As a gamer, there are various aspects of a game that you can change or modify to create a better experience for yourself and it’s called modding. Modding started over 30 years ago and has advanced over the years. Today, mods can be created for any game like real-time games, role-playing games, and first-person shooters.
For instance, if you’re playing Grand Theft Auto 5, having modded GTA 5 accounts will greatly help you in playing a video game. There are also other multiple types of mods that are used in different video games and are according to different purposes. Some of these mods are total conversion, randomizer, overhaul, art mod, unofficial patch, user interface mod, and add-on.
You may be thinking of starting video game modding. This post is a quick guide to video game modding as it provides its definition, the steps involved, and the benefits. Keep reading to learn more.
What Is Video Game Modding?
Video game modding or modification is the process where you alter the aspects of a video game. It can either be the players, structure, or look, to mention a few. Modding a video game may seem complicated, but it’s not. The primary skill used in video game modding is coding. However, if you’ve skills in map designing, sound, and graphics, you can also mod a video game.
Using the named skills, there are steps that guide you on how video game modding is done. Below are some steps that you can use.
Steps Used In Video Game Modding
The following are steps you can follow in video game modding:
1. Choose the Video Game You Want to Mod
With more technological advancements, video games are also being advanced. For instance, there are more video activities, multiple assets, modification tools, more user customization features, add-ons, as well as more sub-games. These advancements have made some video games seem more complicated.
Therefore, since you don’t have much experience in video game modding, start with a simple video game. It’ll be easy to understand what you’re doing. Also, you can select a video game that offers its modification tools instead of outsourcing them.
2. Start with Baby Steps
Working with baby steps means you break your main goal into small goals that you can achieve one by one. Baby steps are encouraged because of their benefits, especially when working on something new. For instance, they prevent procrastination, help grow momentum, build your confidence, provide focus and clarity, as well as develop self-discipline.
These advantages also work for a video game modding beginner. As a beginner, you only have a little experience with coding and design. Therefore, working towards a total conversion can be too ambitious. Instead, you can start by working on simple modifications such as weapons used in the game or the texture. As time goes by and you better your skills, you can now advance the goals of video game modding you want to achieve.
3. Watch Video Tutorials
Even though you have the skills needed, it never hurts to increase your knowledge. The more knowledgeable you are, the more you understand what you’re doing. Thanks to technology, you can use video tutorials to understand better how to mod various aspects of a video game. These tutorials are available on YouTube and provide step-by-step instructions on what to do with game mods.
Furthermore, besides learning various steps, you can also use tutorials to learn new skills you can apply in video game modding. With the newly discovered skills, you can advance your simple modifications to more complicated ones.
4. Consider Being A Member of A Modding Community
Being in a similar environment with other people doing similar things to what you’re doing can be comforting and inspiring too. You’re assured that you’ll get the help you want and be motivated to achieve what the rest have.
As the name suggests, a modding community is a forum or network where mod enthusiasts come together to learn more about modding. You can also ask questions about video game modding as well as go through questions that have been asked before. That’ll help shed more light.
While at this step, you can also get guidance on the right mod type to use depending on what you want to modify. As previously mentioned, multiple mods are used in video game modding. To ensure you use the correct mod, you can ask questions concerning mod types in a modding community.
5. Have A Mod Manager
When starting, you want to know how different mods operate. Therefore, you may end up testing or running various mods simultaneously. However, it can be challenging to control all the mods since you still don’t have much experience. To make your work easy, you can use a mod manager.
A mod manager is an application that helps you control the mods you’re running. You can either update, enable, disable, or uninstall mods using the mod manager. Before you decide whether to disable or uninstall a mod, test it a couple of times to confirm the results you get are reliable.
Now that you have understood the above steps in starting video game modding, you can proceed to learn how video modding is beneficial.
Benefits Of Video Game Modding
The information below provides answers to the question, “Why should you mod?”
Increases Your Chances of Getting a Gaming Job
Getting a gaming job isn’t among the top reasons most people start game modding. However, as time goes by, you may increase your modding skills so much that you can even create a game. The experience and skills you acquire can help you stand out from other applicants if you decide to apply for a gaming job.
Fixing Non-Functioning or Broken Codes
Your gaming experience can be altered by a broken or non-functioning code. However, you can manage, debug, or fix broken code with various mods. As a result, you’ll have a smooth gaming experience.
Add Life to Outdated Games
Like other trends, video games can be famous before they become outdated. These games are replaced by new ones that look better, more interesting, and more fun to play. Luckily, with gaming mods, you can adjust texture, lighting, and resolution, to list a few. As a result, you’ll make an outdated game look newer and more realistic.
Wrapping It Up!
Technology has made it possible to modify the games you enjoy playing such that you can create a better experience for yourself. This modification is what’s called a modification. Using various mods, you can change multiple aspects of a game to your preference. What you need are coding skills. Design and graphics skills can also come in handy. This article discusses the steps used in video game modding. Therefore, if you’re a beginner in modding, you can use this article to understand where to begin.
Also Read: Counting Down The 10 Best Video Game Controllers To Enhance Your Gaming Experience
