...I'm hoping you can at least do it the proper way. As excited as I am about Fallout 4, I can't help but fear the implications of Bethesda.net and what it means for the future of modding. Let's be honest here, paid mods are coming back, probably with the next Fallout. I think we can all agree that last time was an unmitigated disaster, and not only because it was forced upon an existing community. Now, I am not against the idea of modders getting rewarded for their efforts, and so I've come up with a short, non-exhaustive list of essential requirements for paid mods to be a win-win for everybody (users, modders and Bethesda, that is).

1. Do not kill third-party user content websites.
3. Do not allow the sale of patches and bugfixes.
2. Do not force us to sell our mods.
3. Allow us to donate to free mods.
5. Give modders a fair share of the profits (at least 50%).
6. Implement stringent quality control systems for paid mods.
7. Last but not least, allow us to pay a one-time fee (say, 45-60$) for unlimited access to paid mods.

That last one is especially important for us heavy mod users, who often juggle with +100 mods at a time and change about half of them every playthrough (not to mention the incompatibilities and conflicts that inevitably arise when you play any game with a large number of mods). Microtransactions might be the way to go for the occasional mod user, but please give the rest of us a realistic way of enjoying large amounts of user-created content as we used to.

Mods are a big part of all Bethesda games. Please don't take them from us.

Thank you,

-A concerned fan and small-time modder

I don't think paid mods are returning ever again from the huge backlash that happened in April 2015 with the PC version of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim's paid mods on the Steam Workshop. The backlash might be worst if Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios brought back paid mods for the PC version of Fallout 4.

It feels like they're sussing it out at the moment nearly had a heart attack a couple of times when it sounded like they were going to announce it, I have a feeling bethesda.net might in the future include paid mods...I'm just really cynical since the whole incident...

They heavily implied they would attempt it again with a new game. Fallout 4 is almost certainly that game.

Please god no, do not reintroduce paid mods. Never. Ever. Please.

Meh. I'm wondering how long it will take modders to start reskinning other people's mods, making them intentionally incompatable without "Mod Patch Mods" and generally going EA on the community.

VALVe said it on the Steam Workshop section as a announcement. Not Bethesda Softworks and Bethesda Game Studios.

VALVe said they felt something good was in there for the paid mods, but PC gamers don't want it.

There are a VERY few mods I have used that I'd be willing to pay for, and I'd happily pay for them. What I don't want to see is any system that would result in wrecking the current system of free mods.

Their exact words....

That said I don't like the look of this http://www.bethblog.com/2015/06/15/coming-soon-bethesda-net/

"revamped community forums, and powerful tools for sharing game stats and content"

I think paid mods was one of the motivations behind Bethesda.net, but I also think they must be pretty gun shy about actually implementing it.

I doubt there's anything to worry about on this front.

They rolled back because of the backlash. They will probably return in some other ways.

However majority of the fears are groundless. First of most mods are simple tweaks not something anybody will take payment or pay for.

Require payment for mods will be very hard, only way to implement this will be drm on the esp files. first it will make cooperative work or beta testing by other very hard, making it hard to make large quality mods who are the obvious target marked here, second drm on data files always fail.

Driving the moding community underground will backlash, easy mods has probably reduced the piracy of Skyrim a lot, same with SKSE don't work on hacked games.

I think you're probably right, they'd have to be insane to try that one on again.

[censored]. PAID. MODS.

Don't make us have to reignight the civil war. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN4taVVTUYw

Hopefully they actually do it properly this time; which I have hope due to them having Bethesda.net becoming a thing. They had basically sprawled it out as if it came to their minds and thought using a third party to do such was a wonderful idea; which only made it look like it came to their minds of late & was poorly executed. Though at bare minimum they need to allow for 50% of the profits to return to the modification maker as any less is a slap in the face. Though 75% preferably so that those who do invest months, and years, into projects may see some returns.

Hopefully though they will act as if they are there for those legally. If someone takes their work, copies it, slightly alters it, & tries to sell it on their site they need to show they take swift, correct, & harsh action upon those individuals. Last time it seemed like Valve & Bethesda were absent the entire time & went with the blind chaos route; let the [censored] settle & then stand up. I hope they do bring it back I really do, but they damn well be willing to be heavily active in it for it to work. Even better if they offer tools and software to take care of the possible legal issues of using software & tools with non-commercial licenses. Unlikely but hopeful.

The only reason it was a mess to begin with was due to the massive holes in how it was supposed to work; if they iron those legal & non-legal issues out it will work. Besides they can simply mute & censor those against it to stop the insured harassment.

As good as Fallout 4 is. We haven't forgotten. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comicsandcosplay/comics/critical-miss/14025-Bethesda-s-Ace-in-the-Hole

I don't see the issue when those who use modifications being against those who wish to sell their work is. Only one has the option to sell the work if available to do so; not the other.

: )

I'm a PC gamer who is a modder and I see a lot of issues with mods being sold.

I do not believe in getting paid for making mods either. I want all PC gamers to enjoy mods for free. Including mine if I ever release them to the public to download.

Maybe we could sell their work too! A reskin here, and extra shader here and presto! Original content!

This, allowing any moder to demand payment for anything would not work well.

That if the mod did not work or even was gamebreaking for one. what if moder used others content.

Bring me back to 3rd part DLC as an alternate model. This is not open for anybody and mods are reviewed before accepted. Benefit is that you get featured.

This has benefits in bringing new stuff on stuff who is on the upper edge of that moders have capacity to do today.

it also enables them to bring this 3rd party dlc to consoles.

I actually hope paid mods will return, but then to live side-by-side with a free modding community.

If you as a modder want to give away what you've created, fine, if you want a small amount, that's fine too. If Bethesda and Valve listens to some of the constructive criticism that has been voiced, this can work out. A paid modding system will have to be fair and heavily curated, with relatively low prices, so gamers can still afford to use and test many mods. Not all modders have great jobs on the side, and a paid modding system can help keep some talent around, instead of loosing it to [censored] jobs...or game dev jobs. As it is now, modders put in thousand of hours, and can't expect anything in return. Donations is equal to nothing for most modders.

Those few nickles and dimes that are donated as of now, are donated by those people who are supportive and giving by nature. I think it would be a lot more fair that when it comes to money, also the entited, rude gamers would have to pay up. A paid modding system with a small, flat price is fair and equal for everyone.

I'm glad someone understands. : )

High quality content is something difficult to come by. Add that as a pre-requisite & we will not see petty modifications that offer little to nothing to the game. However expansion pack sized content is something that is worth money. Not so much a golden ass plate on our power armour or a Futurama Bender power armour suit. Those items should always be free as anyone who dedicates an hour, with the proper experience to it, can pull it off & is thus not worth a nickle. Though the only thing we would have to fear is Bethesda's quality control going the way of Steam & the Dodo.