I don't know a single modder who doesn't enjoy his or her work at least most of the time. Why do people watch TV? Because they enjoy it. Why do you play Oblivion? Because you enjoy it. Why do modders mod? Because they enjoy it.

I thought so. But to devote so much time and effort amazes me.

Personally I do it to enjoy the game from a different aspect as they tend to have a lot of limitations or there's always a problem here or there that needs to be addressed, again speaking for myself when I first purchase a simulation or RPG first play through is always vanilla, through that I come across different different things that I believe can be improved or would be better if it worked in a different way and that's where the ''modding'' comes in to play. Take TES 4 for example, first time I played it (quite some years back now) was with official patches only, now I find it virtual impossible to play with out mods because it brings me a different style of game play to the vanilla style. In a nutshell modding gives me the option to create the type of of game that ''I'' want to play and that suites ''me''.
Again that's just my personal benefit of modding.

It's a hobby.

If you're in it for the fame or the money, modding is definitely not for you .

Same reason why someone Hot Rods their car, I simply do it because I desire perfection: http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae335/psychoeva01/ScreenShot0.jpg

It's a creative outlet.

Everyone does it just to confuse you. It's all a conspiracy.

This

Customisation, skill building and fun (at times).

Also the added perk of having your name known in the community is nice.

You can get that, somewhat - see the BethBlog. Really, really bad reason to be doing it though.


Illegal.


It's fun, it's challenging, it's interesting. It takes creative skill and imagination. You're a member of an awesome community.

Why does anyone do anything?

Here's my take on this: I can't say there's a REAL benefit in modding. It's more about choice to mod and the ability to do so.

For me, modding Oblivion is a hobby, a way for me to exercise and expand my game design skills, and maybe (just maybe) get some recognition for my creation. As an aspiring game designer, practice really helps.

The benefits of other people modding can clearly be seen in my heavily modded and greatly improved game. Thanks, all!

gothemasticator

I do it because I love it. Even if I couldn't share it I would still mod. It's a fantastic creative outlet and seeing my ideas come together before my eyes is a terrific feeling. :foodndrink: Would I love it if someone offered me a job doing this? HELL yes. :lmao: I dream of being payed to play and that's what modding is to me. Play time. Knowing the odds of that actually happening however does not deter me from doing it.

Like most if not all modders, I'm not doing it because I think I'll someday get paid for it. :dance:

Huh? I think most people who mod hardly get any recognition from anyone, seriously. Doing it for recognition is a pretty sure fire way to be dissapointed when your shiny release thread doesn't attract so much as a post in its first day. That happens pretty frequently to people.As stated: it's illegal to do this for money. And as the work *has* to be distributed for free, the odds of people donating anything noticeable just because they feel nice is incredibly slim.

It is a creative, challenging (which also means frustrating at times) and reasonably rewarding hobby, and there are some people I've come to enjoy working with. If it wasn't, I wouldn't be doing it, that's for sure.

Vac

"fringe benefits..." :violin: LOLOL

Some people get payed to hardboil eggs.
Some people get payed to blow them up in a microwave.
Still others get payed to come around and photograph the whole mess.
Some get payed to LOL.
While others pay to LOL.
Everytime I journey to the center of the universe, On top of the tallest tower in all the land, THERE stands my recognition, Visible to all the inhabitants of Nirn.
Have a coin beggar.

I did it.
And NO I'm not sharing it.

The gold is all mine.

http://i861.photobucket.com/albums/ab180/metallicow/RecognitionLOL.png

Me, luckily, I get payed to do what I enjoy...And go fishing. LOLOL
And sometimes I waste time playing a game or modding it. But it's fun and that is what matters.
You figure it out.

Metallicow

I can't stand it, I only do it because I'm blackmailed into it by Brumbek, whoops, now I'm in for it.

No, I do it because I was foolish enough to pick it up as a hobby, and now I'm addicted. Once you mod Oblivion, you can never turn back, they say. However, with the support of those around me, I'm sure I can beat this addiction.

It's a hobby. I do it for fun, and because the satisfaction of getting something working is pretty good. I'm a svcker for a challenge though. :shrug:

Technically we are forbidden to get any monetary gain directly from making mods.

Good modders often gain allot of respect for doing mods. From the general population at least.

Really though if you want recognition make a game yourself. Doesn't even have to be 3d.

The best advice I could give for someone trying to get into the game industry at a good game company is to build up a varied portfolio. Anything from sketches to full blown 3d models. Modding often helps in this regard as it allows you to build a decently presentable portfolio. Also be original "buster sword number eleven" is much less interesting than "Earth dragon-horse-anthropod thing."

This is coming from a guy who got laid off and is perfectly happy with the job he currently has as a live in techie/chef. Take it with a grain of salt sticks better to the wound that way.

This. Modding isn't done for (internet) fame or money, but because we find it fun to do. I like being able to think of a story or quest, fiddle around in the construction set and then see it come to live in the game. And then, after endless tweaking to perfection, sharing it so that other people can enjoy it too.


It's also the only creative outlet I'm actually good at.

Exactly. Plus it is the only creative outlet I have really stuck with, never even knew I had the patience to work on a project for over two years, usually after two weeks I have lost motivation. I liken modding to painting a picture, except this is even better as it is a 3D portrait.

I get the same benefits as I do from any of my creative outlets such as singing and dancing, except even more so, and it does filter into my real life giving benefits there, even just giving me something to be excited about and look forward to, but mostly the ability to visualize, create, plan, be a perfectionist in my work, gain emotional benefits such as peace and stress relief, ability to work at and solve problems. All the benefits any creative obsession outlet gives.

I would not want to make a living by working for a gaming company, that would be far too restrictive and svck all the fun out of it, as far as I can see.

You get a challenging Oblivion and a more Lore-correct one?