The Future of Mod Making
Chris "Mankovic" Stanley

I've been around the mod community for close to four years now, and things have started to change. PC games, and the tools used to shape them, are becoming more complex, both in scope and in application. With each new release we see a "ramp up" in the difficulty level associated with modifying a game's code and graphics.

I got the idea to write about this from attending the Mod Makers Roundtable at this years QuakeCon. Early on in the discussion, topics centered around general problems that most of the teams present have encountered at one time or another, from getting new talent to maintaining focus on current projects.

Enter John Carmack...

Carmack sat in on the last 20 minutes or so of the roundtable and added some interesting insight on how Id Software views the mod community overall.

The discussion turned to the tools used by mod makers, and how a company like Id could best serve the community. Carmack brought up the option of paying mod teams and then countered with the possibility of giving away the software tools as a means of support.

The term 'professional' was even applied when referring to certain mod groups and the amount of skill and talent that is now required to produce a quality mod.

After the roundtable, I was present as "Blix" from Team Evolve interviewed members of a certain mod team and asked why they chose to do what they do. Many of them expressed that they felt this was the only way to break into the gaming industry and saw no other way to make a name for themselves.

Blix relayed some of his experiences with Team Evolve and offered some advice for those looking for the limelight in the gaming industry. Most of the team being interviewed were faced with a reality check they had not planned for, and I could see an ego deflation taking place as Blix explained the harsh realities of being involved with a commercial venture such as the Zaero mission pack that he was a part of.

My personal view of the mod community is that the model now in place is best for the time being, that is: People will make mods for the games which they love to play, the cream of the crop will always float to the top, and those people responsible for making those mods will receive the much deserved kudos, as has been done in the past.

My question(s) to the readers of PlanetCrap is this:

As games get more and more complex, mod teams are faced with either packing up shop or hopping on the learning curve to become familiar with the new code and graphics abilities of a new and improved engine design.

If the mod community is to continue to flourish, do they get paid for their work, considering the amount of skill that will be required in future games? Or do companies like Valve and Id bring in top mod makers as a part of their own collective and give them open access to the professional tools they use themselves?

And most importantly, will those people who buy Quake4/5/6, etc, be able to walk into the community and make a mod without much effort? I'd like to think so, but I highly doubt it.