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Nothing speaks to the power and flexibility of the PC platform quite like game modding. Dedicated groups of hardcore fans toil for months on end to bring us a massive offering of new gameplay modes, tweaks, rebalances, texture packs, content packs, and total conversions that improve, expand, and transform the games we love.
Ok, so 90% of mods are still about furries, 3d porn, and sticking Mario's head on Darth Vader's body. But when not about lust or rampant copyright infringement, mods offer some of the most unique and interesting content in gaming. Here are some of our favorite mods from recent gaming history.
Have a favorite mod/tweak/total conversion you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments!
Comments are closed on this article
n1ghtsn1p3r
November 19, 2011 at 10:17pm
I highly doubt that we will see a UI from DarN for Skyrim. He disappeared in December 2010, so his UI for New Vegas still isn't finished. Nobody seems to know what happened to him :(.
Edit: Nevermind, he finally came back. I just saw some posts of his from the other day in the Skyrim modding section on the Bethesda forums.
mothrpe
November 18, 2011 at 8:17am
C'mon man, you can't forget the cinematic mod for half life 2! It's easily in the top 10 most impressive mods of all time.
www.cinematicmod.com
chart2006
November 18, 2011 at 7:41am
You didn't mention any of the original Diablo mods?! Oh the things you were able to do with mods in that game.
/Waiting on Diablo 3 (someday).
DanScharff
November 18, 2011 at 11:34am
I know there are tons of great mods for Diablo, but we were trying to focus more on modern games, like games (or at least new mod projects) from the last 3 years or so. DOTA and Garry's Mod were really just included for legacy's sake and cause they're now platforms unto themselves.
From everything we know so far about Diablo 3, it looks like mods are unfortunately out of the question.
Also, trees are awesome.
Torcflaed
November 17, 2011 at 10:17pm
the trees are mentioned because they are one of the most common things seen, the same mod that affects the trees affect the look of most of the game.
the first mods were just adjustments to the .ini file to improve the overall looks and playability as some users were having trouble with mouse lag.
However some of the die hard masters of Oblivion modding have found there is a lot that is similar in Skyrim so we are already seeing new image textures that can change the entire appearance of the objects or characters in the game.
there is now available a mod that adds a bar over the lock pick screen that simplifies lock picking, it really amazed me how simple that mod is so after virus checking it I tried it out, and it makes one of the most frustrating parts of games like this a breeze.
CatherineMcClarey
November 17, 2011 at 5:59pm
Planetfall is a total-conversion mod for Civ IV which is the closest thing to a remake of Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri (and its Alien Crossfire expansion) we're likely to see. It requires having Civ IV: Beyond the Sword installed on your computer, and it also helps if you've got the original SMAC & Alien Crossfire (since you can copy the SMAC sounds, music & voiceovers into Planetfall for a more immersive experience). It doesn't play exactly like the old SMAC (only some of the movies are used, and there doesn't seem to be a way to recruit land-based Planet lifeforms for your side), but it's as close as you'll get using the Civ IV engine. I've been playing a lot of it lately (not necessarily to completion, but randomized replays of the first 100 turns or so), and I love it almost as much as the original SMAC. Highly recommended for Civ fans who also love a good old-school SF strategy game.
kixofmyg0t
November 17, 2011 at 5:18pm
Mods for Skyrim in pursut of "perfectly rendered trees".....
Out of all the glorious mods that COULD happen they focus on how the trees look?
Yeah, I'm perfectly happy sticking to the console version.
Whatme45
November 17, 2011 at 10:22pm
I guess if you're gonna mod something you would like to see it more than once. I bet there is a thousand trees, they're every where. That small mod changed a large part of the game.
smashingpumpin
November 17, 2011 at 11:13pm
I don't own Skyrim or a fan of RPG's in general but why are you complaining about something that's given for free about a Mod that would change textures on something you would SEE QUITE OFTEN while playing the game? Who cares, it's F'n FREE!!!
http://kotaku.com/5859983/do-not-let-skyrim-overflow-your-ps3/gallery/1
-Pfft, I sure hope you don't own a PS3 for this game!
kixofmyg0t
November 18, 2011 at 3:41pm
I do have Skyrim for PS3.....and its currently collecting dust. I havnt noticed any problems with it. Im busy playing MW3 and Assassins Creed:Revelations so by the time I actually get around to picking it up again it will have been patched so I never will see the problem.
kujata
November 17, 2011 at 5:33pm
Considering the Creation Kit hasn't been released yet (and therefore makes it pretty much impossible to make any real mods), not really sure what you were expecting.
Check back in a few weeks.
kixofmyg0t
November 17, 2011 at 5:45pm
You are right I was expecting way more actually. I just don't understand the relentless pursuit of perfectly rendered trees.
I've never EVER played a game based on how good the trees look.....
DU00
November 17, 2011 at 6:04pm
I think what he was saying is that the modders can't do much past basic aesthetics (like the trees) because the mod tools aren't out yet. Hold your judgement for the mods until after the mod tools are out. For now that's all the modders have to tinker with.
kixofmyg0t
November 17, 2011 at 8:19pm
No i'm being serious. I seriously don't get why tree rendering is priority number 1....
I did expect a bit more....which in hindsight was I guess a bit harsh.
bling581
November 18, 2011 at 10:48am
Considering it's only been out for a little more than a week I'd say any mods at this point are awesome. A lot of the game is scenery so improving that has an impact.
Yeah, stick to your console version where you can't change anything! Great statement.
kixofmyg0t
November 18, 2011 at 3:36pm
It is a great statment. I dont care that I cant change how the trees look. Im happy with the game how it is. I dont need to mod it personally.
JcHc3in1
November 21, 2011 at 12:53am
How do you know you are "happy with the game how it is?" By your own admission you say it is "collecting dust" while you play other games. The game could be completely broken for all you know!
Just want to rant because you don't see a purpose behind more realistic rendered trees.
