Modding
Modding is a hobby that involves knowings of programming, computer modelling, sculpting, painting, texturing, team management and collaborative work. Most part of the general public thinks that we can only do some sort of map editing and reskins.
That's completely wrong, nothing more far than that, a good modder is innovative, multidisciplinary and creative. We're also great gamers, and therefore, good play-testers and critical with our own work.
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Present of the Modding Scene
Until now this discipline has been almost ignored and labeled as illegal or childish, and we're lastly gaining the deserved respect.
This is also a playground for the future of great game artists in the industry. Lots of well known studios recruit us due our dilated experience in its own engines.
History
As early as the 1980s, computer game mods have also been used for the sole purpose of creating art, as opposed to an actual game. This can include recording in-game action as a movie, as well as attempting to reproduce real-life areas inside a game with no regard for game play value. See artistic computer game modification, machinima and demoscene.
Types
Total conversion
A total conversion is a mod of an existing game that (usually) replaces almost all of the artistic assets in the original game, and sometimes core aspects of gameplay, in some cases creating a game in a completely different genre from the original.
In some cases, the goal of a group that sets out to create a total conversion is to sell their end product, which necessitates the need to replace the original content to avoid copyright infringement.
Since most total conversions only share the engine in common with the original game, if the engine becomes Free Software, the total conversion can be playable without having to own the original game. A few examples of these include the Tremulous mod for Quake III Arena, A Path Beyond for Command & Conquer Renegade, the D-Day: Normandy mod for Quake II, and Counter-Strike and Frontline Force for Half-Life. Team Fortress, one of the most popular mods ever, was originally a Quake total conversion. It has been so popular that a sequel, Team Fortress 2, has been developed. Doom has also had its share of modifications, such as engine modifications like ZDoom and SkullTag.
Total overhaul
A total overhaul mod changes or redefines the gameplay style of the original game, while keeping it in the original game's universe or plot. This may include upgrading the graphics, adding new models to replace the original ones that are in line with the original game's plot, or changing the pace of how the game is played. Total overhauls are usually combined with significant add-on material as well.
Unofficial patch
An unofficial patch can be a mod of an existing game that fixes bugs not fixed by an official patch or that unlocks content present in the released game's files but is inaccessible in official gameplay. Such patches are usually created by members of the game's fan base when the original developer is unwilling or unable to officially supply this functionality.
Official status of mods
Due to the increasing popularity and quality of modding, some developers, notably Firaxis, have included fan-made mods in official releases of expansion packs.
